• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2020

Purpose: Currently, there is no clear evidence to support any specific treatment as a principal therapy for stage IV gastric cancer outlet obstruction (GCOO) patients. This study evaluated the outcomes of palliative gastrectomies and survival prognostic factors in patients with stage IV resectable GCOO. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 48 stage IV GCOO patients who underwent palliative gastrectomies between June 2010 and December 2019. Palliative gastrectomies were performed only in patients with resectable disease. Early surgical outcomes and prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: There were no specific risk factors for postoperative complications, except for being underweight. Severe postoperative complications developed in five patients, and most of the patients underwent interventional procedures and received broad-spectrum antibiotics for intra-abdominal abscesses. The multivariate survival analysis showed that palliative chemotherapy is a positive prognostic factor, while the specific type of hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis is a negative prognostic factor. Conclusions: We recommend that the treatment method for stage IV GCOO should be selected according to each patient's physical condition and tumor characteristics. In addition, we suggest that palliative gastrectomies can be performed in stage IV resectable GCOO patients without unfavorable prognostic factors (types of hematogenous and lymphatic metastases).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2024

Background: Early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that abuts adjacent structures requires careful evaluation due to its potential impact on postoperative outcomes and prognosis. We examined stage I NSCLC with invasion into adjacent structures, focusing on the prognostic implications after curative surgical resection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 796 patients who underwent curative surgical resection for pathologic stage IA/IB NSCLC (i.e., visceral pleural invasion only) at a single center from 2008 to 2017. Patients were classified based on tumor abutment and then reclassified by the presence of visceral pleural invasion. Clinical characteristics, pathological features, and survival rates were compared. Results: The study included 181 patients with abutting NSCLC (22.7% of all participants) and 615 with non-abutting tumors (77.3%). Those with tumor abutment exhibited higher rates of non-adenocarcinoma (26.5% vs. 9.9%, p<0.01) and visceral/lymphatic/vascular invasion (30.4%/33.1%/12.7% vs. 8.5%/22.4%/5.7%, respectively; p<0.01) compared to those without abutment. Multivariable analysis identified lymphatic invasion and male sex as risk factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in stage I NSCLC measuring 3 cm or smaller. Age, smoking history, vascular invasion, and recurrence emerged as risk factors for OS, whereas the presence of non-pure ground-glass opacity was a risk factor for DFS. Conclusion: NSCLC lesions 3 cm or smaller that abut adjacent structures present higher rates of various risk factors than non-abutting lesions, necessitating evaluation of tumor invasion into adjacent structures and lymph node metastasis. In isolation, however, the presence of tumor abutment without visceral pleural invasion does not constitute a risk factor.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.238-245
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• 2009

Purpose: Treatment strategies for early gastric carcinoma (EGC) should be based on achieving a complete cure, but clear indications for limited surgery have not been established. We investigated surgical outcomes for early gastric cancer to determine the optimal? treatment strategy for EGC. Materials and Methods: Subjects included 881 patients who underwent curative surgery for EGC between 1986 and 2003. Retrospective uni & multi-variate analysis for prognostic factors, factors affecting lymph node metastasis, and risk factors for cancer recurrence were analyzed. Results: In multivariate survival analyses, age, operation method, macroscopic appearance and lymph node stage proved to be independent prognostic factors. Lymph node metastasis, depth of tumor invasion, tumor size, lymphatic and venous invasion were also significant risk factors in multivariate analyses. In multivariate analyses for cancer recurrence, depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis proved to be significant risk factors. Conclusion: Appropriate surgical treatment with lymph node dissection is necessary for EGC patients with risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2001

Purpose: The prognosis for early gastric cancer (EGC) is favorable, and the 10-year disease-specific survival rate is reported to be around $90\%$. The absolute number of recurred EGC is too small to assess the risk factors, so recruitment of a large number of cases for statistical analysis is very difficult. We carried out this study to analyze the incidence and the patterns of recurrence of EGC and to identify the clinicopathological risk factors for recurrence of EGC. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively investigated the follow-up records of 1418 patients who underwent a curative resection for EGC from Jan. 1984 to Dec. 1999 at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and analyzed them with special reference to cancer recurrence. Results: In this retrospective study of 1418 cases, 43 patients died of a recurrence of gastric cancer, and 105 patients died of unrelated causes. The five-year and the ten-year overall survival rates were $89.6\%$ and $81.7\%$, respectively, while the five-year and the ten-year diseasespecific survival rates were $96.5\%$ and $94.3\%$, respectively. The recurrence patterns of the 45 recurred EGC were hematogenous metastasis (19 cases), lymph node (L/N) metastasis (8 cases), locoregional recurrence (2 cases), peritoneal seeding (3 cases), and combined form (13 cases). The mean time interval to recurrence was 38.6 months, and the number of delayed recurred cases after 5 years was 10 ($22.2\%$). Of the clinicopathologic factors, depth of invasion, L/N metastasis, macroscopic type, lymphatic invasion, and vessel invasion, were significant risk factors in the univariate analysis. However, in the multivariate analysis, only L/N metastasis was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, L/N metastasis is an independent prognostic factor. Thus, in patients with node-positive disease, adjuvant therapy might be considered, and long-term close follow-up might facilitate early detection and treatment of recurrent disease due to delayed recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1248-1256
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• 1996

