• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3653-3661
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• 2013

Along with rapid economic growth and enhanced agricultural productivity, particulate matter emissions in the northern cities of Thailand have been increasing for the past two decades. This trend is expected to continue in the coming decade. Emissions of particulate matter have brought about a series of public health concerns, particularly chronic respiratory diseases. It is well known that lung cancer incidence among northern Thai women is one of the highest in Asia (an annual age-adjusted incidence rate of 37.4 per 100,000). This fact has aroused serious concern among the public and the government and has drawn much attention and interest from the scientific community. To investigate the potential causes of this relatively high lung cancer incidence, this study employed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy to identify the chemical composition of the $PM_{2.5}$ collected using Quartz Fibre Filters (QFFs) coupled with MiniVol$^{TM}$ portable air samplers (Airmetrics). $PM_{2.5}$ samples collected in nine administrative provinces in northern Thailand before and after the "Haze Episode" in 2013 were categorised based on three-dimensional plots of a principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation. In addition, the incremental lifetime exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ of both genders was calculated, and the first derivative of the FTIR spectrum of individual samples is here discussed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.252-260
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• 2004

The purpose of study is to evaluate the clinical implication of malignant Pleural Lavage Cytology (PLC) in primary lung cancer. 315 patients were examined with pleural lavage cytology in Asan Medical Center between November 1998 and August 2002. The patients were chosen from primary lung cancer patients with no pleural effusion according to preoperative radiologic examination; no tumor invasion into the chest wall and no diffuse pleural adhesion in intraoperative findings, The pleural cavity and lung were washed with 100 $m\ell$ of warm normal saline. The 315 patients consisted of 237 men and 78 women. The incidence of malignant PLC was found in 28 patients (8.9%). For patients in early stages (I & II), survival rate was 93.9% in positive malignant PLC and 85.7% in negative malignant PLC. 31 patients (13.6%) had local or distant recurrences; 2-year recurrence-free rate was 90.1% in negative PLC and 87.5% in positive PLC. The survival and recurrence-free rate in each stage were not statistically associated with the result of PLC. Median follow-up was 16.4 months from the surgery. To access implication of malignant PLC in primary lung cancer, a long-term follow-up and further study are required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1232-1240
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• 1996

From January 1990 through June 1995, we operated on 121 patients who were suspected for pulmonary tuberculosis without definite final diagnosis. After operation the final pathologic diagnoses were as follows: 68 pulmonary tuberculosis in which 29 were tuberculoma, 23 lung cancer, 16 bronchiectasis, 6 aspergilloma, 2 lung abscess, 2 benign cyst and 4 others. In 121 cases, 81 were male and 40 were female and the peak age incidence was 4th decade in tuberculosis (39.7%) and 6th and 7th decade in lung cancer (69.6%). The diagnoses in 44 cases presented roentgenographically as pulmonary nodules were pulmonary tuberculosis(29 cases) and lung cancer(15 cases). Tuberculous nodules tended to be smaller in size with calcification and satellite lesions compared to carcinomas. Indications for operation were solitary nodules 44 cases (36.4%); destroyed lobe 31(25.6%); hemoptysis 25 (20.7%); cavitary lesion 11(9.1 %); bronchostenosis 3 (2.5%); destroyed lung 5(4.1 %) and destroyed lung with empyema 2(1.7%). We conclude that preoperatively suspected pulmonary tuberculosis should be distinguished from various pulmonary lesions such as carcinoma, bronchiectasis, aspergilloma, lung abscess and benign cyst. For the possibility of carcinoma, pulmonary nodules of size greater than 3cm, non-calcified, non satellite lesion, newly developed nodule even under the anti-tuberculous medication, negative PPD skin test with elevated CEA level are recommended for an early resectional surgery and follow-up and delayed surgery is recommended in cases such as pulmonary nodules less than 3 cm in size with calcification, satellite lesion, positive PPD skin reaction and elevated ESR, CRP, ALP levels.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and prognostic factors of treatment-related pneumonitis in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT). Materials and Methods: One-hundred-five patients with NSCLC treated with IMRT between 1 August 2004 and 30 November 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of patients was 62.9 years, and squamous carcinomas were confirmed in 81 patients(77%). Sixty-six patients(62.9%) were classified as stage III, and 59 patients had lesions in the right lung. Twenty-seven patients were treated with a dose of 3,060 cGy preoperatively, and 10 patients were given a dose of 5,040 cGy postoperatively. Sixty-eight patients received a dose of 7,020 cGy for curative intent. Sixty-eight patients were treated with the use of the CORVUS planning system and 37 patients were treated with the use of the ECLIPSE planning system. Results: Of 105 patients, 21 patients(20%) had abnormal radiological findings, but only seven patients(6.7%) required treatment for radiation pneumonitis. Six of the seven patients had other serious lesions, including a bronchioesophageal fistula(one patient), recurrence in the treatment field(two patients), brain metastasis(one patient) and lung-to-lung metastasis(two patients); all of these patients died within 19 months after radiation treatment. Sixteen patients(23.5%) that received planning with the CORVUS system had abnormal lung findings. Five patients(13.5%) had abnormal lung findings with the use of the ECLIPSE planning system. Other prognostic factors such as perioperative radiation therapy, a volume over 10% of the V20 volume in the right lung, were also statistically significant. Conclusion: This retrospective analysis suggests that IMRT could be a beneficial treatment modality for the reduction of radiation pneumonitis in NSCLC patients. However, the higher incidence of abnormal radiological findings in perioperative patients treated with relatively lower doses($3,060{\sim}5,040$ cGy) suggest the need for judicious treatment planning in preoperative or postoperative treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.746-753
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• 1998

