• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 1992

In patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers who do not respond to induction chemotherapy and who have locoregional recurrence after local treatment subsequent radiotherapy alone does not have any additative effect. The theoretical rationale and promising clinical response of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with the head and neck cancers have been recently conducted Ten patients(9 stage IV, q stage III) were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy(radiotherapy start from day 1 of chemotherapy; cisplatin $100mg/m^2$ intravenously every 3 weeks for $3{\sim}4$ cycles on day 1.22 and 43..). Four patients achieved complete response(CR) and overall response rate was 80% (8/10). The major toxicities we re leukopenia (90%), nausea/vomiting(80%), stomatitis(80%) and peripheral neuropathy(30%). Most of these side effects were mild to moderate and reversible.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4723-4726
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• 2015

Background: The survival of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer is low amongst head and neck cancer cases. The incidence rates of hypopharyngeal cancers in our population are amongst the highest in the world and there are limited data available on the literature on varied responses to first course of treatment with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in our population. Materials and Methods: Clinical characteristics and initial responses to treatment in patients who had received radiotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy in a regional cancer center from January 2010 to December 2013 were evaluated. The data were obtained from the hospital cancer registry, and analysis was carried using descriptive statistics. Pearson's chi-square was used to test for differences in the variables and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 554 patients were included in the analysis, 411 (74.2%) receiving RT and 143 (25.8%) being given CRT. There was significantly lower number of patients above 70 years with a higher proportion of patients below 50 years who had received CRT (p<0.05). Some 79.3% and 84.6% of patients in the RT and CRT groups respectively presented with a favorable performance status, and in the RT group 240 (58.4%) showed complete response (CR), and in the CRT group 103 (72.0%) showed CR at the first follow-up (p<0.05). Conclusions: Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy gives better short term response to treatment in locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancers.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2017

Despite improved treatment outcomes of locally advanced disease over the last 2 decades, the survival of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains dismal. There is a clear need for development of novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC. Recent advances in understanding tumor immunology have been directly and rapidly translated into clinical success of T cell-directed immunotherapeutic approach in the treatment of several types of solid cancers. Among them, impact of immune checkpoint inhibition using neutralizing antibodies is the most striking. A variety of immunotherapeutic strategies targeting T cells have been also studied in HNSCC, especially in recurrent and/or metastatic setting even with significant survival benefit. The present article reviews the basic concept of T cell-directed immunotherapy and the current status of such approaches in the treatment of HNSCC.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 1998

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the low-dose(30mCi) I-131 ablation therapy for remnant thyroid tissue following total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods: Between March 1995 and December 1997, forty-eight patients were given ablative doses(30mCi) of I-131 after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer in the presence of I-131 uptake in remnant thyroid tissue. Effective ablation of remnant thyroid tissue was determined by following I-131 whole body scan. if remnant thyroid tissue remained, we repeated the same management at 6 months interval. Results: Thirty-eight(79.1%) patients had papillary, 8(16.7%) follicular, 1(2.1%) medullary and 1(2.1%) Hurthle cell type cancer. Forty-eight patients underwent total thyroidectomy, among those central neck dissection was performed in 35 cases, and modified radical neck dissection in 14 cases. Postoperative complication developed in 8 cases, which included 4 cases of transient hypoparathyroidism, 1 case of permanent hypoparathyroidism, 2 cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and 1 case of wound hematoma. There were significant remnant thyroid tissue in 46 cases(95.8%) of patients after total thyroidectomy, which could be ablated by low dose(30mCi) I-131. There were no statistical difference between operative procedures and number of treatment of I-131. Conclusions: These results suggested that repeated low-dose(30mCi) I-131 therapy would be needed, therefore, high -dose I-131 therapy could be considered as ablation therapy for the remnant thyroid tissue after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2021

Background/Objectives: Shoulder function is an important aspect of health related quality of life (QOL). Neck dissection impairment index (NDII) is a simple shoulder-specific questionnaire. This study aimed to evaluate the association between QOL and NDII in patients who underwent neck dissection to validate the Korean version of NDII. Materials & Methods: This study enrolled 74 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent neck dissection from December 2013 to April 2014. Patients completed questionnaires on QOL including the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item Core QOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and NDII which was translated into Korean. Validity was evaluated by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between NDII and EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: We compared preoperative, postoperative within a week, 1st and 3rd months NDII scores. The total NDII scores were 14.7, 47.4, 33.7 and 34.3 each. Clinical variables including gender, site of primary tumor, performing revision neck dissection, radiotherapy and flap reconstruction were not significantly associated with NDII. However NDII mean score of patients who underwent unilateral neck dissection over 3 levels is most increased after operation. During all periods NDII scores were significantly associated with functioning score. Although other scores are lower correlation than function scores, global health status scores and symptom scores are also correlation with NDII. Conclusion: NDII was valid instrument and can be used not only in the clinical practice to assess shoulder dysfunction but also in the simple instrument to evaluate global QOL in Korea patients with having neck dissection.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2023

