• 제목/요약/키워드: Primary cancer control

검색결과 359건 처리시간 0.023초

Re-irradiation of unresectable recurrent head and neck cancer: using Helical Tomotherapy as image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy

  • Jeong, Songmi;Yoo, Eun Jung;Kim, Ji Yoon;Han, Chi Wha;Kim, Ki Jun;Kay, Chul Seung
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • 제31권4호
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    • pp.206-215
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: Re-irradiation (re-RT) is considered a treatment option for inoperable locoregionally recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) after prior radiotherapy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of re-RT using Helical Tomotherapy as image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy in recurrent HNC. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with recurrent HNC and received re-RT were retrospectively reviewed. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoints were locoregional control and toxicities. Results: The median follow-up period of total 9 patients was 18.7 months (range, 4.1 to 76 months) and that of 3 alive patients was 49 months (range, 47 to 76 months). Median dose of first radiotherapy and re-RT was 64.8 and 47.5 $Gy_{10}$. Median cumulative dose of the two courses of radiotherapy was 116.3 $Gy_{10}$ (range, 91.8 to 128.9 $Gy_{10}$) while the median interval between the two courses of radiation was 25 months (range, 4 to 137 months). The response rate after re-RT of the evaluated 8 patients was 75% (complete response, 4; partial response, 2). Median locoregional relapse-free survival after re-RT was 11.9 months (range, 3.4 to 75.1 months) and 5 patients eventually presented with treatment failure (in-field failure, 2; in- and out-field failure, 2; out-field failure, 1). Median OS of the 8 patients was 20.3 months (range, 4.1 to 75.1 months). One- and two-year OS rates were 62.5% and 50%, respectively. Grade 3 leucopenia developed in one patient as acute toxicity, and grade 2 osteonecrosis and trismus as chronic toxicity in another patient. Conclusion: Re-RT using Helical Tomotherapy for previously irradiated patients with unresectable locoregionally recurrent HNC may be a feasible treatment option with long-term survival and acceptable toxicities.

Influence of Maternal Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Assessed by Hair Nicotine Levels on Birth Weight

  • Lee, Jungun;Lee, Dong-Ryul;Lee, Do-Hoon;Paek, Yu-Jin;Lee, Won-Chul
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • 제16권7호
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    • pp.3029-3034
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    • 2015
  • Background: While the perinatal outcomes of active maternal smoking are well documented, results of the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure during pregnancy are inconsistent. We aimed to examine the effect of ETS exposure, assessed by maternal hair nicotine levels at $35^{th}$ week of gestation, on birth weight and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight (LBW). Materials and Methods: A total of 871 non-smoking healthy pregnant women were recruited by one Korean hospital between 1 October 2006 and 31 July 2007. Hair samples were collected and anthropometric questionnaires administered at $35^{th}$ week of gestation. The primary outcome was birth weight and secondary outcomes were the risk of babies being SGA and LBW. Results: Log-transformed hair nicotine concentrations were inversely related with birth weight after adjusting for confounding variables (${\beta}=-0.077$, p=0.037). After stratifying hair nicotine levels by tertiles (T1, low [0.0-0.28 ng/mg]; T2, medium [0.29-0.62 ng/mg]; and T3, high [0.63-5.99 ng/mg]), the mean birth weight in each groups were 3,342g (T1) 3,296g (T2) and 3,290 g (T3), respectively. However the difference between groups was not statistically significant by analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) adjusting for covariates (p=0.062). In logistic regression analysis, the risk of SGA was higher in the T3 (OR=1.59, 95%CI 1.05-2.42) than in the reference group (T1), after controlling for confounding variables. The risk of low birth weight (<2,500g, LBW) was not significantly higher (OR=1.44, 95%CI 0.95-2.19), but the risk of babies being below 3,000g birth weight was increased in the T3 group (OR=1.53, 95%CI 1.00-2.36) compared with that in the T1 group. Conclusions: Maternal ETS exposure during pregnancy was inversely related with birth weight. The risk of SGA increased in the highest ETS exposure group compared with in the low exposure group. To prevent ETS exposure during pregnancy, more comprehensive tobacco control policies are needed.

