• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Cancer is the disease of aging and Korea is one of the fastest aging country in the world. Older patients have decreased organ function and stress tolerance, therefore are at high risk of functional decline and developing complication from cancer and cancer treatment. Before beginning cancer treatment, it is important to assess patients' life expectancy, whether the patient is likely to die of cancer or of other comorbidity, and also the risks with cancer treatment. In order to estimate patient's physiologic age, it is recommended to perform geriatric assessment and implement appropriate geriatric intervention together with meticulous supportive care, when planning cancer treatment for older patients. In a resource limited country such as Korea, two step approach of applying screening tool followed by geriatric assessment can be more efficient. Geriatric assessment is used to predict toxicity from cancer treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, predict survival, and also to aid treatment decision. Number of randomized trials are ongoing to compare usual care versus oncogeriatric care, and with these results we expect to improve outcome of older patients with cancer.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 1998

Objectives: Deletion in the short arm of chromosome 3 is common in many human cancers, including sporadic and hereditary renal carcinomas, small cell lung carcinomas, non-small cell lung carcinomas, and carcinomas of the ovary, breast, and cervix. A high frequency of chromosomal aberrations in head and neck cancers involving chromosome 3p has also been reported. These findings suggest that multiple tumor suppressor genes may be present on the short arm of chromosome 3. Materials and Methods: To investigate the possibility of chromosome 3p deletions in the Korean head and neck cancer patients, we applied a polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis to the DNA samples of matched normal mucosa and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas from 19 patients. Results: In the 19 normal samples heterozygosity at the polymorphic loci varied: 6 at the D3F15S2 locus(on telomeric 3p21), 2 at the D3S32 locus(on centromeric 3p21), and 4 at the THRB locus(on centromeric 3p24). In 12 matched carcinoma specimens, LOH(loss of heterozygosity) was observed at D3F15S2 in 1 of 6(17%), D3S32 in 1 of 2(50%), and at THRB in 2 of 4 cases(50%). Conclusion: The frequency of chromosome 3p deletion in the Korean head and neck carcinomas appear as other country did.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.611-616
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• 2009

Purpose: The rate of fistulas occuring followed by resection of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer are reported to be 9 ~ 23% according to various documents. Neglected treatment of the fistula can result in a setback in proper treatment with restrictions in oral intake leading to delayed return to daily life. Furthurmore, in severe cases, it may injure important vessels and adjacent structures of the neck area. The author reviewed previously reported cases of treatment methods for fistulas recurring after diverse head and neck operations and with sharing the treatment experiments of our patients, we tried to present a treatment algorism for different fistula types. Methods: Our study was based on retrograde analysis of 64 patients who were clinically diagnosed with fistula after operation for cancer of the head and neck from 1997 to 2008 at Severance Hospital. Their primary sites of cancer were 8 oral cavity, 22 oropharynx, 25 hypopharynx, and 9 larynx. The patients were aged 45 to 75 years and the male to female ratio was 11 to 1. The patient's operation records and progress notes were evaluated for determination of degree of fistula and treatment methods. Results: Most fistulas were clinically suspected after postoperative 5 days and symptoms noted for detection of the fistula were erythema, purulent discharge, edema, tenderness, and fluctuation. The fistula was definitely diagnosed at postoperative 2 weeks with barium test and treatment method ranging from conservative management to operative procedure were applied to each patients. Total 21 patients were managed with conservative protocol. In 15 cases, direct repair of the fistula was done and more stable repair of the fistula was possible with using of TachoComb$^{(R)}$. Pharyngostoma was performed in 14 patients. Among them, 4 patients healed spontaneously, 5 patients were taken direct closure, 4 patients were taken pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap, and one patient was taken esophageal transfer. The other 14 patients were taken 11 pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps and 3 free flaps without pharyngostoma formation. Conclusion: Fistula is a troublesome complication resulting after resection of head and neck cancer. Early detection and adequate treatment according to the period and condition of the fistula may prevent further complications and reduce the pain of the patient.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2011

Paraganglioma is a relatively rare, generally benign and slow growing tumor arising from widely distributed paraganglionic tissue thought to originate from the neural crest. In the head and neck region, paraganglionic tissue is distributed in the superior and inferior paraganglia such as the carotid body, the vagal body, and the jugulotympanic region. Approximately 10% of patients with paraganglioma have a family history of such tumors. Multiple lesions can be found in 26% of patients with family history. It is important to distinguish between paraganglioma and atypical carcinoid tumor and medullary thyroid cancer. This can be done with histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical markers. Complete excision is recommended for the treatment of this tumor. Paraganglioma is particularly aggressive and rapid recurrence of paraganglioma is common after local resection. We present a case of malignant paraganglioma in the neck which recurred 2 months after local resection. We suppose that radiation therpay could be the last option for the treatment in this clinical setting.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2008

