• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: The present study looked at the role of radical surgery in gallbladder cancers (GBC) with limited metastatic disease. Methods: The retrospective observational study was conducted to screen the database from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2019. Patients of GBC found to have low-volume metastatic disease upon surgical exploration were included. Results: Of the 1,040 patients operated for GBC, 234 patients had low-volume metastatic disease (microscopic disease in station 16b1 node or N2 disease isolated port-site metastases, or low burden peritoneal disease with deposits less than 1 cm, in adjacent omentum or adjacent diaphragm or Morrison's pouch or a solitary discontinuous liver metastasis in adjacent liver parenchyma) detected intraoperative. Of these, 62 patients underwent radical surgery for R-0 metastatic disease followed by systemic therapy, while the remaining 172 patients did not undergo radical surgery and were given palliative systemic chemotherapy. Patients who underwent radical surgery had significantly superior overall survival (19 months versus 12 months, p < 0.01) and superior progression-free survival (10 months versus 5 months, p < 0.01) when compared to the rest. This difference in survival was more significant amongst patients when operated on after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Regression analysis showed that a sub-group of patients with incidental GBC with limited metastases showed more favorable outcomes with radical surgery. Conclusions: Authors suggest a possible role for radical treatment of advanced GBC with a limited metastatic burden. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be used for preferentially selecting patients of favorable disease biology for curative treatment.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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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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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.243-247
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• 2006

$\underline{Purpose}$: To evaluate the treatment results and prognostic factors of palliative radiation therapy in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer. $\underline{Materials\;&\;Methods$: Thirty-seven evaluable patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer who were treated by palliative radiation therapy for pain relief at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Kangnam St. Mary's hospital, the Catholic University of Korea between March 1984 and February 2005 were analysed retrospectively. There were 22 men and 15 women. Age at diagnosis ranged from 30 to 80 (median 57) years. Twelve patients (32.4%) had liver metastases and 22 patients (59.5%) had lymph node metastases. Radiation therapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes with $1{\sim}2\;cm$ margin, and total dose was $3,240{\sim}5,580\;cGy$ (median 5,040 cGy). Chemotherapy with radiotherapy was delivered in 30 patients (81%) with 5-FU alone (21 patients) or gemcitabine (9 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 44 months. Survival and prognostic factors were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test respectively. $\underline{Results}$: Overall mean and median survival were 11 and 8 months and 1-year survival rate was 20%. Among 33 patients who were amenable for response evaluation, 7 patients had good response and 22 patients had fair response with overall response rate of 87.9%. Mild to moderate toxicity were observed in 14 patients with nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, but severe toxicity requiring interruption of treatment were not observed. Chemotherapy didn't influence the survival and symptomatic palliation, but the group containing gemcitabine showed a tendency of longer survival (median 12 months) than 5-FU alone group (median 5.5 months) without statistical significance (p>0.05). The significant prognostic factors were Karnofsky performance status and liver metastasis (p<0.05). Age, sex, tumor location, lymph node metastasis, and CA 19-9 level did not show any prognostic significance (p>0.05). $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiation therapy was effective for symptomatic palliation in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer and would play an important part in the survival benefit with gemcitabine or other targeted agents.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.194-198
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• 2009

Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Purpose: Malignant bowel obstruction causes gastrointestinal symptoms and leads to diminished quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Several studies have shown the efficacy of octreotide for the relief of malignant bowel obstruction-related symptoms. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of octreotide in patients with malignant bowel obstruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of twenty nine patients who had suffered from malignant bowel obstruction without clinical improvement of conservative care and subsequently, received octreotide treatment. Initial dosage of octreotide was 0.1 mg/day, and dose was escalated depending on the clinical effect. For each patient, we assessed visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain, number of vomiting episode, and amount of nasogastric tube drainage. Results: Median dosage of octreotide was 0.2 mg/day (range 0.1~0.6), and median duration from initial medication to death was 20 days (range 2~103). VAS before and after octreotide treatment were 5.6$\pm$1.24, and 2.7$\pm$0.96, respectively. The numbers of vomiting episode before and after octreotide treatment were 3.6/day$\pm$2.5, and 0.4/day$\pm$0.8, respectively. The mean amounts of nasogastric tube drainage before and after octreotide treatment were 975$\pm$1,083 cc/day and 115$\pm$196 cc/day, respectively. Statistically significant reduction in VAS, the number of vomiting episode and the amount of nasogastric tube drainage were observed after octreotide treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of octreotide in patients with malignant bowel obstruction, which is uncontrolled by other medication, was effective and safe. In such clinical situations, physicians should consider to add of octreotide for symptomatic control.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.218-226
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the public attitude toward the development of national health program for cancer survivorship. Based on the results of this survey suggest the necessity of national health program for cancer survivorship. Methods: We surveyed 1,015 adults who were over 20 years of age from the sixteen cities and local districts of Korea. We conducted a telephone survey with a structured questionnaire on the post-treatment care at the nation and on the permission as the handicapped for cancer. Results: Fifty-six percent of respondents answered that post-treatment program at the national level is very necessary and twenty-seven percent replied that it is necessary. Respondents emphasized 'Expanding insurance coverage for post-treatment care' (29.8%) and 'Systematic education and rehabilitation programs after treatment' (25.6%). This study found that a lower educational level [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04~1.77], earning under 300 per month [aOR=1.36; 95% CI=1.04~1.77], being married (60.2%) [aOR=1.79; 95% CI=1.34~2.37] and thought higher level of cancer treatment in Korea than the advanced (64.4%) [aOR=1.56; 95% CI=1.15~2.12] influenced the positive attitude toward a national health program. Sixty-eight percent of respondents answered 'Strongly agree' or 'agree' to permission for cancer survivors as the handicapped. People who have been married (72.4%) [aOR=1.89; 95% CI=1.41~2.53] and who have had a lower educational level [aOR=1.35; 95% CI=1.03~1.78] responded that they agree more to permission for cancer survivors as the handicapped. Conclusion: This study shows the positive public attitude of the public toward the national health program for the cancer survivors.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 1998

The clinical and pathological features of 35 cases of anaplastic thyroid cancer were studied. These tumors occurred in 12 men and 23 women ranging in age from 19 to 83 years(mean age; 61.7 years). A rapidly enlarging thyroid mass was the most common presentation. The duration of the presence of mass varied from 20 days to 12 months with an average of 2.7 months. Systemic metastasis at the time of initial examination was found in 14 patients(40.0%) and the lung was the most common site of involvement. The overall rate of distant metastasis was about 65.7%. The tumors were subdivided morphologically into giant cell type of 10 cases, spindle cell type of 7 cases, epidermoid cell type of 1 cases, and mixed giant cell and spindle cell type of 5 cases. The mean survival period of 6 among 35 patients who had biopsy alone was 1.4 months. The 22 patients underwent the incomplete combined treatment modalities (palliative surgery with or without chemotherpy or radiation therapy) survived for a mean period of 3.0 months, among them, 7 patients who had surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy showed mean survival period of 3.7 months. The mean survival of 7 patients who had complete combined treatment modality(curative surgery combined with chemotherapy and hyperfractionated radiation therapy) was 6.6 months, only one patient survived for 21 months and one patient has been alive for 1 month after operation, and the others survived for a mean period of 4.8 months. So far, as of July 31, 1998, 34 patients among 35 were died(one has been survived for 1 month) despite the various treatment modalities, and the main cause of death were failure of local control and systemic metastasis. None of the various treatment modalities gave consistently favourable results. However, a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy seemed to have a slight positive effect on survival. Furthermore, the aggressive treatment modalities will be indicated only in the early diagnosed and minimal cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3565-3568
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• 2013

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is the most common cancer in males in Thailand. The outcome is poor although systemic chemotherapy has been used in attempts to improve disease control, quality of life and prolong survival in patient with unresectable and advanced disease. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study the medical records of all patients diagnosed as having unresectable and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and receiving systemic chemotherapy at Udonthani Cancer Hospital during January 2007 to December 2010 were reviewed. Results: Among the total of 105 patients, 21 received gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and 84 5FU-based chemotherapy. Most received platinum doublet regimens. 5FU-based regimens yielded an overall response rate (tumor control) of 23.8% and a median survival of 7.2 months while gemcitabine-based regimens yielded an overall response rate (tumor control) 19.1% and a median survival of 10.0 months. Conclusions: Tumor control and survival of patient with advanced cholangiocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine-based and 5FU-based chemotherapy do not markedly differ.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2009

Quality management is a recent phenomenon. Advanced civilizations that supported the arts and crafts allowed clients to choose goods meeting higher quality standards than normal goods. There are many methods for quality improvement. Health care, refers to the treatment and management of illness, and the preservation of health through services offered by the medical, dental, complementary and alternative medicine, pharmaceutical, clinical laboratory sciences (in vitro diagnostics), nursing, and allied health professions. Health care embraces all the goods and services designed to promote health, including "preventive, curative and palliative interventions, whether directed to individuals or to populations. The overall impact of managed care remains widely debated. Proponents argue that it has increased efficiency, improved overall standards, and led to a better understanding of the relationship between costs and quality. Practices can solicit feedback from patients in a variety of ways: phone surveys, written surveys, focus groups or personal interviews. What do I do with the results? While you don't have to act on every suggestion that your patients give you, you should take action on the key items that are causing dissatisfaction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 1984

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection [TAPVC] defines a group of congenital heart disease which have in common the entire pulmonary venous drainage returning directly or indirectly to the right atrium instead of to the left atrium. Although this disorder represents only 1.3% of cases of congenital heart disease, if untreated the resultant mortality is greater than 80% in the 1st year of life. And since there is no satisfactory palliative treatment, correction of TAPVC Is high on the list of indications for open heart surgery in the 1st year of life. This paper describes 10 patients who underwent surgical correction of this disorder at SNUH between 1978 and 1983. 1. 7 were males and 3 females, with ages ranging from 5 months to 24 years. 2. 7 were supracardiac type, 2 cardiac type, and 1 mixed type TAPVC. We didnt experience infracardiac type. 3. All showed some degree of pulmonary hypertension preoperatively. 4. In 4 cases of supracardiac type, total circulatory arrest was used in brief period during anastomosis between common pulmonary venous trunk and left atrium. In the other cases, usual cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate to deep hyperthermia was used. 5. There were 2 cases of mortality; 1 died at operation, and the other at 4 months due to congestive heart failure. 6. Mortality seemed not closely related to age, body weight, or severity of pulmonary hypertension.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.280-286
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• 1995

In our hospital we have seen 38 cases of esophageal cancer from June 1984 until June 1994. They composed of 34[89% men and 4[11% women, their age distributed from 35 to 74, mean age was 57.55 7.43. Their symptoms were varied, dysphagia[97% , pyrosis[58% , chest pain[31% , weight loss[31% , anemia[8% , vomiting[5% , and hoarseness[1% . Surgical treatment was done with esophagectomy and upper GI reconstruction 35 cases, and palliative gastrostomy was 3 cases. There was no operative mortality, and operative morbidity was 8 cases of anastomotic leakage, 5 cases of wound infection, 5 cases of pleural effusion, hoarseness, pneumothorax, and lung abscess. Pathologic lesion distribution: upper thoracic esophagus 6 cases[16% , middle thoracic esophagus 17 cases[45% , and lower thoracic esophagus 15 cases[39% . There was no statistical difference of transhiatal esophagectomy and transthoracic esophagectomy in complications and hospitalization period in this study but we proved the superiority of gastric upper GI reconstruction rather than colon upper GI reconstruction in anastomotic leakage and hospitalization period. Cumulative survival rate was 76.2% in 1 year survival, 33.9% in 3 year survival, 25.4% in 5 year survival, 12.7% in 10 year survival. There was no relationship with the time of dysphagia with survival in this study.