• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.191-204
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medicine treatment on chronic pelvic pain with gynecological diseases. Methods: Three female patients with gynecological diseases who suffered from chronic pelvic pain got Korean medicine treatment such as Boheo-tang-gagambang, acupuncture, Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, fumigation therapy with Hyeonhosaek-tang and Sasangja-tang and physiotherapy during hospitalization. Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) of pains and percentage of other symptoms were measured every morning. Results: In three cases, after 9, 15, and 22 days of treatment in each case, pelvic pain decreased by more than 50% and other symptoms were also improved. Conclusions: These cases showed that Korean medicine treatment of chronic pelvic pain with gynecological diseases was effective for alleviating symptoms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6071-6074
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• 2014

Background: Evidence suggests that the rs11615 (C>T) polymorphism in the ERCC1 gene may be a risk factor for gynecological tumors. However, results have not been consistent. Therefore we performed this meta-analysis. Methods: Eligible studies were identified by search of PubMed, MEDLINE and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess associations between rs11615 (C>T) and gynecological tumor risk. Heterogeneity among studies was tested and sensitivity analysis was applied. Results: A total of 6 studies were identified, with 1,766 cases and 2,073 controls. No significant association was found overall between rs11615 (C>T) polymorphism and gynecological tumors susceptibility in any genetic model. In further analysis stratified by cancer type, significantly elevated ovarian cancer risk was observed in the homozygote and recessive model comparison (TT vs. CC: OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.03-2.77, heterogeneity=0.876; TT vs. CT/CC: OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.07-2.77, heterogeneity=0.995). Conclusion: The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that there is no significant association between the rs11615 (C>T) polymorphism and gynecological tumor risk, but it had a increased risk in ovarian cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2597-2603
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• 2016

Ovarian cancer is a highly malignant neoplasm with high mortality rates. Research to identify markers facilitating early detection has been pursued for many years. Currently, diagnosis is based on the CA 125 and HE4 markers, as well as the ROMA algorithm. The search continues for new proteins that meet the criteria of good markers A total of 90 patients were included in the present study, allocated into: group 1, ovarian cancer, with 29 patients; group 2, endometrial cysts, with 30s; and group 3, simple ovarian cysts, with 31. Following histopathological verification, the CA 125, HE4, and metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) levels were determined and the ROMA algorithm was calculated for all patients. The mean concentrations of all determined proteins, CA 125, HE4, and MMP3, as well as the ROMA values, were significantly higher in group 1 (ovarian cancer) compared to group 3 (simple ovarian cysts). The highest significant differences for the CA 125 levels (p<0.000001) and ROMA (p<0.000001) values were observed in postmenopausal women. For HE4, statistical significance was at the level of p=0.00001 compared to p=0.002 for MMP3. For the differentiation between ovarian cancer and endometrial cysts, the respective AUC ratios were obtained for CA 125, HE4, and MMP3 levels, as well as the ROMA values ( 0,93 / 0,96 / 0,75 / 0,98). After removing the post-menopausal patients, the MMP3 AUC value for ovarian cancer vs. benign ovarian cysts increased to 0.814. For post-menopausal women, the MMP3 AUC value for ovarian cancer vs. endometrial cysts was 0.843. As suggested by the results above, both the CA 125 and HE4 markers, as well as the ROMA algorithm, meet the criteria of a good diagnostic test for ovarian cancer. MMP3 seems to meet the criteria of a good diagnostic test, particularly in postmenopausal women; however, it is not superior to the tests used to date.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4203-4206
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the predictive role of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for invasion of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 127 women who were managed at our clinic for GTD. Of all patients, 8 showed invasion according to histological examination. The clinical parameters of patients with invasive GTD (Group 1; n=8) were compared with patients who showed no invasion (Group 2; n=119). All underwent a prior uterine evacuation and followed up by regular assessment of ${\beta}$-hCG titers. Results: Demographic and obstetric history and pre-evacuation hCG levels of the patients showed no statistically significantly difference between the groups (p>0.05). The mean gestational weeks (GW), size of the GTD and NLR levels were statistically significantly higher in the invasive GTD group (p<0.05). Correlations between invasion and gestational weeks, size of GTD, post-evacuation chemotherapy and NLR were evident. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that GW, size of GTD and NLR may be discriminative parameters in predicting invasion of GTD. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the predictive role of NLR in invasion of GTD. In conclusion, we think that pretreatment NLR can be used as a biomarker of invasion in GTD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2547-2554