Background : Cigarette smoking is closely related to both lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The incidence of lung cancer is higher in patients with obstructive ventilatory impairment than in patients without obstructive ventilatory impairment regardless of smoking. So, obstructive ventilatory impairment is suspected as an independent risk factor of lung cancer. Methods: For the evaluation of the role of obstructive ventilatory impairment as a risk factor of lung cancer, a total of 73 cases comprising 47 cases of malignant and 26 benign solitary pulmonary nodule were analyzed retrospectively. A comparative study of analysis of forced expiratory volume curves and frequencies of obstructive ventilatory impairment were made between cases with malignant and benign nodules. Results: In comparison of vital capacity and parameters derived from forced expiratory volume curve between two groups. VC, FVC and $FEV_1$ were not significantly different. whereas $FEV_1/FVC%$ and FEF 25-75% showed a significant decrease in the cases with malignant nodule. The frequency of obstructive ventilatory impairment determined by pulmonary function test was significantly higher in the cases with malignant nodule(23.4%) than in benign nodule(3.8%). When the risk for lung cancer was examined by the presence or absence of obstructive ventilatory impairment using the logistic regression analysis, the unadjusted relative risk for the lung cancer of obstructive ventilatory impairment was 17.17. When the effect of smoking and age were considered, the relative risk was to 8.13. Conclusion: These findings suggest that an obstructive ventilatory impairment is a risk factor of lung cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.473-482
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• 1987

The records of 65 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary lung cancer who underwent surgical therapy at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of the Keimyung University Hospital were analyzed during the period of 8 years and 4 months, from August, 1978 to December, 1986. The peak incidence was observed in the 5th decade of life and the mean age was 52.9 years old. Male versus female ratio was 8.3:1 Cough was the most frequent presenting symptom, 76.9% then chest discomfort, hemoptysis and dyspnea followed in order. 44.6% of the patient had 2 months of prediagnostic symptomatic period, 72.3% had 5 months, and the mean was 5.7 months. As for preoperative diagnosis, 62 of total 65 patients revealed the mass lesion on simple chest x-ray, and 56 of 65 patients on bronchoscopic biopsy, 10 of 37 patients on sputum cytology and 15 of 15 patients on computerized tomography of the chest were positive. Of the 65 patients, 35 [53.9%] had squamous cell carcinoma, 18 [27.7%] adenocarcinoma, 3 [4.6%] large cell carcinoma, and 3 [4.6%] small cell carcinoma all which was oat cell carcinoma. 83.1% of the total patient was resectable, and 34 underwent pneumonectomy and 20 lobectomy. Of these 65 operations, 29 was radical resection, 25 palliative, and 11 exploratory thoracotomy. As for clinical stagings, 23 patients were in Stage, I, another 23 in Stage II and 19 in Stage III, while 16 was in stage, I, 14 in stage ll and 35 in stage III in postoperative staging evaluation. In correlation of postoperative TNM classification and radical resection, those patients who had lung cancer of stage I [14/16] and stage II [9/13] had more radical resection. As postoperative complications, one patient had massive bleeding, two empyema, one empyema with bronchopulmonary fistula, and one cardiac herniation. Operative mortality rate was 1.5% [1 patient]. Mean duration between 1st operation and discovering recurrence in 18 patients was 12.7 months.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7885-7889
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• 2014

