• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권6호
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• pp.753-760
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• 2018

Objective : We investigated the effect of optimization in dose-limiting shell method on the dosimetric quality of CyberKnife (CK) plans in treating brain metastases (BMs). Methods : We selected 19 BMs previously treated using CK between 2014 and 2015. The original CK plans ($CK_{original}$) had been produced using 1 to 3 dose-limiting shells : one at the prescription isodose level (PIDL) for dose conformity and the others at low-isodose levels (10-30% of prescription dose) for dose spillage. In each case, a modified CK plan ($CK_{modified}$) was generated using 5 dose-limiting shells : one at the PIDL, another at intermediate isodose level (50% of prescription dose) for steeper dose fall-off, and the others at low-isodose levels, with an optimized shell-dilation size based on our experience. A Gamma Knife (GK) plan was also produced using the original contour set. Thus, three data sets of dosimetric parameters were generated and compared. Results : There were no differences in the conformity indices among the $CK_{original}$, $CK_{modified}$, and GK plans (mean 1.22, 1.18, and 1.24, respectively; p=0.079) and tumor coverage (mean 99.5%, 99.5%, and 99.4%, respectively; p=0.177), whereas the $CK_{modified}$ plans produced significantly smaller normal tissue volumes receiving 50% of prescription dose than those produced by the $CK_{original}$ plans (p<0.001), with no statistical differences in those volumes compared with GK plans (p=0.345). Conclusion : These results indicate that significantly steeper dose fall-off is able to be achieved in the CK system by optimizing the shell function while maintaining high conformity of dose to tumor.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권2호
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• pp.271-281
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• 2021

Objective : Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved for treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the safety and efficacy of combined ICI and Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) treatment remain undefined. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed patients treated with ICIs with or without GKS at our institute to manage patients with brain metastases from NSCLC. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with brain metastases from NSCLC treated with ICIs between January 2015 and December 2017. Of 134 patients, 77 were assessable for brain responses and categorized into three groups as follows : group A, ICI alone (n=26); group B, ICI with concurrent GKS within 14 days (n=24); and group C, ICI with non-concurrent GKS (n=27). Results : The median follow-up duration after brain metastasis diagnosis was 19.1 months (range, 1-77). At the last follow-up, 53 patients (68.8%) died, 20 were alive, and four were lost to follow-up. The estimated median overall survival (OS) of all patients from the date of brain metastasis diagnosis was 20.0 months (95% confidence interval, 12.5-27.7) (10.0, 22.5, and 42.1 months in groups A, B, and C, respectively). The OS was shorter in group A than in group C (p=0.001). The intracranial disease progression-free survival (p=0.569), local progression-free survival (p=0.457), and complication rates did not significantly differ among the groups. Twelve patients showed leptomeningeal seeding (LMS) during follow-up. The 1-year LMS-free rate in treated with ICI alone group (69.1%) was significantly lower than that in treated with GKS before ICI treatment or within 14 days group (93.2%) (p=0.004). Conclusion : GKS with ICI showed no favorable OS outcome in treating brain metastasis from NSCLC. However, GKS with ICI did not increase the risk of complications. Furthermore, compared with ICI alone, GKS with ICI may be associated with a reduced incidence of LMS. Further understanding of the mechanism, which remains unknown, may help improve the quality of life of patients with brain metastasis.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.509-518
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• 2019

목적: 악성 종양 환자에서 림프절 전이를 발견하는 것은 초기에 정확한 병기 및 예후와 관련된 정보를 알 수 있고 수술 후 보조치료(adjuvant therapy)의 필요성을 평가해서 조기에 치료를 할 수 있도록 해주기 때문에 중요하다. 본 연구를 통해 정형외과 영역의 악성 종양 환자를 평가함에 있어 양전자 방출 컴퓨터 단층 촬영기(positron emission tomography/computed tomography, PET/CT)가 sentinel lymph node biopsy와 비교하여 유용한지를 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 2008년부터 2018년까지 악성 근골격계 종양으로 진단받고 PET/CT를 촬영한 환자 251명 중 72명의 환자를 선별하여 후향적 분석을 시행하였다. 림프절 전이가 의심되는 환자군은 조직검사를 시행하였다. 분석은 의무기록, 임상정보, PET/CT 영상 및 판독 소견, 병리 결과를 통해 시행하였으며, 임상경과 및 병리검사 결과를 PET/CT 결과와 비교하여 PET/CT의 정확도를 평가하였다. 결과: 환자의 나이는 14세에서 88세까지 분포하였고, 평균 추시 기간은 2.4년이었으며, 22명에서 림프절의 전이가 확인되었다. 육종 및 비육종 종양에서 PET/CT 영상의 민감도, 특이도, 양성예측도, 음성예측도는 전문가의 소견을 함께 고려할 경우 상당히 상승하는 것을 확인하였다. 결론: 본 연구를 통하여 전문가의 소견을 함께 고려한다면, 림프절의 전이를 발견하는 데 PET/CT의 유용성은 증가할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제35권9호
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• pp.659-663
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• 2002

