• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6485-6489
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• 2012

Aims: To investigate the incidence of ordering tests for tumor markers which are used in cancer diagnosis, follow-up treatment and detection of recurrence, the rate of elevation in benign diseases and which clinics order them frequently. Materials and Method: Data for the tumor markers carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) that were ordered by all the clinics in our Hospital between 2010 and 2011 were screened. When excluding repeated orders the results of 3,416 patients were available. It has been determined that in which benign diseases were the tumor markers frequently ordered and which of these conditions had high levels of them. Results: CA 19-9 was ordered for 1,858 patients 191 (10.3%) were malignant while 1667 (89.7%) were ordered in benign diseases. For CEA the total was 1,710, 226 (13.2%) malignant and 1484 (86.8%) benign, and for CA 125 1267, 111 (8.8%) malignant and 1156 (91.2%) benign. AFP was ordered for 1687 cases, 80 (4.7%) malignant but 1607 (95.3%) benign. CA 15-3 was ordered 1449 times, 174 (12%) for malignant and 1275 (88%) for benign diseases. In all cases, considerable proportions were positive. Conclusions: It was shown that clinicians frequently order tumor markers for benign conditions. The findings of this study has shown that tumor markers are used widely without indications as cancer screening tests.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2017

Objective : This 2009-2011 nation-wide study of adult Koreans was aimed to provide characteristics, medical utilization states, and survival rates for newly diagnosed patients with primary nonmalignant and malignant spine tumors. Methods : Data for patients with primary spine tumors were selected from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. The data included their age, sex, health insurance type, co-morbidities, medical cost, and hospital stay duration. Hospital stay duration and medical costs per person occurring in one calendar year were used. In addition, survival rates of patients with primary malignant spine tumors were evaluated. Results : The incidence rate of a primary spine tumor increased with age, and the year of diagnosis ($p{\leq}0.0001$). Average annual medical costs ranged from 1627 USD (pelvis & sacrum & coccyx tumors) to 6601 USD (spinal cord tumor) for primary nonmalignant spine tumor and from 12137 USD (spinal meningomas) to 20825 USD (pelvis & sacrum & coccyx tumors) for a primary malignant spine tumor. Overall survival rates for those with a primary malignant spine tumor were 87.0%, 75.3%, and 70.6% at 3, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The Cox regression model results showed that male sex, medicare insurance were significantly positive factors affecting survival after a diagnosis of primary malignant spine tumor. Conclusion : Our study provides a detailed view of the characteristics, medical utilization states, and survival rates of patients newly diagnosed with primary spine tumors in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.268-273
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• 2001

Thymoma is the most common primary tumor of anterior mediastinum, accounting for 20% to 30% of all mediastinal tumors. The recurrence rate after total resection of the thymoma ranges 8% to 18%. We reported one patient of recurrent malignant thymoma imaged with Tc-99m MIBI, Tc-99m Tetrofosmin and Tc-99m (V) DMSA. Early and delayed Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m Tetrofosmin scintigraphies showed an increased uptake in the mediastinal area. Also, Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy revealed an increased uptake tn the corresponding area. Coronal SPECT images of Tc-99m MIBI, Tc-99m Tetrofosmin and Tc-99m (V) DMSA revealed increased uptake of each radiopharmaceutical in the tumor lesion corresponding to the mediastinal lesion on the chest CT. However, the normal blood pool activities of the heart and great vessels of Tc-99m (V) DMSA obscured the recurrent malignant thymoma. Although Tc-99m (V) DMSA is a useful tumor seeking agent, we recommend Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m Tetrofosmin SPECT rather than Tc-99m (V) DMSA to detect primary and recurrent malignant thymoma.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and malignant findings of thyroid nodules in 1,954 patients (654 males and 1,300 females) aged 20 years or older who underwent thyroid ultrasound from January 2018 to December 2018. Examination of the thyroid gland was performed, and fine needle aspiration cytology was performed on the thyroid nodule. As a result, 108 (16.5%) out of 654 males and 368 (28.3%) out of 1,300 females showed higher prevalence than males. The prevalence of single nodules and multiple nodules in gender and age groups was significantly higher for women and for ages (male p=.001, female p=.001). There was a significant difference in males in the nodule size (p=.001) and no significant difference in females (p=.069). Fine - needle aspiration cytology of 476 patients with nodules was diagnosed as malignant in 46 patients (9.6%). Based on pathologic results, 383 benign and 93 malignant groups were analyzed. Ultrasonographic findings were as follows single nodule (p=.000), solid(p=.004), hypoechoic (p=.000), ill-defined peripheral boundary (p=.000), and calcification (p=.000), respectively. In the diagnosis of thyroid nodule, primary ultrasonographic findings through morphological classification of the nodules may reduce indiscriminate fine needle aspiration cytology in benign and malignant nodules.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.353-358
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• 2023

