• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.37-40
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• 2013

Background and Objectives : To assess the usefulness of computed tomography image before papillary thyroid cancer surgery, focus on confirmation of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis not detected by ultrasonography. Material and Methods : From January 2008 to May 2009, total 150 patients who had undergone thyroid surgery and been confirmed papillary thyroid cancer pathologically were enrolled. They had taken neck computed tomography following the ultrasonography. Results : Computed tomography had found suspicious metastatic lateral neck lesion in 13 patients. After the image study, lateral neck lymph node dissection had been included in their surgical plan. Of these, only 7 cases were confirmed pathologically lateral neck lymph node metastasis(positive predictive value=0.54). Taken as whole 150 patients, additionally 4.7% of patients confirmed lateral neck lymph node metastasis by preoperative computed tomography. Conclusion : If preoperative ultrasonography was performed precisely, additional benefits that could be achieved by computed tomography were not much.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2014

Purpose: As PET-MRI which has excellent soft tissue contrast is developed as integration system, many researches about clinical application are being conducted by comparing with existing display equipments. Because PET-MRI is actively used for head and neck cancer diagnosis in our hospital, lymph node metastasis before the patient's surgery was diagnosed and clinical usefulness of head and neck cancer PET-MRI scan was evaluated using pathological opinions and idiopathy surrounding tissue metastasis evaluation method. Materials and Methods: Targeting 100 head and neck cancer patients in SNUH from January to August in 2013. $^{18}F-FDG$ (5.18 MBq/kg) was intravenous injected and after 60 min of rest, torso (body TIM coil, Vibe-Dixon) and dedication (head-neck TIM coil, UTE, Dotarem injection) scans were conducted using $Bio-graph^{TM}$ mMR 3T (SIEMENS, Munich). Data were reorganized using iterative reconstruction and lymph node metastasis was read with Syngo.Via workstation. Subsequently, pathological observations and diagnosis before-and-after surgery were examined with integrated medical information system (EMR, best-care) in SNUH. Patient's diagnostic information was entered in each category of $2{\times}2$ decision matrix and was classified into true positive (TP), true negative (TN), false positive (FP) and false negative (FN). Based on these classified test results, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, false negative and false positive rate were calculated. Results: In PET-MRI scan results of head and neck cancer patients, positive and negative cases of lymph node metastasis were 49 and 51 cases respectively and positive and negative lymph node metastasis through before-and-after surgery pathological results were 46 and 54 cases respectively. In both tests, TP which received positive lymph node metastasis were analyzed as 34 cases, FP which received positive lymph node metastasis in PET-MRI scan but received negative lymph node metastasis in pathological test were 4 cases, FN which received negative lymph node metastasis but received positive lymph node metastasis in pathological test was 1 case, and TN which received negative lymph node metastasis in both two tests were 50 cases. Based on these data, sensitivity in PET-MRI scan of head and neck cancer patient was identified to be 97.8%, specificity was 92.5%, accuracy was 95%, FN rate was 2.1% and FP rate was 7.00% respectively. Conclusion: PET-MRI which can apply the acquired functional information using high tissue contrast and various sequences was considered to be useful in determining the weapons before-and-after surgery in head and neck cancer diagnosis or in the evaluation of recurrence and remote detection of metastasis and uncertain idiopathy cervical lymph node metastasis. Additionally, clinical usefulness of PET-MRI through pathological test and integrated diagnosis and follow-up scan was considered to be sufficient as a standard diagnosis scan of head and neck cancer, and additional researches about the development of optimum MR sequence and clinical application are required.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 2009

Sinonasal malignant tumors comprise less than 1% of all cancers and 3% of all malignant tumors of the head and neck, which explains a lack of large series addressing the clinical characteristics and management of these tumors. Neck node metastasis occurs in only about 7% to 15% of malignant tumors compared with other head and neck cancers. A 90-yr-old woman presented with left palpable neck mass and right nasal mass occupying nasal cavity. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of left neck mass results in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). PET/CT shows intense FDG uptake in right nasal cavity with bone invasion. Histopathologic examination of excised lesion in the right nasal cavity revealed SCC. We report here on a primary sinonasal SCC with contralateral lymph node metastasis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2010