이 논문은 비소세포폐암으로 새로이 진단 받은 환자에서 수술 전 병기판정에 통상적으로 골 스캔의 유용성에 대하여 연구하였다. 대상 및 방법: 서울대병원에서 2000년 1월부터 12월까지 비소세포 폐암으로 진단 받은 환자 258명을 대상으로 하였다. 수술 전 병기는 과반수에서(132명) 수술이 불가능할 정도로 진행된 상태였다. 골 원격전이의 임상 평가 항목으로 증상, alkaline phosphatase, calcium 등을 채택하였고 모든 환자의 골 스캔 결과를 검토하여, 각각의 민감도, 특이도, 음성 예측률, 양성 예측률을 산출하였다. 최종적인 골 전이의 판단은 일반 X-lay나 MRI 또는 골 생검을 기준으로 하였다. 골 전이만 없다면 수술이 가능한 (“potentially operable”)환자 126명의 임상 경과를 따로 분석하여 수술 대상 환자에서 골 전이에 대한 임상 평가의 중요성을 검토하였다. 결과: 골 전이에 대한 골 스캔의 민감도는 96%, 특이도는 75% 양성 예측률은 44%, 음성 예측률은 99%였고, 골 스캔에 대한 임상 평가의 민감도, 특이도, 양성 예측률, 음성 예측률은 각각 54%, 73%, 54%, 72%였다. 골 전이에 대한 임상 평가의 경우는 80%, 70%, 38%, 94%였다. 골 전이만 배제하면 수술이 가능하였던 “potentially operable”군 환자 126명에서 골 전이에 대한 임상 평가의 음성 예측률은 99%였다. 결론: 폐암 진단 당시 병기 결정에 있어서, 골 전이에 대한 철저한 임상 평가가 필수적이다. 특히 골 전이 외에 다른 수술 불가능 요인이 없는 환자군에서 임상 평가 결과 특이사항이 없을 경우 골 전이의 확률이 매우 낮아, 통상적인 골 스캔 없이도 근치적 수술을 고려할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 그러나 임상 평가 결과 양성인 경우에는 약 30% 이상의 환자에서 골 전이가 발견되므로 골 전이를 발견하기 위한 골 스캔은 물론 다른 여러 가지 진단법을 적극적으로 검토해야 한다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권9호
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• pp.912-923
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to validate the risk stratification system (RSS) and biopsy criteria for cervical lymph nodes (LNs) proposed by the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive series of preoperative patients with thyroid cancer who underwent LN biopsy, ultrasound (US), and computed tomography (CT) between December 2006 and June 2015. LNs were categorized as probably benign, indeterminate, or suspicious according to the current US- and CT-based RSS and the size thresholds for cervical LN biopsy as suggested by the KSThR. The diagnostic performance and unnecessary biopsy rates were calculated. Results: A total of 277 LNs (53.1% metastatic) in 228 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 47.4 years ± 14) were analyzed. In US, the malignancy risks were significantly different among the three categories (all P < 0.001); however, CT-detected probably benign and indeterminate LNs showed similarly low malignancy risks (P = 0.468). The combined US + CT criteria stratified the malignancy risks among the three categories (all P < 0.001) and reduced the proportion of indeterminate LNs (from 20.6% to 14.4%) and the malignancy risk in the indeterminate LNs (from 31.6% to 12.5%) compared with US alone. In all image-based classifications, nodal size did not affect the malignancy risks (short diameter [SD] ≤ 5 mm LNs vs. SD > 5 mm LNs, P ≥ 0.177). The criteria covering only suspicious LNs showed higher specificity and lower unnecessary biopsy rates than the current criteria, while maintaining sensitivity in all imaging modalities. Conclusion: Integrative evaluation of US and CT helps in reducing the proportion of indeterminate LNs and the malignancy risk among them. Nodal size did not affect the malignancy risk of LNs, and the addition of indeterminate LNs to biopsy candidates did not have an advantage in detecting LN metastases in all imaging modalities.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) has high mortality owing to its aggressive nature. Tumor angiogenesis plays an essential role in the growth, invasion, and metastatic spread of GC. The aim of this work was to review the angiogenic biomarkers related to the behavior of GC, documented in the literature. A search of the PubMed database was conducted with the MeSH terms: "Stomach neoplasms/blood [MeSH] or stomach neoplasms/blood supply [MeSH] and angiogenic proteins/blood [Major]". A total of 30 articles were initially collected, and 4 were subsequently excluded. Among the 26 articles collected, 16 examined the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), 4 studied endostatin, 3 investigated angiopoietin (Ang)-2, 2 studied the Ang-like protein 2 (ANGTPL2), and 1 each examined interleukin (IL)-12, IL-8, and hypoxia inducible factor. Regarding VEGF, 6 articles concluded that the protein was related to lymph node metastasis or distant metastases. Five articles concluded that VEGF levels were elevated in the presence of GC and decreased following tumor regression, suggesting that VEGF levels could be a predictor of recurrence. Four articles concluded that high VEGF levels were correlated with poor prognosis and lower survival rates. Ang-2 and ANGTPL2 were elevated in GC and associated with more aggressive disease. Endostatin was associated with intestinal GC. VEGF is the most extensively studied angiogenic factor. It is associated with the presence of neoplastic disease and lymph node metastasis. It appears to be a good biomarker for disease progression and remission, but not for diagnosis. The data regarding other biomarkers are inconclusive.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제70권2호
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• pp.139-142
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• 2011