Background: Malignant pleural effusion affects many patients with advanced cancer. When chemotherapy or radiotherapy fails to relieve malignant pleural effusion and related symptoms, drainage and pleurodesis can help. Although surgical talc pleurodesis is the most widely used method, Viscum album, which has been recently used in surgical or bedside procedures, has demonstrated significant results and is as effective as talc. This study aimed to determine the most effective agent and procedure. Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2022, chemical pleurodesis was performed in 137 patients with malignant pleural effusion, using a V. album surgical procedure in 48, a V. album bedside procedure in 55, and a talc surgical procedure in 34 patients. We reviewed patients' clinical responses and disease progression after chemical pleurodesis. Results: The success rate was not significantly different among the V. album surgical procedures (91.7%), V. album bedside procedures (83.6%), and talc surgical procedures (91.2%). However, the total drainage amount and tube insertion duration in both Viscum groups were more effective than those in the talc group. Furthermore, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower post-pleurodesis pain scores than the other 2 groups. Conclusion: According to our results, talc and V. album can be considered ideal agents for chemical pleurodesis. However, Viscum pleurodesis showed safer outcomes in terms of ensuring quality of life than talc. Additionally, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower pain scores than the other groups. Hence, patients for whom surgical procedures are inappropriate can undergo bedside Viscum pleurodesis without diminishing the therapeutic effect.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 1990

Twenty one patients of malignant thymoma treated with curative aim at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology of Seoul National University Hospital from 1979 to 1987 were analysed retrospectively. The 3 year overall and relapse free survival rate was $80.5\%\;and\;78.6$, respectively. Myasthenia gravis (MG) was seen in $43.5\%$ at presentation and disappeared in $40\%$ (4/10) after radiotherapy with or without operation. The 3 year cumulative survival rate with and without MG was $90\;and\;78.8\%$, respectively. We could consider that MG was no longer adverse prognostic factor. The complete response rate after partial resection was $100\%$ (3/3), and that after biopsy was $20\%$(3/15). The overall local control rate including complete and partial response rate ($33\;vs\;56\%$)was$89\%$ and the 3 year actuarial survival rate by the response rate was $88.9\%\;and\;81.7\%$, respectively. There was no statistically significant survival difference between two groups. The crude rate of relapse at 3 years was $23.8\%$ (5/21), and $80\%$ (4/5) were locoregional failures. All failures were observed in biopsy only group, while no failure was observed in resected group. The major pattern of the treatment failure was the locoregional failure and the distant metastases was rarely observed.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2005

Background and Objectives: Minor salivary gland tumors vary in their primary sites, histopathology and biological behavior. Therefore, various factors are considered in selecting the treatment modality and predicting the prognosis. We performed this study for the purpose of getting further understanding and more supporting ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of minor salivary gland tumor. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the patients with 52 cases of minor salivary gland tumor who were treated at the Hanyang University Hospital from 1996 to 2003 was performed. We analyzed demography, symptoms, histopathology, treatment and outcomes by the review of medical records. Results: Among 52 cases of minor salivary gland tumor, 46% were classified as benign and 54% were classified as malignant tumors. The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma. Adenoid cystic carcinoma(15/28) was the most common in malignant tumors. Eight patients were males and sixteen patients were females in benign tumors and 10 patients were males and 18 patients were females in malignant tumors. The most common site of benign tumor was the palate(17/22), whereas malignant tumors were most common in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus(9/28). Asymptomatic mass was the most common symptom. According to the criteria given by the AJCC on staging, stage III and IV(21/28) were more common than stage I and 11(7/28). All benign tumors were treated with simple excision and had no recurrence. In malignant tumors, 25 patients underwent radical excisional operation and 13 patients of them had postoperative radiation therapy. Three of them were treated with additional chemotherapy. In whom treated with radical operation, 9 patients had recurrence. Three were recurred at the primary site with neck node metastasis, 3 were recurred at the primary site with lung metastasis, 1 was recurred at the primary site with neck node and lung metastasis, 1 was recurred only at neck node. Conclusion: In minor salivary gland tumor, malignant was more common than benign. Malignant tumor originated from minor salivary gland were more frequently diagnosed at advanced stage with high recurrence rate and distant metastasis. Early detection of the disease is needed to improve the prognosis of the patients with malignant tumors of the minor salivary glands.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 1997