Currently, state-of-the-art devices such as SPECT, PET/CT, and PET/MRI are rapidly spreading nationwide, and the penetration rate of nuclear medical devices is also ranked fifth in the world. However, PET/MRI's system is slower and less common because it is more complex than PET/CT. The purpose of this study is to provide optimal information on PET/MRI according to the patient's disease. The subjects obtained information on head and neck cancer, pediatric patients, breast cancer patients, heart disease patients, lung cancer patients, and rectal cancer patients. We tried to accumulate protocols by obtaining a lot of information about each disease. In diagnosing head and neck cancer, it is believed that it is highly likely to be used in evaluating preoperative stage determination, recurrence and remote metastasis after treatment, and unclear primary cervical lymph node metastasis. Diagnosis and continuous follow-up of pediatric patients can increase patient benefits by minimizing radiation exposure. Breast cancer provides a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical need to determine the extent of disease in breast and local lymph nodes and the systematic stages of early diagnosis or recurrence. In diagnosing heart disease patients, MR-based PET motion correction helps to realize the full potential of PET images. For lung cancer patients, the clinical value and usefulness of the resolution and detection ability of integrated PET/MRI for soft tissues such as lung cancer will be sufficient. In diagnosing rectal cancer patients, the detection of missing residual diseases can change the clinical response evaluation for rectal cancer patients treated with TNT, and both the initial stage and treatment response evaluation are possible. Therefore, this literature study provided basic clinical data for PET/MRI tests.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4571-4576
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• 2013

Background: Depression is a comorbid disabling problem and potentially affects patient likelihood of survival. The aims of this study were to recognize the characteristics of depression and investigate associated predictor factors in patients with oral cancers. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational design was used to collect data for this study conducted in northern Taiwan. A set of questionnaires was used to measure depression, symptom distress, performance status, social support, and demographic and disease-related information. Logistic regression was conducted to determine important factors predicting depression. Results: A total of 132 oral cancer patients participated in this study. Of these, 18.2% were identified as depression cases. The patient average performance status score was 90 or higher. Patients reported mild-to-moderate levels of symptom distress. The majority of social support was from families. Religious belief, alcohol use, symptom distress, and social support from family were found to be important factors predicting depression. Patients with religious belief with alcohol use reported greater symptom distress, and those with lower levels of social support from families were significantly more likely to develop depression. Conclusions: Clinicians should assess patient emotional status and manage symptoms in a timely manner to enhance coping abilities. Supportive care provides assurance during the acute survivor phase.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.348-360
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and essence of experience of family members as care givers of patient with head and neck cancer. Methods : This study was based on the colaizzi's phenomenological method, which describes the experiences about the family care givers. We had in-depth interview with family of five head and neck cancer patients. Results : Data was classified by 24 themes, 9 theme clusters and 4 categories. The categories are as follows: 'Shocking and actuality like a deadly maze', 'Cut off from the world by changes in family's physical image', 'Exhaustion of family', 'Take-off for mature care'. Conclusion : The results of the study provide useful information in understanding care givers' experience of patient with head and neck cancer and establishing effective strategies to support these care givers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5175-5178
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• 2013

Background: The prognostic value of tumor osteopontin (OPN) in patients with squamous-cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC) was investigated. Materials and Methods: OPN expression was assessed by immunohistochemical methods in 50 patients, who were treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced SCHNC. The effects of OPN on clinical parameters, local-regional control after RT and metastasis-free survival, was assessed. Results: The rate of OPN expression in tumor tissue was 76%. OPN positive cases had lower Hb levels (p=0.088). Mean time to local recurrence was 53.8 months (SE 3.9) in OPN-negative cases and 39.1 months (SE 4.7) in OPN-positive cases (p=0.047). OPN increased the risk of local recurrence 5.9 times (p=0.085). It had no effect on metastasis-free (p=0.116) or overall survival (p=0.123). OPN was positive in 12 of 19 cases that developed grade 3-4 acute radiation dermatitis (p=0.096). Conclusions: OPN expression is associated with an increase in local recurrence in patients who were treated with primary RT for locally advanced SCHNC.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2002

Objectives: Most of human cancers may result from exposure to environmental carcinogens, and individual effectiveness in the detoxification of these chemicals will influence susceptibility to malignant disease. Glutathione S-Transferases(GSTs) enzymes are involved in the detoxification of active metabolites of many carcinogens from tobacco smoke and may be important in modulating susceptibility to smoke-related cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine the polymorphism of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 in control group and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma group of Korean, and to investigate the effect of GSTs polymorphism on the risk of head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was performed with a group of 133 control individual and 136 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. The polymorphisms of GSTs were analysed using polymerase chain reaction in GSTM1 and GSTTl, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in GSTP1. Results: The relative risk (odds ratio) of GSTM(-) genotype was 1.14(95% CI, 0.70-1.85) compared to GSTM1(+). The odds ratio of GSTTl(-) genotype was 0.91(95% CI, 0.55-1.50). In old age($65$) group, the odds ratio of GSTT1(-) genotype was 5.2(95% CI, 1.53-17.89). The GSTP1 Val/Val genotype conferred a 1.7-fold risk(95% CI, 0.40-7.34) of head and neck cancer compared with GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotype. Among the combined genotypes of GSTs, GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(+)/GSTP1 Val/Val and GSTM1(-)/GSTTl(-)/GSTP1 Ile/Val genotypes conferred a 2.6-fold and 1.3-fold risk(95% CI, 0.24-14.15 and 0.43-3.14) compared with the GSTM1(+)/GSTTl(+)/GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotype, respectively. Conclusion: Polymorphism of GSTs might modulate susceptibility to head and neck cancer in Korean population. The genotype of GSTP1 Val/Val and combined genotypes of GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(+)/GSTP1 Val/Val, and GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(-)/GSTP1 Ile/Val might be important risk factors to determine the individual susceptibility to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.