Background: Lung cancer is responsible for substantial proportions of cutaneous metastasis from internal malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of cutaneous metastasis in Korean lung cancer patients. Methods: On a retrospective basis, we analyzed medical records of all patients diagnosed with lung cancer from 2000 to 2006. Results: Cutaneous metastases were found in 10 of 4,385 patients. The number of cases was highest for squamous cell carcinoma. However, there was no metastasis from 754 cases of small cell carcinomas. Cutaneous metastasis was detected during staging work-up in 4 patients and it was the presenting sign of recurrence post-operative in 2 patients. Average time from the diagnosis to discovery of cutaneous metastasis was 16.3 months and median survival was 8.5 months (range, 1.8~19.1 months). Conclusion: Physicians should be acquainted with clinical manifestations and outcomes of cutaneous metastasis from lung cancer to detect new, recurrent cancer, or disease progression, and to administer appropriate and prompt management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.451-455
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• 2016

Background: This study assessed the efficacy of pulmonary metastasectomy for synovial sarcoma in adult patients. Methods: Fifty patients, diagnosed with pulmonary metastasis from June 1990 to August 2010, were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-eight patients underwent complete pulmonary metastasectomy, and their survival was evaluated. Age, sex, time to metastatic progression, laterality, number of tumors, size of largest nodule, and number of metastasectomies were analyzed as potential prognostic factors. Results: In all, 29 patients underwent at least one pulmonary metastasectomy, and 51 resections were performed. One intraoperative mortality occurred, and the 5-year survival rate was 58.4%. Bilateral metastases and early metastatic progression were associated with poor survival in multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Surgical resection can be a good option for treating pulmonary metastasis in patients with synovial sarcoma. Repeated resection was feasible with low mortality and morbidity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9865-9869
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• 2014

Background: Transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) is one of several methods for establishing tissue diagnosis of lung lesions. Other tissue or cell sources for diagnosis include sputum, endobronchial biopsy, washing and brushing, endobronchial FNA, transthoracic core needle biopsy, biopsy from thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of FNA and other diagnostic tests in diagnosing lung lesions. Materials and Methods: The population included all patients undergoing FNA for lung lesions at Meir Medical Center from 2006 through 2010. Information regarding additional tissue tests was derived from the electronic archives of the Department of Pathology, patient records and files from the Department of Oncology. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each test. Results: FNA was carried out in 245 patients. Malignant tumors were diagnosed in 190 cases (78%). They included adenocarcinoma (43%), squamous cell carcinoma (15%), non-small cell carcinoma, not otherwise specified (19%), neurondocrine tumors (7%), metastases (9%) and lymphoma (3%). The specificity of FNA for lung neoplasms was 100%; sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were 87%. Conclusions: FNA is the most sensitive procedure for establishing tissue diagnoses of lung cancer. Combination with core needle biopsy increases the sensitivity. Factors related to the lesion (nature, degenerative changes, location) and to performance of all stages of test affect the ability to establish a diagnosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7401-7407
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• 2013

Aim: To compare survival outcomes after whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and WBRT plus SRS combination therapy in Korea, by performing a quantitative systematic review. Materials and Methods: We searched 10 electronic databases for reports on Korean patients treated with WBRT or SRS for brain metastases published prior to July 2010. Independent reviewers screened all articles and extracted the data. When a Kaplan-Meier survival curve was available, median survival time and standard errors were calculated. Summary estimates for the outcomes in each study were calculated using the inverse variance random-effects method. Results: Among a total of 2,761 studies, 20 studies with Korean patients (n=1,053) were identified. A combination of 12 studies (n=566) with WBRT outcomes showed a median survival time of 6.0 months (95%CI: 5.9-6.2), an overall survival rate of 5.6% (95%CI: 1-24), and a 6-month survival rate of 46.5% (95%CI: 37.2-56.1). For nine studies (n=412) on SRS, the median survival was 7.9 months (95%CI: 5.1-10.8), and the 6-month survival rate was 63.1% (95%CI: 49.8-74.8). In six studies (n=75) using WBRT plus SRS, the median survival was 10.7 months (95%CI: 4.7-16.6), and the overall and 6-month survival rates were 16.8% (95%CI: 6.2-38.2) and 85.7% (95%CI: 28.3-96.9), respectively. Conclusions: WBRT plus SRS showed better 1-year survival outcome than of WBRT alone for Korean patients with metastatic brain tumors. However, the results of this analysis have to be interpreted cautiously, because the risk factors of patients were not adjusted in the included studies.