From June 1987 to December 1994, 372 patients underwent operation for resection of esophageal cancer, and 48 patients with metastasis to distant abdominal lymph nodes were analyzed.. The primary tumors were located predominantly in lower thoracic esophagus(n=29). The location of involved lymph nodes were celiac L/N(n=45), common hepatic L/N(n=4), paraaortic L/N(n=l), and retropancreatic L/N(n=l). Most tumors penetrated the esophageal wall(T3,T4, n=43), metastased to regional L/N(N1, n=41), but a few tumors were limited to the esophageal wall(T1,T2, n=5), metastased to distant abdominal L/N without metastasis to regional L/N(NO, n=7). Resectability rate was 87.5%(42/48), and complete resection was possible in 31 patients(64.6%). The most frequent cause of incomplete resection and unresectability was unresectable T4 lesions(n=8), extranodal invasion(n=7). Overall operative mortality and morbidity was 4.2%, 22.9%, and resection mortality was 4.8%. Adjuvant therapy was given to 27 patients, and postoperative follow-up was possible in all patients(median follow-up, 32 months). The 1 year and 3 year survival for resection group was 54.0%, 18.1%(median, 386 days) including operative deaths. Our results suggest that resection of the esophageal cancer with metastasis to distant abdominal lymph nodes(M1LYN) can be done with acceptable mortality and morbidity, and may playa role in long-term survival in carefully selected patients because prognosis is dismal in unresectable esophageal cancer. We recommend that lymph nodes around celiac axis be dissected thoroughly for exact staging and possible prolongation of survival, and multimodality therapy as necessary because most patients with M1(LYN) esophageal cancer do poorly with only primay surgical treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5385-5389
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• 2012

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a precise procedure for lymphatic staging in early breast cancer. In a valid SLNB procedure, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in nodenegative cases without compromising patient safety. In this study, detection rate, accuracy and false negative rate of SLNB for breast cancer was evaluated in a setting with simple modified conventional pathology facilities without any serial sectioning or immunohistochemistry. Material and Medthod: Patients with confirmed breast cancer were enrolled in the study. SLNB and ALND were performed in all cases. Lymph node metastasis was evaluated in SLN and in nodes removed by ALND to determine the false negative rate. Pathologic assessment was carried out only by modified conventional technique with only 3 sections. Detection rate was determined either by lymphoscintigraphy or during surgery. Results: 78 patients with 79 breast units were evaluated. SLN was detected in 75 of 79 cases (95%) in lymphoscintigraphy and 76 of 79 cases (96%) during surgery. SLN metastases was detected in 30 of 75 (40%) cases either in SLNB and ALND groups. Accuracy of SLNB method for detecting LN metastases was 92%. False negative rate was 3 of 30 of positive cases: 10%. In 7 of 10 cases with axillary lymphadenopathy, LN metastastates was detected. Conclusion: SLNB is recommended for patients with various tumor sizes without palpable lymph nodes. In modified conventional pathologic examination of SLNs, at least macrometastases and some micrometastases could be detected similar to ALND. Consequently, ALND could be omitted in node-negative cases with removal of all palpable LNs. We conclude that SLNB, as one of the most important developments in breast cancer surgery, could be expanded even in areas without sophisticated pathology facilities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.121-126
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• 2013

