• International journal of thyroidology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2018

Metastases to regional cervical lymph nodes occur frequently in patients with thyroid cancer. The appropriate management of regional lymph node is important to achieve good disease control and to classify risk stratification for adjuvant radioactive iodine. However, there are some occasions that neck dissection is difficult and embarrassing in thyroid cancer. Especially, extensive or unusual nodal metastases bring challenges and makes neck dissection more difficult. Carotid artery management is one of the most difficult procedure in neck dissection. The management of patients who have persistent or recurrent cervical metastasis involving the carotid artery has been controversial and treatment dilemma to the surgeon. Metastasis of well differentiated thyroid cancer to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes is rare but occasionally encountered. The complete surgical excision is usually recommended for retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis of well differentiated thyroid cancer. An extensive mediastinal dissection in advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma is occasionally required. This paper will review recent reports of management of advanced nodal metastasis of thyroid cancer and share the author's personal experience.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2011

Purpose: The 7th AJCC tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system modified the classification of the lymph node metastasis widely compared to the 6th edition. To evaluate the prognostic predictability of the new TNM staging system, we analyzed the survival rate of the gastric cancer patients assessed by the 7th staging system. Materials and Methods: Among 2,083 patients who underwent resection for gastric cancer at the department of surgery, Hanyang Medical Center from July 1992 to December 2009, This study retrospectively reviewed 5-year survival rate (5YSR) of 624 patients (TanyN3M0: 464 patients, TanyNanyM1: 160 patients) focusing on the number of metastatic lymph node and distant metastasis. We evaluated the applicability of the new staging system. Results: There were no significant differences in 5YSR between stage IIIC with more than 29 metastatic lymph nodes and stage IV (P=0.053). No significant differences were observed between stage IIIB with more than 28 metastatic lymph nodes and stage IV (P=0.093). Distinct survival differences were present between patients who were categorized as TanyN3M0 with 7 to 32 metastatic lymph nodes and stage IV. But patients with more than 33 metastatic lymph nodes did not show any significant differences compared to stage IV (P=0.055). Among patients with TanyN3M0, statistical significances were seen between patients with 7 to 30 metastatic lymph nodes and those with more than 31 metastatic lymph nodes. Conclusions: In the new staging system, modifications of N classification is mandatory to improve prognostic prediction. Further study involving a greater number of cases is required to demonstrate the most appropriate cutoffs for N classification.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.267-275
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• 2019

Objectives: Metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can occur in a variety of ways, and draining lymphatics and lymph nodes serve as a common route. Prior to metastasis, lymph nodes elicit an immune response to either wall off or create a favorable environment for homing of tumor cells. This immune response to tumor stimuli is visualized by recognizing various immunoreactive patterns exhibited by the lymph node. The present study aims to evaluate the role of immuno-morphologic patterns of the lymph node in neck dissection for cases of OSCC. Materials and Methods: Our retrospective study included 50 neck dissection cases of OSCC and a total of 1,078 lymph nodes. The grades of primary tumors with eight different immunoreactive patterns were compared. Vascularity and metastasis in lymph nodes were also evaluated. Results: The lymphocyte predominant pattern was the most common immunoreactive pattern found in 396 of 1,078 lymph nodes. Patterns of lymphocyte predominant (P=0.0005), sinus histiocytosis (P=0.0500), paracortical hyperplasia (P=0.0001), cortical hyperplasia (P=0.0001), and increased vascularity (P=0.0190) were significantly associated with tumor grade. Conclusion: The present study adds to the understanding of lymph node immunoreactivity patterns and their correlation with tumor grade. We recommend further study of lymph node patterns for all sentinel lymph node biopsies and routine neck dissections for OSCCs.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2001

It is well established that cervical lymph node metastasis is the base of clinical study on head and neck cancer. But few studies have been reported on lymph node metastasis of head and neck cancer in Korea. We consider it essential that studies on cervical lymph node metastases are conducted on pathologically proven database. Therefore, We must have database and consitent system for documentation and data collection of neck dissection specimen for prospective and retrospective study. Herein, We suggest several points from our experiences performing the proper data collection and documentation of neck dissection specimen.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.171-181
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• 2023

Currently, the prevalence of gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJAC) is increasing in both Asian and Western countries, although the increasing rate in Asian countries is much slower than in Western countries. With these current trends, concerns regarding the surgical treatment method are also increasing among gastrointestinal surgeons. However, the surgical treatment for GEJAC has been a controversial issue for a long time due to the relative scarcity of this tumor and its characteristics from its borderline location. Recently, a large-scale prospective study of this tumor has been conducted in Japan, and the results are now available. The results of this study will be helpful for understanding this tumor. In this article, the pattern of lymph node metastasis of GEJAC is reviewed, and the extent and method of lymph node dissection for this tumor are discussed and proposed based on the review.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.775-782
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• 2011

This study was designed to clarify the morphometrical change of lymph node, deep cortex and lymph follicles in draining lymph nodes of young mice in response to local injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS). 1. In the group stimulated with LPS, aged 0 day and 3 days, the number of lymph follicles were not significantly different from those of control group. 2. In the group two to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged five days and one week, the number of lymph follicles were significantly increased from those of control group. 3. In the group one to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged 0 day, three days, five days and one week, the area of lymph node and deep cortex increased about 1.5-3 times more than that of the control group. 4. In the group two to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged three days, five days and one week, the lymph follicles(the area: larger than 0.1 mm2) were increased from those of control group. 5. In the group two to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged five days and one week, the lymph follicles(the area: smaller than 0.01 mm2) were increased from those of control group. In view of these experimental findings, the formation of lymph follicles were induced by LPS stimulation from 5 days to one week after birth. The newley formed lymph follicles area in response to LPS may be less than $0.01mm^2$.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.243-246
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• 1999

