• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.221-225
• /
• 2003

Purpose: The prognosis for Borrmann type 4 gastric cancer is dismal although therapies for gastric cancer have been developed. We investigated the outcomes for Borrmann type 4 gastric cancers compared to those for other types of cancer. Materials and Methods: Between 1993 and 2000, 777 patients with advanced gastric cancer underwent surgical resection at the Department of Surgery, Korea University Hospital. The clinicopathologic features of 138 patients with Borrmann type 4 carcinomas of the stomach were retrospectively reviewed from the database of gastric cancer. The results were compared with those of 639 patients with other types of gastric carcinomas. Results: Patients with Borrmann type 4 carcinomas tended to be younger and to have larger tumors. The location, the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were significantly different between the two groups. Patients with Borrmann type 4 carcinomas had a more advanced stage than patients with other types of carcinomas. The analysis of the treatment factors revealed that total gastrectomies were more frequent in the group with Borrmann type 4 carcinomas and that the curative resection rate of patients with Borrmann type 4 gastric carcinomas was lower than that of patients with other types of gastric carcinomas (P<0.001). The 5-year survival rate for Borrmann type 4 gastric cancer was $19.4\%$ and that for other types was $52.9\%$ (P=0.001). In curative cases, the 5-year survival rates were $32.8 \%$ for patients with Borrmann type 4 gastric carcinomas and $63.4\%$ for other types of carcinomas (P=0.001). Conclusion: Borrmann type IV gastric cancer has more advanced features and a poorer prognosis than other types of gastric cancer. Improving the prognosis for patients with Borrmann type 4 gastric cancer requires early detection and a curative resection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1627-1632
• /
• 2014

Background: Several studies indicated that the diagnosis season affects the prognosis of some cancers, such as examples in the prostate, colon and breast. This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether the diagnosis and recurrent season impacts the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Methods: From January 2005 to August 2010, 161 epithelial ovarian cancer patients were analyzed and followed up until August 2013. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test were used to make the survival analysis. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent prognostic factors. Results: The prognostic factors of overall survival in epithelial ovarian cancer patients included age, clinical stage, pathological type, histological grade, residual disease after primary surgery, recurrent season and adjuvant chemotherapy cycles. Moreover, clinical stage, histological grade, residual disease after primary surgery, recurrent season and adjuvant chemotherapy cycles also impacted the progression-free survival of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. The diagnosis season did not have a significantly relationship with the survival of operable epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Median overall survival of patients with recurrent month from April to November was 47 months, which was longer (P < 0.001) than that of patients with recurrence month from December to March (19 months). Median progression-free survival of patients with recurrence month from April to November and December to March was 20 and 8 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The recurrence season impacts the survival of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. However, the diagnosed season does not appear to exert a significant influence.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.87-91
• /
• 2020

Background: The incidence of skin cancer, which is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, has steadily increased in recent years. The authors of the present study sought to investigate changes in the epidemiology of skin cancer by conducting a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with skin cancer who received related care at a single medical institution. Methods: The present study included patients who were diagnosed with skin cancer and received treatment at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 2008 to 2018. The site and type of skin cancer, the number of patients with skin cancer each year, the sex and sex ratio of the patients, and changes in patients' age at first diagnosis were examined through retrospective chart reviews. Results: The number of patients with skin cancer significantly increased, but statistically significant changes were not found in patients' sex, skin cancer sites, or the types of skin cancer. However, patients' age at the first diagnosis of skin cancer showed a statistically significant decrease starting in 2015. Conclusion: In this study, the number of patients with skin cancer increased over time. However, patients' age at first diagnosis has decreased since 2015. Therefore, younger patients should take care to prevent skin cancer, and further research on the causes of skin cancer in younger patients is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the disease burden of cancer, to investigate how many cancer patients use CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies with or without conventional medicine, to know reasons for use of cancer CAM therapies, and finally to discuss viewpoints on treating cancer with traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Method: In order to know the disease burden of cancer, the prevalence and mortality of cancer patients of Korean, American, and WHO reports were investigated, and the usage of cancer CAM therapies was investigated in several reports. The viewpoints about cancer treatment with TKM were suggested with the characteristics of TKM. Results: One hundred thousand Korean people were diagnosed [in time period] as new cancer patients, and cancer patients are gradually increasing every year. Cancer is a leading cause of deaths in Korea and worldwide. From 21% to 63% of Korean cancer patients, 80% of American cancer patients, and 35.9% of European cancer patients used CAM therapies, and the most common therapy was an herbal therapy. Conclusions: TKM has been used to treat cancer since initial use of acupuncture and herbs with basic viewpoints on human health and disease. First, TKM regards occurrence of cancer as an environmental problem of the whole human being. Second, the pathologic concept centered on antipathogenic Qi (Zheong Qi) can reinforce the functioning of the patient's own natural vitality to overcome cancer. Third, TKM deals with cancer patients through mind, body, and spirit based on the monoism of mind and body.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 2015