Protective Effect of Selenium on Experimental Colon Carcinogenesis in Mice Fed a Low Iron Diet

  • Park, Hyun-Ji;Kim, Jun-Hyeong;Kang, Bong-Su;Nam, Sang-Yoon;Kim, Jong-Soo;Jeong, Jae-Hwang;Kim, Eun-Young;Lee, Beom-Jun;Yun, Young-Won
    • 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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    • 제26권4호
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    • pp.388-397
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    • 2011
  • Selenium (Se) is known to prevent from several cancers, while iron (Fe) is known to be associated with high risk of cancers. The role of Se on colon carcinogenesis was investigated in an animal model induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in low Fe mice. Six-week old ICR mice fed on a low Fe diet (4.5 ppm Fe; generally 10 times lower than normal Fe) with three different Se (0.02, 0.1 or 0.5 ppm) levels for 24 weeks. The animals received weekly three ($0{\sim}2^{nd}$ weeks) i.p. injections of AOM (10 mg/kg RW), followed by 2% DSS with drinking water for 1 week to induce the colon cancer. There were five experimental groups including vehicle, positive control (normal Fe level, AOM/DSS), Low Fe (LFe) + AOM/DSS+Low Se (LSe), LFe + AOM/DSS + medium Se (MSe) and LFe + AOM/DSS + high Se (HSe) groups. HSe group showed a 66.7% colonic tumor incidence, MSe group showed a 69.2% tumor incidence, and LSe group showed a 80.0% tumor incidence. The tumor incidence was negatively associated with Se levels of diets. Tumor multiplicity in Hse group was significantly low compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). With increasing Se levels of diets, the primary anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were decreased and apoptotic bodies were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity and its protein level were dependent on the levels of Se of diets. Malondialdehyde level in liver was lowest in Hse group among experimental groups. These findings indicate that dietary Se is chemopreventive for colon cancer by increasing antioxidant activity and decreasing cell proliferation in Fe-deficient mice.

Prognostic Factors and Scoring Systems for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Harboring Brain Metastases Treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

  • Eom, Jung-Seop;Cho, Eun-Jung;Baek, Dong-Hoon;Lee, Kyung-Nam;Shin, Kyung-Hwa;Kim, Mi-Hyun;Lee, Kwang-Ha;Kim, Ki-Uk;Park, Hye-Kyung;Kim, Yun-Sung;Park, Soon-Kew;Cha, Seong-Heon;Lee, Min-Ki
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • 제72권1호
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    • pp.15-23
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    • 2012
  • Background: The survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases is reported to be 3~6 months even with aggressive treatment. Some patients have very short survival after aggressive treatment and reliable prognostic scoring systems for patients with cancer have a strong correlation with outcome, often supporting decision making and treatment recommendations. Methods: A total of one hundred twenty two NSCLC patients with brain metastases who received gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) were analyzed. Survival analysis was calculated in all patients for thirteen available prognostic factors and four prognostic scoring systems: score index for radiosurgery (SIR), recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), graded prognostic assessment (GPA), and basic score for brain metastases (BSBM). Results: Age, Karnofsky performance status, largest brain lesion volume, systemic chemotherapy, primary tumor control, and medication of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor were statistically independent prognostic factors for survival. A multivariate model of SIR and RPA identified significant differences between each group of scores. We found that three-tiered indices such as SIR and RPA are more useful than four-tiered scoring systems (GPA and BSBM). Conclusion: There is little value of RPA class III (most unfavorable group) for the same results of 6-month and 1-year survival rate. Thus, SIR is the most useful index to sort out patients with poorer prognosis. Further prospective trials should be performed to develop a new molecular- and gene-based prognostic index model.