Background : Though papillary microcarcinoma(PMC) of thyroid gland is known to have very favorable long-term prognosis, the recurrence in the neck and distant metastasis have been often reported. The predictive factors of node metastasis and tumor recurrence in clinical course were investigated to define surgical decision or guidelines in surgery of papillary microcarcinoma. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 216 patients of PMC treated with surgery at Department of Surgery, Busan Paik Hospital for the period from 1997 to 2007. Of these patients, 58 cases showing cervical lymph node metastasis at initial surgery were studied. Results : In overall 216 patients, the sex ratio of male to female was 1 : 9.3(male 21, female 195 cases), the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 44.7 years and the median tumor size was 6.61mm. Neck lymph node metastasis was found in 58 patients(26.9%), thyroid capsular invasion was 56 cases(25.9%), multifocality and bilaterality were found in 32(14.8%) and 29 cases(13.4%), respectively. Through statistical analysis, sex, capsular invasion, ETE, and tumor size(>5mm) were considered to be predictive factors of cervical lymph nodes metastasis. Of them, capsular invasion was the most predictive indicator of cervical lymph node metastasis on multivariate analysis. Nodal recurrence was observed in 6 of 58 patients of node positive at initial surgery. Conclusion : The cervical lymph node metastasis is known to be a risk factor of prognosis in PMC of thyroid gland. The results of this study showed four statistically significant independent predictive factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in PMC : capsular invasion, tumor size(>5mm), ETE, and sex. On multivariate analysis, capsular invasion was a great influencing factor in prediction of lymph node metastasis. Basically, patients who has predictive factors of cervical lymph node metastasis should have a thorough investigation, and close surveillance for nodal status is required in follow-up.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.376-379
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• 2009

Likely to be the most common oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the tongue accounts for about 20% of all oral and pharyngeal cancers. SCC of the tongue frequently arises in the lateral border, and if it metastasize, it occurs on submandibular gland and neck lymph nodes. Location of the primary lesions and neck lymph node metastasis affect the prognosis and decrease survival rate of patients with carcinoma of the tongue. The authors experienced the patient with contralateral neck lymph node metastasis of SCC of the tongue. The patient came to our department with chief complaint of elevated lesion on left lateral border of the tongue. The mass was diagnosed as $T_2N_0M_0$, Stage II invasive SCC of oral tongue. Computed tomography(CT) & magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) which were taken before the operation showed no significant finding of metastasis. Surgical mass removal and preventive neck dissection on the left side were done. While follow up PET/CT, contralateral neck lymph node metastasis(right side, level II) was detected, and re-operation(Rt. side RND) was done. There are few studies concerning the contralateral neck lymph node metastasis related with SCC of the tongue. The purpose of this report is to introduce the uncommon case of contralateral neck lymph node metastasis occurred in the $T_2$-stage of SCC of the tongue treated by surgical resection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2012

Objectives: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C)and vascular endothelial growth factor feceptor-3 (VEGFR-3) in laryngeal squamous carcinoma and its relationship to lymph node metastasis were investigated. Methods: VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 gene expression in 30 cases of normal laryngeal mucosa tissue (NLM), primary laryngeal carcinoma cell carcinomas (PLC) and cervical lymph nodes (CLN) was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein levels of VEGF-C expression were determined by immunohistochemical staining in 60 cases of PLC. Results: Expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 different among NLM, PLC and CLN in the same patient. In PLC, expression was significantly higher in lymph node positive group than in the lymph node negative group and associated with histological grade of differentiation; Expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was not linked with age, sex, site or T stage. Conclusions: A close correlation was found between VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression and lymph node metastasis in PLC, suggesting a role in metastasis of laryngeal carcinomas.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 1995