Background: The current study examined health-related quality of life (QoL) for patients with esophageal/gastric cardia precursor lesions or cancer before and after treatment to facilitate improved prevention and treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients with different stages of esophageal/gastric cardia lesions completed two QoL questionnaires, EORTC QLQ-C30 and supplemental QLQ-OES 18, before primary treatment, and at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results: Fifty-nine patients with precursor lesions, 57 with early stage cancer, and 43 with advanced cancer responded to our survey. Patients with precursor lesions or early stage cancer reported better QoL overall than those with advanced cancer before treatment (p<0.01). Global QoL scores before treatment and at 1 month after treatment were $71{\pm}9$ versus $69{\pm}9$ (p>0.01), $71{\pm}8$ versus $61{\pm}11$ (p<0.01), $67{\pm}11$ versus $62{\pm}9$ (p<0.01) for three stages of lesions. At 6 months after treatment, some QoL measures recovered gradually in precursor lesion and early cancer patients, while some continuously deteriorated in advanced cancer patients. At 12 months, all QoL scores were comparable to baseline for patients with precursor lesions (p>0.01), while global QoL, social, pain, and insomnia scores for early stage and advanced cancer were inferior to corresponding baseline levels (difference between means>5, p<0.01). At this time point, compared with patients with early stage cancer, those with advanced cancer showed worse QoL with all function and most symptom measures (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with precursor lesions or early stage esophageal/gastric cardia cancer show better QoL than those with advanced cancer. This indicates that screening, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the QoL for esophageal/gastric cardia cancer patients. Target intervention and counseling should be given by health care providers during treatment and follow-up to facilitate QoL improvement.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.149-152
• /
• 2013

Objective: To compare the influence of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and modified radical mastectomy (MRM) on the psychological state of breast cancer patients. Methods: Patients receiving MRM or BCS, and fulfilling the study criteria, were recruited. Patients were required to complete a self-reporting inventory (SCL-90) on admission and 6 months after surgery and a self-rating depression scale (SDS) when discharged from hospital and 6 months after surgery. Results: A total of 70 patients received MRM and 50 BCS. Compared with the national standard, patients suffered to some extent psychological problems on admission, at discharge from hospital and at 6 months after surgery. Patients received BCS had a higher score of SDS compared with those with MRM when discharged from hospital. However, 6 months after surgery, SDS score increased in MRM and decreased in the BCS group, so the difference was significant. Conclusion: The short-term psychological state of patients receiving BCS is worse than that with MRM but superior to MRM 6 months postoperatively. BCS imposed less influence on long term psychological state of breast cancer patients compared with MRM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6587-6590
• /
• 2014

