• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.72-81
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• 1992

Thyroid cancer, the most common cancer of endocrine neoplasms, has tremendous variation in tumor biologic behavior. There is no consensus about treatment mode to prevent recurrences despite of recent advance in understanding characteristics of thyroid cancer. So, we have made a clinical analysis and follow-up study of recurred 27 cases among 189 cases treated under the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma in the department of surgery, Chonnam University Hospital from February, 1982 to February, 1992 to clarify our experience about the characteristics of recurred thyroid cancer. The results were as follow: According to the pathological classification of recurred thyroid cancer, recurrence rate was 11.6% in papillary carcinoma, 15.6% in follicular carcinoma, 37.5% in medullary carcinoma, 66.7% in undifferentiated carcinoma, respectively, and the mean recurrence rate of thyroid cancer was 14.3%. The recurrence rate according to age was 28.6% in 8th decade and 17.9% in 4th decade. The recurrence rate according to sex was not singificant(15.6% in male: 14% in female). The mean period to relapse was 4 years 6 months in papillary carcinoma, 2 years 5 months in follicular carcinoma, 2 years 1 months in medullary carcinoma, 2 years 6 months in undifferentiated carcinoma. The recurrence rate according to previous operating methods, such as performing lymph node dissection or not, mode of thyridectomy, type of lymph node dissection was statisfically non-specific. Common recurrent sites of papillary and follicular carcinoma was cervical lymph node and remained thyroid tissue. Medullary and undifferentiated carcinoma was noted in multiregional or systemic involvement Reoperation was performed with complete resection of recurred or metastatic mass, such as radical neck dissection or mass extirpation from involved organs as possible. The postoperative complications were 2 cases of horseness, and 1 case with hematoma, transient hypocalcemia, wound infection, and pulmonary insufficency, respectively. 5-year survival rate was 85.5% in papillary carcinoma, 66.7% in follicular carcinoma. 50% in medullary carcinoma, and 50% in undifferentiated carcinoma. We concluded that recurrence in thyroid cancer give a reconsideration to previous conservative therapy and more extensive surgical procedures for thyroid cancer including lymphatic dissection are recommanded to prevent recurrences in selected cases if possible.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.126-128
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• 2013

Pyogenic liver abscess in patients with malignant disease is a fatal state and is easily diagnosed. We presented a rare case of sudden fatal septicemia following anticancer treatment for recurred gastric cancer due to multiple liver abscesses which could not be diagnosed. A 72-year-old male with recurred gastric cancer received anticancer agents. He had a history of distal gastrectomy with right hepatic lobectomy for hepatic metastasis. He received anticancer treatment in the outpatient's service center periodically, and his performance status was preserved with nothing in particular. After administrating docetaxel, he suddenly developed septicemia and multiple organ failure and died 5 days after strong medical supports. Pathological autopsy revealed that multiple minute abscesses of the liver which could not be detected macroscopically were the causes of fatal septicemia. The etiology, therapies and prognosis of rare entity are being discussed.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.11-15
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• 2015

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the features of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) recurred as distant metastases (DM). Materials and Method: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed clinical records of 63 patients who were treated for PTC recurred as DM between 2000 and 2006. Univariate and multivariate analyses of various clinical factors were performed. Results: Male patients were 12, and female patients were 51. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for PTC recurred as DM were 85% and 73%, respectively. Size of tumor, multiplicity of tumor, lateral neck node metastasis, and RAI ablation therapy with other treatments such as surgery were associated with survival rate (p < 0.005) in univariate analysis. The lateral neck node metastasis[p =0.039, hazard ratio=2.2(95% CI. 1.18~3.24)] and multiple organ DM[p =0.041, hazard ratio=2.18(95% CI. 1.03~2.89)] were related to the survival in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: PTC recurred as DM is uncommon (2.2%). The size of tumor, the multiplicity of tumor, lateral neck node metastasis and RAI ablation therapy with other treatments for DM were revealed as associated factors for the survival. Evaluation of DM should be considered in patients with PTC during long-term follow-up.