$^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT 검사에서 이뇨제 사용여부에 따른 $^{18}F$-FDG 배설 특성 (Characteristic of $^{18}F$-FDG Excretion According to Use Diuretics in $^{18}F$-FDG of PET/CT)

  • 장동근;양승오;이상호;배종림;김정구
    • 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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    • 제35권2호
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    • pp.151-156
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    • 2012
  • $^{18}F$-fluorodeoxyglucose ($^{18}F$-FDG)는 상당한 양의 방사능이 신장과 비뇨기계에 저류 되어 영상의 질을 저하시키고 진단 성능을 저하시킨다. 이러한 $^{18}F$-FDG의 비뇨기계 저류를 막기 위해 이뇨제를 사용하여 검사를 진행하게 된다. 이때 사용되는 이뇨제가 영상에 미치는 영향과 $^{18}F$-FDG 배설률에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. PET/CT 검사를 시행한 환자 중 신장의 원발성 종양 또는 전이 병변이 없는 환자를 대상으로 $^{18}F$-FDG와 함께 이뇨제를 주사한 그룹, 생리식염수를 주사한 그룹, $^{18}F$-FDG만을 주사 한 정상군 그룹으로 진행하였으며, 각 그룹의 관심영역을 설정하여 SUV를 측정하였다. 또한 정량적 분석을 위하여 $^{18}F$-FDG를 주사 후 이뇨제 투여 여부에 따른 SUV를 비교 평가하였다. SUV 측정에 따라 영상의 배후방사능이 감소된 영상을 얻을 수 있었으며 이뇨제 사용으로 배설된 소변의 양이 늘어났지만, 소변에 방사능량의 변화가 없는 상반된 결과가 나타났다. 따라서 이뇨제가 영상의 배후방사능을 줄일 수는 있지만 $^{18}F$-FDG 배설에는 영향을 미치지 못함을 확인 하였다.

국한성 두경부 대세포성(Diffuse Large Cell) 림프종의 적정 방사선 조사선량 (The Optimal Radiation Dose in Localized Head and Neck Diffuse Large Cell Lymphoma)

  • 금웅섭;서창옥;김용배;심수정;표홍렬;노재경;정현철;김귀언
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • 제20권4호
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    • pp.303-308
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    • 2002
  • 목적 : 두경부에 국한된 1기, 2기 대세포성(diffuse large cell) 비호치킨 림프종의 항암화학방사선 병용요법 시 방사선 조사영역 내의 재발을 예방하기 위한 적정 방사선 조사선량을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1985년 5월부터 1998년 12월까지 국한성 두경부 대세포성 림프종으로 항암화학요법 후 방사선치료를 받은 53명을 대상으로 하였다. 나이는 13세부터 69세까지였으며 중앙값은 49세였다. 남녀 비는 1.65대 1이었고 1기, 2기 환자가 각각 27명, 26명이었다. 종양 크기별로 5 cm 미만이 30명, 5 cm 이상이 23명이었다. 원발부위는 경부림프절 22명, 편도 20명, 비인두 4명, 설기저부 3명, 부비동 2명, 후두 1명, 연구개 1명이었다. 항암화학요법은 1명을 제외하고 3회 이상 시행되었으며 방사선치료는 48명이 원발부위와 경부임파선을, 5명이 원발부위만 치료하였다. 생존율, 무병생존율, 조사영역 내 무재발생존율과 방사선 조사선량에 따른 방사선 조사영역 내에서의 재발빈도를 조사하였다. 결과 : 항암화학요법 후 44명$(83\%)$이 완전관해 되었고 연이은 방사선치료 후 53명 모두 완전관해 되었다. 12명$(23\%)$이 재발하였고 그중 2명은 방사선 조사영역 내 재발이었고 방사선 조사영역 바깥 재발은 11명으로 복강 및 골반내 림프절이 가장 많았다. 방사선 조사선량 별 조사영역 내 재발은 $30\~35\;Gy$에서 7명 중 1명, $35\~40\;Gy$에서 16명중 1명이었고 40 Gy 이상에서는 재발이 없었다. 방사선 조사영역 내 재발에 유의한 예후인자는 없었으나 5 cm 이상인 종양에서 재발하였고 5 cm 미만인 종양은 30 Gy에서도 재발하지 않았다. 10 년 방사선 조사영역내 무재발 생존율, 무병생존율, 전체생존율은 각각 $96\%,\;76\%,\;75\%$였다. 결론 : 국한성 두경부 대세포성 림프종에서 항암화학방사선 병용요법 시 종양의 크기가 5 cm 미만인 경우에는 30Gy의 방사선 조사선량으로도 국소제어를 할 수 있다. 따라서 방사선치료에 따르는 구강건조증을 최소화시킬 수 있을 것이다. 5 cm 이상의 종양에서는 30 Gy 이상의 방사선 조사 선량이 필요하리라 생각된다.

Definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for clinical stage T4N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer

  • Kim, Yeon Joo;Song, Si Yeol;Jeong, Seong-Yun;Kim, Sang We;Lee, Jung-Shin;Kim, Su Ssan;Choi, Wonsik;Choi, Eun Kyung
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • 제33권4호
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    • pp.284-293
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: To determine failure patterns and survival outcomes of T4N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Ninety-five patients with T4N0-1 NSCLC who received definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy from May 2003 to October 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The standard radiotherapy scheme was 66 Gy in 30 fractions. The main concurrent chemotherapy regimen was $50mg/m^2$ weekly paclitaxel combined with $20mg/m^2$ cisplatin or AUC 2 carboplatin. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were failure patterns and toxicities. Results: The median age was 64 years (range, 34 to 90 years). Eighty-eight percent of patients (n = 84) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1, and 42% (n = 40) experienced pretreatment weight loss. Sixty percent of patients (n = 57) had no metastatic regional lymph nodes. The median radiation dose was EQD2 67.1 Gy (range, 56.9 to 83.3 Gy). Seventy-one patients (75%) were treated with concurrent chemotherapy; of these, 13 were also administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 21 months (range, 1 to 102 months), 3-year OS was 44%. The 3-year cumulative incidences of local recurrence and distant recurrence were 48.8% and 36.3%, respectively. Pretreatment weight loss and combined chemotherapy were significant factors for OS. Acute esophagitis over grade 3 occurred in three patients and grade 3 chronic esophagitis occurred in one patient. There was no grade 3-4 radiation pneumonitis. Conclusion: Definitive radiotherapy for T4N0-1 NSCLC results in favorable survival with acceptable toxicity rates. Local recurrence is the major recurrence pattern. Intensity modulated radiotherapy and radio-sensitizing agents would be needed to improve local tumor control.

근칙적 절제술과 술후 방사선치료를 시행한 자궁경부암 환자의 치료성적, 예루인자와 실패양상 (Adjuvant Radiotherapy Following Radical Hysterectomy and Bilateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for the Uterine Cervical Cancer : Prognostic Factors and Failure Patterns)