The authors present 15 cases in which the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was established pathologically among 300 cases of Graves' disease diagnosed clinically at Chosun University Hospital, from January 1982 to December 1994. These cases were analyzed in order to establish guidelines for prophylactic node dissection as part of the initial management of thyroid cancer in patients with Graves' disease. The analysis revealed the following: 1) The average age of the 15 patients was 34.5 years and the male: female ratio was 1 : 4.0. 2) In 8 of the 15 cases(53.5 %) the occult thyroid carcinoma measured less than 1.5cm. 3) The degree of invasivensess manifested in these fifteen cases may be summarized as follows: In Group 1(6 cases) there was absence of microscopic capsular invasion and of lymphnode metastasis. In Group 11(4 cases) threre was microscopic capsular invasion but absence of lymphnode metastasis: In Group III(4 cases) there was either extrathyrodal soft tissue invasion or regional lymph node metastasis: and in Group IV(1 case) there was lymphnode invasion and distant metastasis. 4) Thirteen patients underwent either subtotal or near total thyroidectomy, and 2 patients underwent total thyroidectomy. Seven patients underwent some type of neck dissection, as follows: anterior compartment dissection in one of the cases in Group I; functional neck dissection in two cases and jugular node dissection in one case in Group II; and anterior compartment dissection in one case and modified radical neck dissection in two cases in Group III. 5) The author propose the following guidelines for prophylactic initial node dissection when a unexpected coexisting thyroid carcinoma in encountered on the frozen section during the surgical management of Graves' disease; Group I cases do not require initial neck dissection in group II, anterior compartment dissection in sufficient. In Group III, either jugular node dissection or functional neck dissection should be performed, and followed by postoperative Ra$^{131}$I therapy, Group IV requires Ra$^{131}$I therapy with or without modified radical neck dissection depending in the patient's condition.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2021

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) typically has a good prognosis, but it frequently metastasizes to the regional lymph nodes. Although survival impact of lymph node metastasis is not clear, complementary treatment is generally added after surgery when lymphatic metastasis exists. Several previous studies have reported that the multifocal PTC is associated with poor prognosis and requires selective neck dissection to prevent regional lymph node metastasis, but they are under controversy. In this study, we present a 24-year-old female patient, diagnosed as PTC with intrathyroidal spread and regional lymph node metastases. Intrathyroidal spread of PTC can only be observed microscopically and is believed to have the similar origin of unicentric multifocal PTC. As multifocal PTC is highly associated with regional lymph node metastasis and requires an additional treatment, PTC with intrathyroidal spread may follow a similar clinical course and treatment plan. Here we report the case with a brief literature review and expect its attribution to further academic interest of treatment choice.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-61
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• 2004

Lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer occurs to anterior compartment (level VI) and superior mediastinal lymph node (Level VII). In lateral neck, it occurs commonly in middle and lower jugular lymph node (level III, IV). And it can also metastasis to posterior neck lymph node (level V). Superior mediastinal lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer requires superior mediastinal dissection with massive removal of peritracheal and periesophageal soft tissue. After superior mediastinal dissection, severe complication may occurs such as innominate artery rupture and tracheal necrosis. We describe a case of tracheal necrosis as a complication of superior mediastinal dissection and total thyroidectomy in thyroid cancer patient.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1993

A multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors and five year survival rate was carried out on a series of 72 thyroid cancers treated surgically from 1980 to 1987 and followed for 1 to 11 years. The prognosis of the disease was significantly influenced by age at diagnosis, extracapsular invasion, angioinvasion and pathologic type, but the disease was not influenced by sex, lymph node metastasis, and 'risk' category. The overall five year survival rate was 89.7%. Six patients were dead of tumor after surviving for six months to two and half years, and the cause of death was local recurrence in three, lung metastasis in two and bone metastasis in one patient. Five year survival rate in age above fifty, presence of capsule and angioinvasion, follicular carcinoma, and extrathyroidal lesion was significantly shorter than that of patients with age below fifty, absence of capsule and angioinvasion, papillary carcinoma, and intrathyroidal lesion. Patients at low risk or with small carcinomas had long survival over 5 years with only lobectomy. Lymph node dissection was done with a limited type in no jugular metastasis, radical neck disscetion was performed only therapeutically in proved jugular node metastasis. Thyroid hormone was administered for the period of 3 to 5 years to suppress endogenous TSH production.