Purpose: Microvascular reconstructive surgery has become an integral part of the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. This review of 121 free flaps for head and neck cancer patients performed over the last 11 years was done to evaluate circulatory crisis, salvage, and secondary reconstruction and to investigate which factors may contribute to these rates. Method: Nine emergent explorations among 121 head and neck reconstruction with free flaps were reviewed to analyze detection of vascular crisis, the time interval from detection of circulatory crisis to exploration, operation procedures and results, and secondary reconstructions. Emergent exploration was done with our protocol. Result: Nine free flaps exhibited signs of vascular problems between 1 day and 6 days postoperatively. The emergent exploration rate of this series was 7.4% (9/121). The salvage rate was 55.6% (5/9), giving an overall flap viability of 96.7% (117/121). In our study, preoperative radiation therapy, positive smoking history, alcohol consumption history, combined disease such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, recipient vessels and types of vascular anastomosis were not related to the causes of circulatory crisis. The mean time interval between the onset of clinical recognition of impaired flap perfusion and re-exploration of the salvaged 5 flaps was 3.2 hours, that of failed 4 flaps was 11.25 hours. Conclusion: Despite high overall success rate, relatively low salvage rate may be attributed to late detection of circulatory crisis and in long time interval between detection and exploration. We conclude that early detection of circulatory crisis and expeditious re-exploration are a matter of great importance for the success of salvage operation.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2002

Purpose : To observe changes in side effects and fatigue of the cancer patients receiving radiation therapy on the head/neck and the chest over a period from the start to the end of the therapy, and to analyze correlation between side effects and fatigue. Method : Twenty seven patients receiving radiation therapy 5 days per week for longer than 6 weeks participated in the present study. Fatigue was measured for when healthy, before-, and after-therapy. Side effects was surveyed by structured questionnaire on the last day of each therapy. Result : The results of this study were as follows. 1. Major side effects of the head/neck patients were skin irritation, change of taste, sore throat and xerostomia, while the chest patients experienced fatigue, skin irritation, anorexia, difficulty swallowing and cough increased with therapy. 2. Although fatigue was significantly changed for when healthy and before-therapy (F=60.25, p <.05) and also for before- and after-therapy, no statistical significance was demonstrated in fatigue of both the chest head/neck patients (p> .05). 3. Fatigue and side effects showed high correlation form the 4-th week with after the therapy Conclusion : The present results could be of great use to develop systematic intervention technique, leading to practical help for patients, since side effects and fatigue change to a large degree depending on the disease and the timing and technique of the therapy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2017

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer globally with high morbidity and mortality. Immune surveillance is well recognized as an important mechanism to prevent development or progression of HNSCC. HNSCC can escape the immune system through multiple mechanisms including development of tolerance in T cells and inhibition of T-cell-related pathways, generally referred to as checkpoint inhibitors. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated a clear advantage in advanced HNSCC patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade. Right at the front of the new era of immunotherapy, we will review current knowledge of immune escape mechanisms and clinical implication for HNSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1683-1686
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• 2012

In the present case control study mRNA expression of the GSTP1 gene, encoding a phase II enzyme that detoxifies via glutathione conjugation, was investigated using semiquantitative PCR followed by SSCP for 49 confirmed head and neck (HN) cancer and 49 control samples. It was found that GSTP1 was upregulated in significantly higher number of cancers (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.2-15.3). Grade wise correlation was also observed with more up regulation in patients with more advanced grades of HN carcinomas. We also found that 5 patients showed variation in mRNA with a larger product size than expected. Sequencing revealed insertion of an intronic segment between the $6^{th}$ and $7^{th}$ exon of the GSTP1 gene. Germline screening was performed showing mobility shifts which suggested mutation at the DNA level resulting in intronic portion retention. This study is of prime importance for drug design and treatment selection to overcome increased resistance of HN cancers to drugs due to alteration in the GSTP1 gene.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.189-199
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• 2004

Purpose: Despite the small incidence, head and neck cancer may cause a wide range of physical transformation by surgical operation, damage to active functions such as eating and speaking. It may provoke hopelessness, change self-esteem and self-concept after its operation, influencing the quality life of head and neck cancer patients. Thus nursing intervention should be developed to provide supportive nursing for head and neck cancer patients and play roles as competent supporters. Methods: This study was a nonequivalent, control group, pretest-posttest, non-synchronized quasi-experimental research designed to determine how supportive nursing intervention effects on hopelessness, self-esteem and self-concept of head and neck cancer patients. Subjects of the study included 40 adult inpatients of K University hospital in Pusan who were diagnosed as having head and neck cancer and operated. They were divided into experimental and comparison groups, each consisting of 20 members. The data were collected during the period from December 1, 1999 to April 11, 2000. Tools of the study included the protocol of supportive nursing intervention which was developed by researcher by means of reference, literal review and expert's advice. The measurement tool of hopelessness was translated by Won was the device of hopelessness self-evaluation from Beck, the tool for self-esteem measurement was developed by Rosenberg and translated by Kim, and the device of self-concept used by Lee et al, modified by Lee were used respectively. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/PC 9.0 program. The homogeneity of the subjects were tested using $x^2-test$ and t-test. 3 hypotheses were tested using t-test. Results: The results of the study can be summarized as follows. 1. The third hypothesis that the experimental group receiving supportive nursing intervention showed a little hopelessness than the control group not receiving supportive nursing intervention was supported (t=4.550, P=.000). 2. The third hypothesis that the experimental group receiving supportive nursing intervention showed more self-esteem than the control group not receiving supportive nursing intervention was supported (t=-6.40, p=.000). 3. The third hypothesis that the experimental group receiving supportive nursing intervention showed more self-concept than the control group not receiving supportive nursing intervention was supported (t=-6.065, P=.000). Conclusion: Supportive nursing intervention was effective nursing intervention strategy for reducing hopelessness and increasing self-esteem and self-concept of head and neck cancer patients. Then the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients can be enhanced by providing supportive nursing intervention in nursing practice.

• 대한두경부종양학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.233-233
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• 2004