Background: Activating mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) could predict response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the detection of EGFR mutation is frequently challenging in clinical practice for the lack of tumor tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of performing EGFR mutation testing on various types of liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples. Materials and Methods: A total of 434 liquid-based cytology samples were collected from March 2010 and November 2013. Among them, 101 with diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma had paired surgically resected specimens. The ADx Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ADx-ARMS) was used to determine EGFR mutation status both in LBC and resected samples. Results: All liquid-based cytology samples were adequate for EGFR mutation analysis. The mutation rate was 50.5% in the 434 NSCLC patients with LBC samples and the incidence rates of EGFR mutation were consistent among different specimens. We also detected EGFR positives in 52.5% (53/101) patients with paired histologic specimens. The concordance rate of EGFR mutation between LBC samples and paired histologic specimens was 92.1%. Conclusions: Our results suggest that liquid-based cytology samples are highly reliable for EGFR mutation testing in patients with NSCLC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.6 s.251
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• pp.428-433
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• 2005

Advanced age in Esophagectomy increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, the recent development of operative technique and perioperative care might have decreased the postoperative morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Material and Method: From March 2001 to July 2004, 174 patients underwent esophageal resection for esophageal cancer in the Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center. The patients were divided into two groups : group 1 consisted of 27 patients aged 70 years or more, and group 2 consisted of 147 patients under 70 years of age. The two groups were compared according to preoperative risk factors, postoperative morbidity, operative mortality and survival. Result: The mean age was 63_4. There were 159 men. On histopathological examination, $93.1\%$ had squamous cell carcinoma. On the locations, $78.7\%$ were in mid and lower esophagus. Curative resections for esophageal cancer were possible in $162(93.1\%)$ patients. Mean hospital stay was 19.4 days with out difference between the groups. The overall postoperative morbidity were occurred in 61 patients $(35.1\%)$. The most frequent morbidity was pulmonary complication in $30(17.2\%)$. Preoperative incidence of hypertension, cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction were more common in Group I. However, there was no difference in overall postoperative morbidity, operative mortality and survival rate between the two groups. Conclusion: Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer could be carried out safely in patients over 70 years of age with satisfactory short-term results. Advanced age is no longer a risk factor for esophagectomy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4223-4228
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and dosimetric factors associated with acute esophagitis (AE) in lung cancer patients treated with conformal radiotherapy (RT) in Turkey. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective review 104 lung cancer patients were examined. Esophagitis grades were verified weekly during treatment, and at 1 week, and 1 and 2 months afterwards. The clinical parameters included patient age, gender, tumor pathology, number of chemotherapy treatments before RT, concurrent chemotherapy, radiation dose, tumor response to RT, tumor localization, interruption of RT, weight loss, tumor and nodal stage and tumor volume. The following dosimetric parameters were analyzed for correlation of AE: The maximum ($D_{max}$) and mean ($D_{mean}$) doses delivered to the esophagus, the percentage of esophagus volume receiving ${\geq}10$ Gy ($V_{10}$), ${\geq}20$ Gy ($V_{20}$), ${\geq}30$ Gy ($V_{30}$), ${\geq}35$ Gy ($V_{35}$), ${\geq}40$ Gy ($V_{40}$), ${\geq}45$ Gy ($V_{45}$), ${\geq}50$ Gy ($V_{50}$) and ${\geq}60$ Gy ($V_{60}$). Results: Fifty-five patients (52.9%) developed AE. Maximum grades of AE were recorded: Grade 1 in 51 patients (49%), and Grade 2 in 4 patients (3.8%). Clinical factors had no statistically significant influence on the incidence of AE. In terms of dosimetric findings, correlation analyses demonstrated a significant association between AE and $D_{max}$ (>5117 cGy), $D_{mean}$ (>1487 cGy) and $V_{10-60}$ (percentage of volume receiving >10 to 60 Gy). The most significant relationship between RT and esophagitis were in $D_{max}$ (>5117 cGy) (p=0.002) and percentage of esophageal volume receiving >30 Gy ($V_{30}$ >31%) (p=0.008) in the logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: The maximum dose esophagus greater than 5117 cGy and approximately one third (31%) of the esophageal volume receiving >30 Gy was the most statistically significant predictive factor associated with esophagitis due to RT.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.27-28
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• 2019

Recently, a bed company detected a radon more than Red Politics and became a hot topic of conversation. This has led to increased interest in radon, and a number of free-of-charge bodies have also been established to recognize the dangers of radon. In addition, the Korean Institute of Geological and Resource Research is planning to assist the installation of radon alarm systems in 10,000 households nationwide, free of charge. Since radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that causes lung cancer, it aims to reduce lung cancer incidence by absorbing radon using bamboo activated carbon as a way to reduce it. Due to the use of bamboo activated carbon, radon concentration per hour tends to decrease as substitution rate increases, and table flow tends to decrease as substitution rate increases. Through this experiment, 30% of the replacement rate of bamboo activated carbon is judged to be the most suitable replacement rate.