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate the perception of cancer patients toward treatment services and influencing factors and to inquire about the use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Materials and Methods: Information was obtained through pre-tested structured questionnaires completed by cancer patients during treatment at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Of 242 patients, 137 (64.6%) accepted to enter this study. Most were Saudi (n=93, 68%), female (n=80, 58%), educated at university (n=71, 52%), married (n=97, 72%) and with breast cancer (n=36, 26%). One-hundred (73%) patients were satisfied with the services provided; 61% were Saudi. Ninety-four (68%) respondents were satisfied with the explanation of their cancer. Twenty-eight (21.6%) patients received CAM, of them 54.0% received herbal followed by rakia (21.0%), nutritional supplements/vitamins (7.0%) and Zamam water (18.0%), with significant differences among them (p =0.004). Seven (5%) patients believed this therapy could be used alone; 34 (25%) patients believed it could be used with other treatments, regardless of whether they themselves used this therapy. Fifty-three (53%) satisfied patients felt they received enough support; 31 (58%) patients received support from family and friends; 22 (41.6%) patients received support from the health-care team. Patients who received information about their disease from their physicians and those who felt they had enough support were more satisfied. The patients who took alternative treatment were older age, mostly female and highly educated but values did not reach significance. Conclusions: We stress enhancing the educational and supportive aspects of cancer-patient services to improve their treatment satisfaction and emphasize the need for increasing the educational and awareness programs offered to these patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

Background: To investigate the impact of ovarian transposition (OT) on survival rates of the patients with stage Ib squamous cell cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Ninety-two subjects who underwent a radical hysterectomy including oophorectomy were evaluated. For nineteen (20.7%), OT was performed. Patients were divided into two groups, OT versus oophorectomy alone. The primary end-point of this study was to investigate the impact of OT on tumor recurrence rate and time, 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). These comparisons were performed for subgroups including patients who received radiotherapy versus who did not. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Chi-square test, T-test and Mann-Whitney test. OS was examined using the Kaplan-Meier method. $P{\leq}0.05$ was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The median follow-up period was 89 months for OT and 81 months for the oophorectomy group (p>0.05). Both groups experienced similar recurrence rates (31.6% vs. 26.4%, p=0.181). The median duration from surgery to recurrence, and surgery to death were also similar between the groups (p>0.05). The 5-year DFS and OS rates were both 68.4% for the OT group, and 73.6% and 77.8% for the oophorectomy group (p=0.457 and p=0.307, respectively). While the 5-year DFS rate was not statistically significant between the OT and oophorectomy groups who did not receive radiotherapy (p=0.148), the 5-year OS rate was significantly higher in the oophorectomy group (95.4% vs 66.7%, respectively) without radiotherapy (p=0.05). The 5-year DFS and OS rates were statistically similar between the groups who received adjuvant radiotherapy (p>0.05). Conclusions: Ovarian transposition has not significantly negative effect on the survival rates when adjuvant radiotherapy will be applied, while 5-year OS may be less in OT group if radiotherapy is not mandatory.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.942-949