• International journal of thyroidology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.88-91
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• 2018

After introducing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as promising treatments for radioactive iodine refractory advanced thyroid cancer patients, we more often meet patients with TKI-related hormone and electrolyte imbalances in clinics. Hypocalcemia associated with TKI is associated with an imbalance in calcium-vitamin D metabolism. TKI-related hypothyroidism is related to the metabolic rate of thyroid hormones. The two side effects usually occur in the early stages of TKI treatment, and if the imbalance is corrected appropriately, the effects are minor, but in severe cases, the TKI should be discontinued. The authors reported a case of severe hypocalcemia and thyroid dysfunction after TKI treatment. A 56-year-old man suffered from symptomatic hypocalcemia during TKI treatment, which was resolved after he stopped taking the TKI medication. Although calcium and vitamin D replacement have increased, hypocalcemia was recurred and TKI treatments have been permanently stopped due to serious weight loss in grade 3. After the interruption, his calcium levels normalized.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.707-711
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with a background of benign disease. Method: A total of 709 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing surgical resection were analyzed retrospectively. In 147 patients who underwent surgery for benign thyroid disease, incidental PTC (IPC group) were identified by intraoperative or postoperative pathological examination of surgical specimens but were not detected by preoperative imaging studies. In the other group, according to the pathological examination with or without co-existing benign thyroid disease, 253 cases were clarified as concomitant PTC and 309 cases were clarified as dominant PTC. Results: Incidental PTC was more common in women, about 85.7%, the mean age was $47.6{\pm}11.3$ years old. Average tumor diameter was $4.4{\pm}2.2$ mm, multiple lesions accounted for 12.9% (19/147), and the cervical lymph node metastasis rate was 6.1% (9/147). After radical resection 8 cases recurred, the median time of recurrence was about 12 months (0.5 to 162), there was no tumor-related death. The tumor-free survival rates were 97.3%, 95.9%, 91.5%, and 79.3% in 1, 5, 10 and 14 year respectively. Conclusion: Incidental PTC with a background of benign lesions is common, and the generally good prognosis can be attributed to tumor early detection and early treatment. On the intraoperative finding of incidental PTC, lobectomy (unilateral) or total thyroidectomy (bilateral) should be the first choice, but with a postoperative pathologic finding of incidental PTC, further treatment, such as completion thyroidectomy or immediate lymph dissection is not necessary. Central lymph node dissection is also not needed unless lymphadenectasis is present.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.411-420
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT with neck ultrasonography (neck US) in patients with recurrent, papillary thyroid cancer. Material and methods: This retrospective study (December 2006 to April 2008) enrolled sixty-one patients (ninety-one lesions) who underwent high-dose $^{131}I$-ablation therapy after total thyroidectomy, and evaluated recurred papillary thyroid cancer. All lesions were confirmed by histopathology and compared histopathologic findings to PET, PET/CT, and neck US findings. Results: In sixty-one patients (57 women, 4 men; age range, 24-81 years, mean 49 years; 61 papillary carcinomas), the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT was 87.2%, 64.0%, 78.1% on a patient basis and 92.3%, 66.7%, 80.9% on a lesion basis, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of $^{18}F$-FDG PET was 71.8% (p=0.03), 59.0% (p=1.00), 67.2% (p=0.03) on a patient basis and 78.8% (p<0.01), 64.1% (p=1.00), 72.5% (p=0.02) on a lesion basis, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of neck US was 71.1% (p=0.07), 52.2% (p=0.75), 63.9% (p=0.05) on a patient basis and 71.2% (p<0.01), 61.5% (p=1.00), 67.0% (p=0.06) on a lesion basis, respectively. Combined $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT with neck US improved the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy to 94.7% (p=0.50), 82.6% (p=0.13), 90.2% (p=0.03) on a patient basis and 96.2% (p=0.50), 89.7% (p<0.01), 93.4% (p<0.01) on a lesion basis, respectively. Conclusion: $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity than neck US for the detection of recurred papillary thyroid cancer lesions. Furthermore, combined $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT with neck US showed more improved sensitivity, specificity, accuracy for diagnosis of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 1995