Currently, dissection of the axillary or regional lymph nodes is considered the standard staging procedure in breast cancer. However, accumulating evidence is becoming available that the sentinel node concept may provide the same or even better staging information. In the case of melanoma, it is proven that the histological characteristics of the sentinel node reflect the histological characteristics of the distal part of the lymphatic basin. Morbidity can be reduced significantly by the use of sentinel node dissection as several authors have reported successful introduction of this technique into clinical practice. But in breast cancer patients, there are signigicant differences in practice relating to the technology, such as radiopharmaceuticals, injection sites, volume of injectate, combination with vital blue dye, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, etc. Valuable reports on these topics appeared in recent journals. This review is a summary of those reports for nuclear physicians interested in sentinel node detection by lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2008

Purpose: We evaluated the failure pattern of the celiac axis, gastric lymph node, and treatment outcome in the upper and mid-esophageal region of cancer patients treated by definitive radiotherapy, except when treating the celiac axis and gastric lymph node for treatment volume, retrospectively. Materials and Methods: The study constituted the evaluation 108 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer receiving radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Chonbuk National University Hospital from January 1986 to December 2006. In total, 82 patients treated by planned radiotherapy, except when treating the celiac axis and gastric lymph node for treatment volume, were analysed retrospectively. The study population consisted of 78 men and 2 women(mean age of 63.2 years). In addition, 51 patients received radiotherapy alone, whereas 31 patients received a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The primary cancer sites were located in the upper portion(17 patients), and mid portion(65 patients), respectively. Further, the patients were in various clinical stages including T1N0-1M0(7 patients), T2N0-1M0(18 patients), T3N0-1M0(44 patients) and T4N0-1M0(13 patients). The mean follow up period was 15 months. Results: The various treatment outcomes included complete response(48 patients), partial response(31 patients) and no response(3 patients). The failure patterns of the lymph node were comprised of the regional lymph node(23 patients) and the distance lymph node which included celiac axis and gastric lymph node(13 patients). However, metastasis was not observed in the regional and distant lymph node in 10 patients, whereas 36 patients were not evaluated. Furthermore, of the 13 patients who developed celiac axis and gastric lymph node metastases, 3 were in stage T1N0-1M0 and 10 were in stage T2-4N0-1M0. A complete response appeared in 12 patients, whereas a partial response appeared in 1 patient. The mean survival time of the patients who appeared for regional and distant lymph node metastasis was 14.4 and 7.0 months, respectively. Conclusion: In locally advanced esophageal cancer patients, who were treated by definitive radiotherapy without celiac axis and gastric lymph node irradiation, the distant lymph node metastasis rate was high and the overall survival rate was lower compared to the regional lymph node metastasis. The incidence of regional and distant lymph node metastasis was high in patients who appeared beyond clinical stage T2 and received radiotherapy alone.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.225-228
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• 2008

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive and fast-growing malignant tumor. RMS predominantly arises in the head and neck of infancy and children. Metastasis is usually via the blood vessel. We report a case of a recurred RMS of the tongue base with the metastasis to multiple lymph nodes in a 37-year-old female. On the follow-up examination using advanced imaging modalities after surgical treatment of RMS, the lymph nodes should be carefully evaluated like in other malignancies, such as a carcinoma, showing frequent lymph node metastasis. (Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol 2008; 38 : 225-8)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.356-363
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• 2004

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Recently, every effort has been made to improve the long term survival, but the general prognosis for patients with this disease remains poor. In this study, we reviewed 8 years of experiences with esophageal cancer patients managed in our department at Dong-A University Hospital and evaluated the effectiveness of cervical lymph node dissection performed selectively. Material and Method: From January 1995 to August 2003, 70 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in our department. Among them, 51 patients who underwent curative resection, had no double primary tumors and no neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed retrospectively. In most patients, intrathoracic esophagectomy and cervical esophago-gastrostomy was performed. Since 1997, 3-field lymph node dissection was performed selectively. Result: There were 46 men and 15 women. The median age was 60 years. The tumor was located in the upper third part in 10 patients (19%), middle third in 21 (41%), and lower third in 20 (40%). Majority of the patients (90%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Cervical anastomosis was made in 41 patients, and intrathoracic anastomosis in 10. 2-field lymph node dissection was done in 40 patients, and 3-field lymph node dissection in 11. The pathologic staging were as follows: stage I in 9 patients (17.6%), IIA in 20 (39.2%), IIIB in 7 (13.7%), III in 11 (21.6%), IVA in 2 (3.9%), and IVB in 2 (3.9%). The in-hospital mortality was 3.9% (2 patients) and complications occurred in 24 patients (47%). Overall actuarial 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 74.4%, 48.4%, and 48.4% including operative mortality. The 4-year survival rate did not differ significantly between 3-field lymph node dissection group (50.5%) and 2-field lymph node dissection group (48.9%). In 3-field lymph node dissection group, the respiratory complications were more frequent and operative time was significantly longer. Conclusion: We think that curative resection for esophageal cancer can be performed with acceptable mortality, and aggressive surgical approach may improve the long term survival. even for advanced stages. Effectiveness of 3-field lymph node dissection needs further investigations.