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to investigate the knowledge and learning needs of chemotherapy in gynecological cancer patients. Method: The subjects consisted of 103 gynecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy from April 2005 to August 2005. Data was collected using a questionnaire about knowledge and learning needs of chemotherapy. The data was analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient using SAS. Result: Average scores of knowledge and learning needs of general treatment and care were 2.74, and 3.30 respectively. Average score of knowledge and learning needs of chemotherapy were 2.54 and 3.23 respectively. Learning needs of general treatment and care and of chemotherapy were significantly different in relation to marital status, educational level, family support, the operation, and the amount of chemotherapy received. Items with the highest level of learning needs were the symptoms of recurring illness of general treatment, and minimizing side effects of chemotherapy. There were a negative correlation between knowledge and learning needs on general treatment and a positive correlation between knowledge and learning needs on chemothearpy but there were not significant statistically. Conclusion: The level of learning needs related to cancer treatment was high, whereas, that of knowledge was low. Therefore, when designing an educational program for gynecological cancer patients, understanding of learning needs is necessary. Also, consideration of a patient's characteristics, and a systematic and detailed educational program should be provided.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.290-298
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was to measure the quality of life(QOL) and to identify the related factors in gynecological cancer patients during chemotherapy. Method: The subjects of this study were the patients who had undergone a hysterectomy and were admitted for chemotherapy at S university hospital between November 2006 and April 2007. Data was collected from 106 gynecological cancer patients with the use of a structured questionnaire which measured the QOL(FACT-G), body image, the presence of anxiety & depression, uncertainty, and family support. The data was analyzed by the SPSS win 12.0 program. Results: The mean FACT-total score was 62.1$({\pm}16.7)$ (range; 26-107). Positive correlations were found between QOL and body image(r= .67, p= .00), and QOL and family support(r= .32, p= .00), whereas there were negative correlations between QOL and anxiety(r= -.54, p= .00), QOL and depression(r= -.70, p= .00), and QOL and uncertainty(r= -.59, p= .00). Fifty seven pre cent of the variance in subjective overall QOL can be explained by depression, body image, and uncertainty(Adj $R^2$= .57, F=47.00, p= .00). Conclusion: Our patients had a relatively low QOL score. Factors significantly affecting quality of life were depression, body image and uncertainty. Nursing interventions, therefore, should be focused on improving QOL in gynecological cancer patients during chemotherapy, particularly so in patients with depression, uncertainty or poor body image.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.311-314
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• 2016

Background: Nurses play an important role in preventive medicine because they represent the largest sector of health professionals. This role is very crucial in developing countries, which are going through rapid societal and economic changes, associated with a rising burden of cancers due to different risk factors. The current study aimed to compare health awareness between nurses and healthy women regarding preventive gynecological examinations and to answer the question - can nurses make a difference in women's health? Materials and Methods: This cross sectional research included a total of 150 women, 70 nurses and 80 healthy women, randomly selected. Data were collected in 2014 in Vlora city through a self-administered questionnaire that assessed different variables about preventive gynecological examinations. Results: Cervical screening rates were 20.3% and 41.8%, respectively, for nurses and healthy women, despite the former having a statistical significant greater knowledge of risk factors and symptoms. Conclusions: Even if the health awareness of nurse participants can be considered good, they need themselves to increase participation rates in cervical screening if they are to provide role models for health education/promotion addressing misconceptions and barriers.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-96
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was to investigate clinical usage of Guibi-tang based on actual application in obstetrics and gynecology. Methods: This study investigated the number of patients who were prescribed Guibi-tang-gami-bang and what herbal medicines were adjusted according to their chief complaint from January 1st, 2007 to August 31th, 2008. Results: The number of patients who were prescribed Guibi-tang for obstetrics and gynecological diseases at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was 721. Guibi-tang has been used to treat menstrual irregularity, postpartum general weakness, postpartum pantalgia, perimenopausal symptoms and postmenopausal syndrome most frequently. And Guibi-tang has been widely used in obstetric and gynecologic diseases such as general weakness after abortion or gynecological surgery, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, uterine myoma, endometriosis, infertility, premenstrual syndrome, urinary incontinence and breast disease. Conclusions: Guibi-tang can be used in obstetric and gynecologic diseases as described in classical oriental medicine literatures, and it is necessary to research clinical usage of Guibi-tang through randomized controlled trial.