• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.24-29
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• 1995

Melanoma of the mucous membrane is a rare condition and has the worse prognosis than that of any other sites. It is usually asymptomatic in early stage and difficult to find out the primary lesion by visual examination, and these facts lead to delay in diagnosis and reduce the curability. The major factor of failure in treatment of melanoma is local recurrence rather than regional spread. Because the radical procedure is difficult in head and neck lesion due to anatomical limitation, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be used in the treatment of local recurrence. We experienced two cases of nasopharyngeal melanoma in advanced stage and treated them with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. And both patients showed relatively favorable response to these palliative treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.1015-1018
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• 2012

Objective: To improve the diagnosis of primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) with/without hepatic metastases by analyzing our experience of different GBC treatment in our patients. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of the 139 patients with GBC who underwent hepatic resection in our unit from January 2003 to December 2007. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they demonstrated hepatic invasion. Tumor presentation, surgical modes, and prognosis of each patient were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were employed to compare the survival rates of those patients undergoing different surgical procedures. Results: Of the 139 patients, 46 were men and 93 were women with the male to female ratio of 1:2.0. Their ages were ranged from 35 to 86 years with a mean age of $62.8{\pm}10.4$ years. There were 73 patients complicated with hepatic invasion (group A), and no hepatic invasion occurred in the other 66 patients (group B). Compared with the group B, the patients with hepatic invasion suffered lower differentiation of tumor (p=0.000), more advanced Nevin staging (p=0.008) and poorer prognosis (p=0.013). Radical resection were more frequently performed in group B (75.76%) than in group A (45.20%) with better outcomes (p=0.000). Conclusion: GBC patients complicated with hepatic invasion had poorer prognosis than those without invasion in long-term follow-ups. Radical resection might result in a satisfied prognosis in patients without hepatic invasion, but appears less favorable than palliative resection in those who were complicated with hepatic invasion.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.231-237
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of palliative gastrojejunostomy for treating patients with unresectable stage IV gastric cancer, and as compared with laparotomy for treating patients with incurable gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied 167 patients who could not undergo resection without obstruction at Korea University Hospital from 1984 to 2007. They were classified into two groups, one that underwent palliative gastrojejnostomy (the bypass group, n=62) and one that underwent explo-laparotomy (the O&C group, n=105), and the clinical data and operative outcomes were compared according to the groups. Results: For the clinical characteristics, there were no differences of age, gender and liver metastasis between the bypass group and the explo-laparotomy group, but there was a significant different for the presence of peritoneal metastasis (P=0.001). There was no difference between two groups for the postoperative mortality and morbidity. For the postoperative outcomes, the duration of the hospital stay (29.25 vs 16.67) and the frequency of re-admission were not different, but the median overall survival (4.3 months vs. 3.4 months, respectively) was significantly different. By multivariate analysis, the presence of peritoneal metastasis was identified as the independent prognostic factor for incurable gastric cancer. Conclusion: A prophylactic bypass procedure is not effective for improving the quality of life and prolonging the life expectancy of unresectable stage IV gastric cancer patients without obstruction.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.3-7
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• 1996

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) is a disease whose primary initial treatment is radiation. Results of radiation therapy in early stage disease is promising; however, in stage IV disease, the best reported five-year survival is only about 30%. In patients with post-radiation recurrent disease, radiation controls only a small portion of patients, as well as being associated with significant radiation injury. In this paper we discuss the use of salvage treatment modalities for post-radiation recurrence. A retrospective chart review and analysis of salvage treatment results were performed for 39 patients with recurrent post-radiation NPC and positive cervical lymph nodes during the period beginning 1985 until 1995. Mean age of these patients was 52.3$\pm$10.37 years and male: female ratio was 1.8 : 1. Twenty patients were treated with salvage treatment, and ten patients were treated by salvage chemotherapy. A total of nine patients underwent surgical salvage treatment, including neck dissection(6), transnasal laser surgery and booster radiotherapy(2), and primary surgery(1). Salvage treatment were effective in reducing patients' pain in twenty patients (51.3%) and prolonging life in nine patients(23.1%); however, recurrence of disease within six months and/or residual disease by clinical or radiologic exam was noted in all patients receiving salvage radiotherapy, chemotherapy, laser surgery with radiotherapy, and primary site surgery. In the group undergoing salvage neck dissection, three patients(50%) were disease free for at least two years. Of the different modalities, radiotherapy was associated with the best quality of life while catastrophic salvage surgery resulting in insignificant prolongation of life was associated with the poorest quality of life. We conclude that salvage surgery is the optimal choice of treatment for regional recurrence such as nodal failure, however palliative salvage therapy could be preferred in other cases with recurrent post-radiation NPC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.144-152
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• 2017