$^{131}I$-metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG) has been used for the diagnosis and treatment of neural crest tumors. We report our experience with this agent in 8 patients[1 multiple endocrine neoplasia(MEN) type IIb; 2 malignant pheochromocytoma; 5 medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC)]. The therapeutic procedure consisted of 30-200 mCi of $^{131}I-MIBG$ administered by slow I.V. infusion, given at 3-6 months intervals. Commutative activity ranged from 150 mCi to 410 mCi, in 1 to 4 courses. $^{131}I-MIBG$ therapy resulted in significant disease free interval in 1 malignant pheochromocytoma(no measurable lesion) after surgery; complete hormonal and tumoral response in 2 MTC(1 MEN IIb): stable disease in 1 recurred pheochromocytoma(MEN IIb): stable disease but symptomatic improvement in 1 MTC, progressive disease in 1 malignant pheochromocytoma and 2 MTC. The patients who showed progression appeared to have large inoperable tumors or postoperative remnant tumors.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : Serum stimulated thyroglobulin(stim Tg) was well-known for useful marker in detecting of recurrent or persistent papillary thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy. Serum stim Tg level may be possibly related with recurrent tumor volume, but rarely studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between preoperative serum stim Tg level and recurrent tumor burden and to find additional clinical usefulness of stim Tg more than to detect a recurrence. Material and Methods : From January 2000 to December 2009, 40 patients who were operated due to neck recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy were enrolled. All patients had preoperative stim Tg. We compared the clinical correlation of stim Tg and other variables to influence the preoperative stim Tg levels. Results : Preoperative stim Tg levels weren't correlated with site of recurrence, number of metastasis, maximal size, and presence of extra-capsular spread. But considerable increase of stim Tg more than 50ng/mL was identified in recurrence of lateral neck. Patients who have higher stim Tg level after surgery tend to be have higher preoperative stim Tg level. Conclusion : stim Tg was not elevated in 7.5% of recurrent PTC patients. Thus, other diagnostic modalities such as US may be important for these patients. If preoperative stim Tg was more than 50ng/mL, it may suggest recurrence in lateral neck and have less possibility to achieve postoperative biochemical remission.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2011

Paraganglioma is a relatively rare, generally benign and slow growing tumor arising from widely distributed paraganglionic tissue thought to originate from the neural crest. In the head and neck region, paraganglionic tissue is distributed in the superior and inferior paraganglia such as the carotid body, the vagal body, and the jugulotympanic region. Approximately 10% of patients with paraganglioma have a family history of such tumors. Multiple lesions can be found in 26% of patients with family history. It is important to distinguish between paraganglioma and atypical carcinoid tumor and medullary thyroid cancer. This can be done with histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical markers. Complete excision is recommended for the treatment of this tumor. Paraganglioma is particularly aggressive and rapid recurrence of paraganglioma is common after local resection. We present a case of malignant paraganglioma in the neck which recurred 2 months after local resection. We suppose that radiation therpay could be the last option for the treatment in this clinical setting.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.516-523
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of I-123 MIBG scintigraphy with early planar and SPECT image in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors. We reviewed I-123 MIBG scintigraphies of 21 patients who had been suspected to have neuroendocrine tumors by CT or MRI findings. Early 4 hour planar and SPECT images were obtained in all patients and delayed (13-24 hour) planar images were performed in 17 patients. Final diagnoses were made by surgery, biopsy, or clinical follow up. Twelve patients were confirmed to have neuroendocrine tumors. With 4 hour planar and SPECT images, there were 9 true positives(6 pheochromocytomas, 1 paraganglioma, 1 neuroblastoma, and 1 medullary cancer of the thyroid), 8 true negatives(1 adrenal cortical adenoma, 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 1 adenoma in colon and 5 benign nonfunctioning adrenal tumors), 1 false positive(hepatocellular carcinoma) and 3 false negatives(1 recurred medullary cancer of the thyroid, 1 liver metastasis of carcinoid tumor and 1 ganglioneuroma). The sensitivity and specificity of I-123 MIBG scintigraphy were 75% and 89%, respectively. SPECT images provided good anatomical correlation with CT or MRI. Delayed images showed increased tumor to background ratio in 5 out of 8 true positive patients, but did not change the diagnosis. In conclusion, early 4 hour images with I-123 MIBG is clinically convenient and useful method in the detection of neuroendocrine tumors, and SPECT images can provide good anatomical correlation with CT or MRI.