  • 최두호
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • 제15권4호
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    • pp.357-367
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    • 1997
  • 목적 : 근치적 절제술과 골반림프절 절제술을 시행한 자궁경부암 환자 중에서 치료실패의 위험인자가 있어서 술후 방사선치료를 시행한 환자를 대상으로 치료성적, 예후인자, 실패양상을 알아보기 위하여 후향적 분석을 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : FIGO 병기 IB, IIA와 IIB 환자 중에서 근치적 수술과 방사선치료를 시행하고 추적조사가 가능하였던 124명을 대상으로 하였다. 환자들은 1985년 3월부터 1994년 3원까지 수술후 방사선치료를 시행하였으며 최소 추적기간은 24개월이었다. 모든 환자는 4-MV 선형가속기를 이용한 외부방사선치료를 전골반에 50-6OGy를 조사하였고 일부 환자는 코발트를 이용한 고선량율 강내치료를 추가하였다. 결과 : 전체 환자의 5년 생존율과 5년 무병 생존율은 각각 $75.4\%,\;73.5\%$였고, 단변수 분석상 5년 무병 생존율에 영향을 미치는 인자는 림프절 전이 유무, 개수와 위치, 종양의 크기, 자궁체부 침운, 자궁주위조직 침윤, 병기, 자궁경부벽 침윤정도, 질 절제면 양성, 그리고 치료 관계 인자로 방사선량, 강내치료, 항암제 등이 통계상 유의하였으며, 다변량 분석상 림프절 전이와 종양의 크기, 질 절제면 양성이 유의하였다. 치료 실패는 33명이었고 2명은 다른 원인으로 사망하였고 부위별로는 국소재발이 13명, 원격전이 13명 국소-원격 동시 실패가 7명이었고 추적 종료시점까지 5명이 생존하였다. 국소재발은 병기 IB, 림프절 전이 양성 또는 질 절제면 양성 환자에서 많이 발생하였으며 림프절 전이 음성환자에서는 빈도는 낮았으나 원격전이가 상대적으로 더 많았다. 그리고 병기 lIB에서 5년 생존율 은 $56\%$ 였고 22명 중에서 9명이 재발하였다. 결론 : 수술후 방사선치료는 비교적 효과적인 방법이지만 다수의 재발 위험인자들을 가진 환자에게 술후 방사선치료만으로는 재발을 막기가 충분하지 않으므로 방사선감작제의 추가나 동시방사선-항암치료 등의 보다 효과적인 방법이 필요할 것으로 성각되며, 술혹 방사선치료의 효율을 정하기 위하여 무작위 표본 추출에 의한 전향적 연구가 필오하다. 그리고 병기 IIB는 항암치료와 수술후 방사선치료를 시행해도 치료 성적이 나쁘므로 일차적으로 근치적 방사선치료를 시행해야한다.

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내과적 문제로 수술이 불가능한 조기 비소세포성 폐암에서의 방사선치료 (Radiotherapy in Medically Inoperable Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer)

  • 김보경;박찬일
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • 제18권4호
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    • pp.257-264
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    • 2000
  • 목적 : 조기 비소세포성 폐암의 경우 수술이 최선의 치료법으로 생각 되고있다. 환자가 내과적인 질환으로 수술이 불가능한 경우, 혹은 수술을 거부한 경우 방사선치료가 수술의 대체적 치료로 사용 가능하다. 근치적방사선치료를 시행 받은 환자에서의 치료성적 및 이에 영향을 미치는 요인의 분석을 통하여 향후 치료에 도움을 얻고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 서울대학교병원 치료방사선과에서 1987년 6월부터 1997년 6월 사이에 치료를 시행 받은 조직학적으로 진단된 조기 비소세포성 폐암 환자 32명을 대상으로 하였다. 수술이 불가능했던 이유로는 폐질환이 21명으로 가장 많았다. 대상환자의 중간 연령은 68세였으며, 조직학적으로는 편평상피암이 24명으로 가장 많았다. 임상 병기는 T1, T2, T3가 각각 5명, 25명, 2명이었으며, 진단시의 종양의 크기는 3$\~$5 cm가 13명으로 가장 많았다. 방사선치료는 6 MV또는 10 MV 선형가속기를 이용하여, 종양부위에 54.0$\~$68.8 Gy (중앙값; 61.2 Gy)를 조사하였고 12명의 환자에서는 동시분할조사를 시행하였다. 추적관찰기간은 2개월에서 93개월 (중앙값; 23개월)이었고, 생존기간은 치료개시일을 기준으로 산정하였다. 결과 : 전체생존률은 코년, 5년이 각각 44.6$\%$, 24.5$\%$이었으며, 무병생존률은 38.9$\%$, 28.3$\%$, 중앙생존기간은 23개월이었다. 전체환자 32명중 최종 추적관찰 시 25명이 사망하였으며, 이중 7명이 페암이외의 질환으로 사망하였다. 단변량분석 상 종양의 크기는 전체생존률과 무병생존률에 통계적으로 유의한 영향을 주는 요인으로 판정되었고 (p=0.0015, p=0.0022), T 병기는 전체생존률에 의미있는 요인으로 판정되었다(p=0.0395). 다변량분석 상 종양의 크기는 무병생존률에 통계적으로 의미있는 요인으로 판정되었으며(p=0.0317), 전체생존률에 영향을 주는 경향을 보였다 (p=0.0649). 종격동의 방사선조사 여부는 생존률에 영향을 주지 않았다. 결론 : 근치적방사선치료는 조기 비소세포성 폐암 환자로 내과적인 질환으로 수술 불가능한 경우나 환자가 수술을 거부한 경우, 특히 T1 또는 3 cm 이하의 종양에서는 수술적치료를 대치할 수 있는 치료법이다. 그러나 종양의 크기가 5 cm를 넘는 경우에는 방사선치료만으로는 장기생존자가 거의 없었으며, 따라서 이러한 환자의 치료에 있어 과분할조사나 기관지내 추가조사, 방사선감작제의 사용, 입체조형방사선치료, 강도변조방사선치료 등의 이용을 고려해야 할 것이다.