Twenty hundred and five out of 266 patients who were registered in Korea Cancer Center Hospital from Mar. 1985 to Jan. 1994, were analyzed in the aspect of survival and local recurrence. Fifty one patients were excluded due to inadequate data and follow up. Prognostic factors for survival were evaluated statistically. One hundred and four cases were male, 101 female. Average age was 39.7(range 1 to 77) year with a peak incidence around 4th decade. The most frequent diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH)(24.1%). Liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and fibrosarcoma were relatively common diagnostic entities, in decreasing order. In location, extremity was 179(87.3%) and trunk 26(12.7%). Average follow up period was 7.5 years(6 months to 10 years). Actuarial 5 years and 10 years survival rate were 64.0% and 40.8% respectively. In univariate analysis with log-lank test, significant differences in survival rate were noted in histopathological diagnosis, size(10 cm), stage and metastasis. Age, sex, tumor location, tumor depth and local recurrence didn't affect the survival rate. Adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy did not affect overall survival rate, but lowered the local recurrence rate when compared with surgery only. Surgical margin did not affect the survival rate, but local recurrence rate was different according to each margin; 5.7% in more than wide; 39.5% in marginal; and 60.0% in intralesional excision. In multivariate analysis for results of univariate analysis with Cox's propotional model, metastasis was a meaningful factor for survival of soft tissue sarcoma.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 1996

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis, polymorphic reticulosis, midline malignant reticulosis, or lethal midline granuloma have similar histologic features of an angiocentric and angiodestructive lymphoreticular proliferation representing the same nosologic entity. The term 'angiocentric immunoproliferative lesion' (AIL) was proposed by Jaffe, Costa, and Martin. The malignant potential of AILs is originally uncertain, but the facts that AILs have a relatively short survival, and most of them usually progress to an overt malignant lymphoma and survival is inversely proportional to the large, atypical lymphoreticular cells suggest that AILs are malignane. We experienced 17 AILs in nose during 16-year period and retrogradely analized them to recognize the problems in the diagnosis and to establish the further therapeutic strategies. The results were as follows; Twelve of total 17 patients who had diagnosed as histologic grade 1 and 2 had received radiation therapy as an initial treatment and the complete response rate was 91.7%(11/12), but 6 out of 11 had local recurrence and 5 had progress to overt maligant lymphoma within 2years. Three patients with the histologic grade 3 and 2 with unclear histologic grade had received CHOP chemotherapy and there was 1 case with complete response. Two patients with unclear histologic grade had been proved to be malignant histiocytosis by bone marrow biopsy during the clinical course. The overall duration of survival was 2 - 119 months and the 5-year survival rate was 71.9%. And the achievement of initial complete response was the most important prognostic factor of overall survival(P=0.006). Our results suggest that the treatment strategy according to the histologic grading scheme is efficient and more aggressive combination chemotherapy may be necessary to achieve complete response in patients with histologic grade III and II, because most of them progress to overt malignant lymphoma during its process.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.370-376
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• 2011

Objective : Posttraumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI), an infarction in well-defined arterial distributions after head trauma, is a known complication in patients with severe head trauma. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical and radiographic characteristics of PTCI, and to assess the effect on outcome of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) in patients with PTCI. Methods : We present a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with PTCI who were treated between January 2003 and August 2005. Twelve patients among them showed malignant PTCI, which is defined as PTCI including the territory of Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA). Medical records and radiologic imaging studies of patients were reviewed. Results : Infarction of posterior cerebral artery distribution was the most common site of PTCI. Fourteen patients underwent DHC an average of 16 hours after trauma. The overall mortality rate was 75%. Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) of survivors showed that one patient was remained in a persistent vegetative state, two patients were severely disabled and only two patients were moderately disabled at the time of discharge. Despite aggressive treatments, all patients with malignant PTCI had died. Malignant PTCI was the indicator of poor clinical outcome. Furthermore, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at the admission was the most valuable prognostic factor. Significant correlation was observed between a GCS less than 5 on admission and high mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion : In patients who developed non-malignant PTCI and GCS higher than 5 after head injury, early DHC and duroplasty should be considered, before occurrence of irreversible ischemic brain damage. High mortality rate was observed in patients with malignant PTCI or PTCI with a GCS of 3-5 at the admission. A large prospective randomized controlled study will be required to justify for aggressive treatments including DHC and medical treatment in these patients.