Purpose: The role of radiotherapy (RT) was largely deserted after the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy, but still survival rates are disappointingly low. This study focuses on assessing the clinical efficacy of RT in relation to chemotherapy resistance. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to January 2015, 44 patients were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and treated with palliative RT for persistent or recurrent EOC. All patients received initial treatment with optimal debulking surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. The biologically effective dose (BED) was calculated with ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ set at 10. Ninety-four sites were treated with RT with a median BED of 50.7 Gy (range 28.0 to 79.2 Gy). The primary end-point was the in-field local control (LC) interval, defined as the time interval from the date RT was completed to the date any progressive or newly recurring disease within the RT field was detected on radiographic imaging. Results: The median follow-up duration was 52.3 months (range 7.7 to 179.0 months). The 1-year and 2-year in-field LC rates were 66.0% and 55.0%, respectively. Comparisons of percent change of in-field tumor response showed similar distribution of responses among chemoresistant and chemosensitive tumors. On multivariate analysis of predictive factors for in-field LC analyzed by sites treated, $BED{\geq}50Gy$ (hazard ratio, 0.4; confidence interval, 0.2-0.9; p = 0.025) showed better outcomes. Conclusion: Regardless of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, RT can be a feasible treatment modality for patients with persistent of recurrent EOC. The specific role of RT using updated approaches needs to be reassessed.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.88-94
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• 2009

Chest pain is a symptom observed commonly in outpatients and emergency room patients, and its causes are variable. Because treatment and prognosis of chest pain are different depending on its cause, it is more important than anything else to accurately diagnose the cause of chest pain. Most of patients complaining of chest pain undergo basic tests at a private local clinic or at the Internal medicine or chest surgery department of a general hospital and, they are referred to the pain clinic, with a note stating no particular finding. However, if they have sustained severe neuropathic pain in spite of nerve block, accurate diagnosis for chest pain is essential. We experienced rapidly developing spine breakdown and cord compression caused by metastatic spinal tumor in an inpatient who was being treated for chest pain, and thus, we report here in the case with literature review.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.7-17
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze end-of-life care practices in lung disease patients with physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLSTs). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from medical records regarding the end-of-life care practices of POLST decisions for patients with lung disease hospitalized at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Data were collected from January 1 to June 30, 2021. Results: Of 300 total patients, 198 had lung cancer (66.0%) and 102 had non-malignant lung diseases (34.0%). A POLST was written for 187 patients (62.3%), and an advance directive was written for 20 patients (6.7%). Subsequent treatments were hemodialysis in 13 patients (4.3%), surgery in 3 patients (1.0%), and cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation in 1 patient (0.3%). Among cancer patients, chemotherapy was performed in 11 patients (3.7%), targeted therapy in 11 patients (3.7%), immunotherapy in 6 patients (2.0%), and radiation therapy in 13 patients (4.3%). Depending on the type of lung disease, types of treatment differed, including hemodialysis, ventilators, bilevel positive airway pressure, high-flow nasal cannulas, nebulizers, enteral nutrition, central line, inotropic agents, and opioids. Conclusion: Although the goals of hospice care are the same whether a patient has lung cancer or a non-malignant lung disease, because the characteristics of the respective diseases differ, end-of-life care practices and hospice approaches must be considered differently.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.213-219
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• 1984

131 Patients of non·small cell lung cancer treated with irradiation at Yonsei Canter Center from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1980 were retrospectively analysed. Overall 5 year survival rate was $7\%$ in 117 cases, treated with radiotherapy alone and $33\%$ in 14 Cases, treated with surgery & postoperative ratiotherapy. Their median survival was 9.6 months in the former, while 11.1 months in the latter. The patients treated with radical aim achieved $10\%$ in 5 YSR and with palliative aim, $0\%$. Also, survival according to histolocial classification and staging was obtained. Treatment failure was mostly distant failure (40 cases/49 cases), and within 6 months (34cases/49cases).

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.15-22
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• 2024

Malignant colorectal obstructions urgently require decompression therapy to prevent the severe risks of intestinal ischemia and bowel perforation. In managing malignant colonic strictures endoscopically, the use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) is the predominant approach. Colonic SEMs are primarily used in preoperative decompression therapy before curative surgery and palliative treatment in patients with advanced disease stages. Furthermore, the stenting process, which requires rigorous clinical supervision, can lead to complications. This review endeavors to concisely review the clinical considerations associated with the SEMS procedure, with a focus on its indications, technical aspects, and potential complications that may arise during the procedure.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.182-190
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to establish a large-scale database of patients with gastric cancer to facilitate the development of a nationalcancer management system and a comprehensive cancer control policy. Materials and Methods: An observational prospective cohort study on gastric cancer was initiated in 2010. A total of 14 cancer centers throughout the country and 152 researchers were involved in this study. Patient enrollment began in January 2011, and data regarding clinicopathological characteristics, life style-related factors, quality of life, as well as diet diaries were collected. Results: In total, 4,963 patients were enrolled until December 2014, and approximately 5% of all Korean patients with gastric cancer annually were included. The mean age was $58.2{\pm}11.5$ years, and 68.2% were men. The number of patients in each stage was as follows: 3,394 patients (68.4%) were in stage IA/B; 514 patients (10.4%), in stage IIA/B; 469 patients (9.5%), in stage IIIA/B/C; and 127 patients (2.6%), in stage IV. Surgical treatment was performed in 3,958 patients (79.8%), endoscopic resection was performed in 700 patients (14.1%), and 167 patients (3.4%) received palliative chemotherapy. The response rate for the questionnaire on the quality of life was 95%; however, diet diaries were only collected for 27% of patients. Conclusions: To provide comprehensive information on gastric cancer for patients, physicians, and government officials, a large-scale database of Korean patients with gastric cancer was established. Based on the findings of this cohort study, an effective cancer management system and national cancer control policy could be developed.