Background: Significance of HPV infection and genic mutation of APC and K-ras in rectal cancer has been investigated but not clarified. The objective of our study was to investigate these parameters in patients with rectal cancer to analyze correlations with biological behaviour, to determine relationships among the three, and also to demonstrate survival prognosis effects. Methods: From December 2007 to September 2008, 75 rectal cancer cases confirmed by histopathology in the Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were enrolled. The control group consisted of normal rectal mucous membrane taken simultaneously, a least 10 cm distant from the carcinoma fringe. HPV DNA, the MCR of APC and exon-1 of K-ras were detected by PCR and PCR-SSCP. All results were analyzed in relation to clinical pathological material, using chi-square and correlation analysis via SPSS.13 and Fisher's Exact Probability via STATA. 9.0. All 75 patients were followed up for survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank tests. Results: 55 out of 75 cases demonstrated gene HPV L1 while it was notdetected in normal rectal mucosa tissue. HPV infection was correlated with age and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05) but not other characteristics, such as ethnicity, tumor size, histological type, tumor type, Duke's stage and infiltration depth. Some 43 cases exhibited APC genic mutation (57.3%) and 34 K-ras genic mutation (45.3%). APC genic mutation was correlated with gender(P<0.05), but not age, histological type, infiltration depth, lymphatic metastasis and Duke's stage. In 55 cases of rectal cancer with HPV infection, there were 31 cases with genic mutation of APC (56.4%) and 24 with genic mutation of K-ras (43.6%). For the 20 cases of rectal cancer with non-HPV infection, the figures were 12 cases (60%) and 10 (50.0%), respectively, with no significant relation. Survival analysis showed no statistical significance for K-ras genic mutation, APC genic mutation or HPV infection (P>0.05). However, the survival time of the patients with HPV infection was a little shorter than in cases without HPV infection. Conclusions: Our results suggest that HPV infection might be an important factor to bring about malignant phenotype of rectal cancer and influence prognosis. Genic mutation of APC and K-ras might be common early molecular events of rectal cancer, but without prognostic effects on medium-term or early stage patients with rectal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3299-3304
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• 2014

Background: The aim of the present study was to analyze whether Homer1 is a potential prognostic marker for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Materials and Methods: The expression of Homer1 in ICC tissue was detected with immunohistochemistry and levels of protein in ICC and paratumor tissues were evaluated by Western blotting. Survival analysis by the Kaplan-Meier method was performed to assess prognostic significance. Results: Homer1 expression was high in 67.4% (58/86) of ICC samples, and there was significant difference between ICC and adjacent noncancerous tissues (p<0.001); high expression was associated with poor histologic differentiation (p=0.019), TNM stage (p=0.014), lymph node metastasis (p=0.040), and lymphatic invasion (p=0.025). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, a comparison of survival curves of low versus high expressors of Homer1 revealed a highly significant difference in OS (p=0.001) and DFS (p=0.006), indicating that high expression of Homer1 was linked with a worse prognosis. Multivariate analyses showed that Homer1 expression was an independent risk factor predicting overall survival[Hazard ratio(HR), 7.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.63-21.47; p=0.002] and disease-free survival (HR, 11.56; 95%CI, 5.17-25.96; p<0.001) in ICC. Conclusions: Homer1 promotes lymphatic invasion and associates with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of ICC. The current study shows that Homer1 may be an independent prognostic factor for ICC patients after curative resection, and it provides an important basis for screening/treating high-risk patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

This review discusses the pivotal role of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, vital processes influencing vascular permeability, endothelial cell recruitment, and the maintenance of tumor-associated blood and lymphatic vessels. VEGF exerts its effects through tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3. This VEGF-VEGFR system is central not only to cancer but also to diseases arising from abnormal blood vessel and lymphatic vessel formation. In the context of cancer, VEGF and its receptors are essential for the development of tumor-associated vessels, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Various approaches, such as anti-VEGF antibodies, receptor antagonists, and VEGF receptor function inhibitors, are being explored to interfere with tumor growth. However, the clinical efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents remains uncertain and necessitates further refinement. The article also highlights the physiological role of VEGFs, emphasizing their involvement in endothelial cell functions, survival, and vascular permeability. The identification of five distinct VEGFs in humans (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and PLGF) is discussed, along with the classification of VEGFRs as typical receptor tyrosine kinases with distinct signaling systems. The family includes VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, crucial in tumor biology and angiogenesis, and VEGFR-3, specifically involved in lymphangiogenesis. Overall, this review has provided a comprehensive overview of VEGF and VEGFR, detailing their roles in various diseases, including cancer. This is expected to further facilitate the utilization of VEGF and VEGFR as therapeutic targets.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3521-3526
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• 2013

Objective: The current study explored the expression of KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 and its significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods: The expression levels of KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 in 100 LSCC tissue specimens, as well as in 30 para-LSCC non-carcinomatous tissue specimens randomly taken from the patients, were assessed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and immunohistochemistry and correlations with pathological parameters of LSCC and their influence on survival function were analyzed. Results: KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 showed basically consistent changes in both mRNA and protein expression. Their expression in the 30 LSCC specimens was significantly lower compared with that in the corresponding non-carcinous tissues (P < 0.01 or 0.05), notably correlating with TNM stage, differentiation degree, clinical stage, and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.01 or 0.05), but not gender, age, and LSCC growth sites (P > 0.05). The median survival of patients with positive KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 protein expression was longer than that of patients with negative protein expression (P < 0.01 or 0.05). KAI1/CD82 protein expression negatively correlated with MRP1/CD9 protein expression in LSCC (${\chi}^2$= 31.25, P < 0.01). Conclusion: KAI1/CD82 and MRP1/CD9 may jointly participate in the development of LSCC. They may serve as the markers for judging the infiltration, metastasis, and prognosis of LSCC.