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말기암 환자와 가족의 의료 및 간호 서비스 요구 (The Study on the Medical and Nursing Service Needs of the Terminal Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers)

  • 이소우;이은옥;허대석;노국희;김현숙;김선례;김성자;김정희;이경옥
    • 대한간호학회지
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    • 제28권4호
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    • pp.958-969
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    • 1998
  • In this study, we attempted to investigate the needs and problems of the terminal cancer patients and their family caregivers to provide them with nursing information to improve their quality of life and prepare for a peaceful death. Data was collected from August 1, 1995 to July 31, 1996 at the internal medicine unit of S hospital in Seoul area with the two groups of participants who were family members of terminal cancer patients seventy four of them were in-patients and 34 were out-patients who were discharged from the same hospital for home care. The research tool used in this study has been developed by selecting the questionnaires from various references, modifying them for our purpose and refining them based on the results of preliminary study. While general background information about the patients was obtained by reviewing their medical records, all other information was collected by interviewing the primary family caregivers of the patients using the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed with the SPSS PC/sup +/ program. The results of this study are summarized as follows ; 1) Most frequently complained symptoms of the terminal cancer patients were in the order of pain(87%), weakness(86.1%), anorexia(83.3%) and fatigue (80.6%). 2) Main therapies for the terminal cancer patients were pain control (58.3%), hyperalimentation(47.2%) and antibiotics(21.3%). 3) Special medical devices that terminal cancer patients used most were oxygen device (11.1%), and feeding tube(5.6%). Other devices were used by less than 5% of the patients. 4) The mobility of 70.4% of the patients was worse than ECOG 3 level, they had to stay in bed more than 50% of a day. 5) Patients wanted their medical staffs to help relieve pain(45.4%), various physical symptoms(29.6%), and problems associated with their emotion(11.1%). 6) 16.7% of the family caregivers hoped for full recovery of the patients, refusing to admit the status of the patients. Also, 37% wished for the extension of the patient's life at least for 6 months. 7) Only 38.9% of the family members was preparing for the patient's funeral. 8) 45.4% of family caregivers prefer hospital as the place for the patient's death, 39.8% their own home, and 14.8% undetermined. 9) Caregivers of the patients were mostly close family members, i.e., spouse(62%), and sons and daughters or daughter-in-laws(21.3%). 10) 43.5% of the family caregivers were aware of hospice care. 46.8% of them learned about the hospice care from the mass media, 27.7% from health professionals, and the rest from books and other sources. 11) Caregivers were asked about the most difficult problems they encounter in home care, 41 of them pointed out the lack of health professionals they can contact, counsel and get help from in case of emergency, 17 identified the difficulty of finding appropriate transportation to hospital, and 13 stated the difficulty of admission in hospital as needed. 12) 93.6% of family caregivers demanded 24-hour hot line, 80% the visiting nurses and doctors, and 69.4% the volunteer's help. The above results indicate that terminal patients and their family caregivers demand help from qualified health professionals whenever necessary. Hospice care system led by well-trained medical and nursing staffs is one of the viable answers for such demands.

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