Objective: To further observe the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed, combined with Irinotecan or oxaliplatin or cisplatin in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer as second-line or third-line chemotherapy. Methods: From September 2013 to February 2014 we recruited 50 patients with advanced gastric cancer, with stage IV disease or postoperative recurrence, or unresectable. Then treated with pemetrexed based chemotherapy. After two cycles of treatment, efficacy and toxicity were evaluated. Results: Pemetrexed based chemotherapy was used as second-line in 33 patients, RR(CR+PR) is 41.2%. And achieved 36.4% when used as third-line. Overall response rate of 50 patients treated with Pemetrexed based treatment was 38% (CR+PR). Treatment related side effects were bone marrow suppression, vomiting, hepatic dysfunction and malaise.No treatment related death occurred. Conclusions: Treatment with pemetrexed based chemotherapy is active and is well tolerated in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.52-62
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study was to analyze the research trend centering on the theses to cancer nursing research in digestive system released in Korea. Method: The researcher collected the academic degrees and theses published on the book of the academic soceity from January 1993 to August, 2004, and examined 38 domestic papers of cancer nursing research in digestive system. Results: 1) As for the subject, the results were : patients with stomach cancer 25(66%), colon cancer 4(11%), rectal cancer 3(8%), and others(taxi drivers 2, family of cancer patents. 2) As for the research designs the result were : quantitative studies were 33(87%), and qualitative studies were 9(23%). 3) As for key concepts of survey, the results were : life patterns of patients with rectal cancer, oral intake of stomach cancer patients, fatigue of stomach cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, nursing needs when discharging from hospital after operation with gastrectomy, and so on. 4) As for the comparative studies, the results were : risk factors between colorectal patients and general population, early symptom and risk factors between stomach cancer patients and general population, and risk factors between stomach cancer and patients with gastritis. 5) As for main concepts of correlational studies, the results were : quality of life, health belief, fatigue, health promotion behavior, social support, straitanxiety. 6) The treatment of experimental research, the results were : information services, arc reflex massage, acupressure, educational program for discharge, 7)As for the qualitative studies, in terms of subjects, stomach cancer patients were 2, spouse of patients with stomach cancer was 1, rectal cancer patients were 2. In the theme of the qualitative studies, the results were: experience of family of patients with stomach cancer, experience of long term survival of patients with rectal cancer, experience of disease process of rectal cancer patiens. 8) As for the used instrument in studies, the results were : Strait-anxiety Scale by Spielberger, Nausea and Vomiting Scale by Rhodes, Social support by Tae and Lee, Health belief by Champion, Becker, and Moon. QOL by NCCN, Roh, Pdilla, Kwon, Revised Fatigue Scale by Piper, Health Locus of Control by Wallston and Wallston, Uncertainty Scale by Mishel. Conclusions: More research needs to be encouraged in various subject of cancer patients in digestive system. More nonexperimental and experimental researches should be conducted for the establishment of the basis of practical and theoretical framework and the providing good quality of care for cancer patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.232-236
• /
• 2012

Purpose: With an increase in life expectancy, more elderly patients are presenting with gastric cancer. As a result it is yet be resolved whether laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy is a suitable treatment for elderly patients with early gastric cancer. This study retrospectively compared surgical outcomes of laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy between elderly and nonelderly patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The study group was comprised of 316 patients who underwent laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy between April 2005 and December 2010. Of these patients, 93 patients whose ages were 65 years or more were compared with 223 patients who were younger. Results: There were no differences in the short term outcome or minor complication rate between the elderly patients and the nonelderly patients. The hospital stay was significantly longer and the major complication rate was significantly higher for the elderly patients compared with nonelderly patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer in the elderly patients had comparable operation time and blood loss with the nonelderly group. However, the safety and advantage of laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy in the elderly patients need to be further studied in higher volume trials.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.30-38
• /
• 2008

Objectives: The main goals of cancer treatment are improvement of quality of life and survival prolongation. There is a limitation to prolonging the survival time in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer patients who visited for traditional Korean cancer treatment. Methods: We evaluated the quality of life of 23 hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer patients who visited for oriental medicine treatment at East-West Neo Medical Center from June to October of 2007. FACT-G (Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General), used in this study, is a scale for evaluation of QOL confirmed validity and reliability, popularly used in many countries to evaluate QOL of cancer patients. Results: The average age of enrolled patients was 57. There were 10 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, 7 pancreatic cancer patients, 6 biliary tract cancer patients. Twenty one patients were in stage IV and 20 patients had distant metastases. By Sasang constitution, Taeumin were 7, Soyangin were 8, and Soeumuin were 8. The baselines of FACT-G score in the first visit were from 34.33 to 85, and the mean score was 67.3. The mean score of FACT-G in hepatocellular carcinoma patients was 67.5, that of pancreatic cancer patients was 62.5, and that of biliary tract cancer patients was 71. Conclusions: This study is valuable as an initial QOL study of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer patients who visited an oriental medical clinic. We believe that consistent studies will be necessary to demonstrate oriental treatment-related quality of life with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer.