• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권9호
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• pp.903-911
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• 2023

Objective: Regrowth after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of symptomatic large thyroid nodules, initially treated as benign, sometimes turns out to be malignancies. This study aimed to assess the ultrasound (US) characteristics of thyroid nodules initially treated as benign with RFA and later diagnosed as cancers, predictive factors for cancers masquerading as benign, and methods to avoid RFA in these cancers. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 134 consecutive patients with 148 nodules who underwent RFA between February 2008 and November 2016 for the debulking of symptomatic thyroid nodules diagnosed as benign using US-guided biopsy. We investigated the pre-RFA characteristics of the thyroid nodules, changes at follow-up after RFA, and the final surgical pathology. Results: Nodule regrowth after RFA was observed in 36 (24.3%) of the 148 benign nodules. Twenty-two of the 36 nodules were surgically removed, and malignancies were confirmed in seven (19.4% of 36). Of the 22 nodules removed surgically, pre-RFA median volume (range) was significantly larger for malignant nodules than for benign nodules: 22.4 (13.9-84.5) vs. 13.4 (7.3-16.8) mL (P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the regrowth interval between benign and malignant nodules (P = 0.49). The median volume reduction rate (range) at 12 months was significantly lower for malignant nodules than for benign nodules (51.4% [0-57.8] vs. 83.8% [47.9-89.6]) (P = 0.01). The pre-RFA benignity of all seven malignant nodules was confirmed using two US-guided fine-needle aspirations (FNAs), except for one nodule, which was confirmed using US-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB). Regrown malignant nodules were diagnosed as suspicious follicular neoplasms by CNB. Histological examination of the malignant nodules revealed follicular thyroid carcinomas, except for one follicular variant, a papillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion: Symptomatic large benign thyroid nodules showing regrowth or suboptimal reduction after RFA may have malignant potential. The confirmation of these nodules is better with CNB than with FNA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6469-6475
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• 2015

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) makes it possible to detect malignant tumors based on the diffusion of water molecules. It is uncertain whether DWI is more useful than positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. Materials and Methods: Sixteen malignant mediastinal tumors (thymomas 7, thymic cancers 3, malignant lymphomas 3, malignant germ cell tumors 2, and thymic carcinoid 1) and 12 benign mediastinal tumors or mass lesions were assessed in this study. DWI and PET-CT were performed before biopsy or surgery. Results: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value ($1.51{\pm}0.46{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/sec$) of malignant mediastinal tumors was significantly lower than that ($2.96{\pm}0.86{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/sec$) of benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions (P<0.0001). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ($11.30{\pm}11.22$) of malignant mediastinal tumors was significantly higher than that ($2.53{\pm}3.92$) of benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions (P=0.0159). Using the optimal cutoff value (OCV) $2.21{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/sec$ for ADC and 2.93 for SUVmax, the sensitivity (100%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (93.8%) by PET-CT for malignant mediastinal tumors. The specificity (83.3%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (66.7%) for benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. The accuracy (92.9%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (82.1%) by PET-CT for mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. Conclusions: There was no significant difference between diagnostic capability of DWI and that of PET-CT for distinguishing mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. DWI is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal tumors and mass lesions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.4377-4380
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• 2016

Background: To compare diagnostic performance in differentiating benign from malignant ovarian masses between IOTA (the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis) simple rules and subjective sonographic assessment. Materials and Methods: Women scheduled for elective surgery because of ovarian masses were recruited into the study and underwent ultrasound examination within 24 hours of surgery to apply the IOTA simple rules by general gynecologists and to record video clips for subjective assessment by an experienced sonographer. The diagnostic performance of the IOTA rules and subjective assessment for differentiation between benign and malignant masses was compared. The gold standard diagnosis was pathological or operative findings. Results: A total of 150 ovarian masses were covered, comprising 105 (70%) benign and 45 (30%) malignant. Of them, the IOTA simple rules could be applied in 119 (79.3%) and were inconclusive in 31 (20.7%) whereas subjective assessment could be applied in all cases (100%). The sensitivity and the specificity of the IOTA simple rules and subjective assessment were not significantly different, 82.9% vs 86.7% and 94.0% vs 94.3% respectively. The agreement of the two methods in prediction was high with a Kappa index of 0.835. Conclusions: Both techniques had a high diagnostic performance in differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses but the IOTA rules had a relatively high rate of inconclusive results. The IOTA rules can be used as an effective screening technique by general gynecologists but when the results are inconclusive they should consult experienced sonographers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.3005-3010
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• 2013

Background: To present the overall clinical and histological perspective of benign and malignant prostatic disease as seen in our practice in the Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: All consecutive prostate specimens (transurethral resection or TUR, enucleation, needle biopsies) received between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 were included in the study. Results: Of the total of 785 cases, 621 (79.1%) were TUR specimens, 80 (10.2%) enucleation specimens, and 84 (10.7%) needle biopsies. Some 595 (75.8%) were benign, while 190 (24.2%) were malignant. Mean weight of BPH specimens was 19 grams and 43 grams for TUR and enucleation specimens respectively. Almost 67% of adenocarcinomas were detected on TUR or enucleation specimens. Of the above cases, 41.7% were clinically benign while 58.3% were clinically malignant. The average volume of carcinoma in all cases ranged between 60 to 65%. The average number of cores involved in needle biopsies was 5. In general, higher Gleason scores were seen in TUR/enucleation specimens than in needle biopsies. Overall, in all types of specimens, commonest Gleason score was 7, seen in 74 (38.9%) cases, followed by Gleason score 9 seen in 47 (24.7%) cases. Out of the 63 needle biopsies with carcinoma, radical prostatectomy was performed in 16 cases (25.4%). Conclusions: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is extremely common and constitutes the bulk of prostate specimens. TMajority of prostatic carcinomas are still diagnosed on TUR or enucleation specimens. These included both clinically benign and clinically malignant cases. The volume of carcinoma in these specimens was quite high indicating extensive disease. Gleason scores were also generally high compared with scores from needle biopsies. Commonest Gleason score in all type of specimens was 7. Pathologic staging was possible in very few cases since radical prostatectomies are rarely performed.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.16-24
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• 1993

During 7 years, from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1992, authors studied 208 cases of the surgically managed thyroid nodules at the Department of General Surgery, Han Kang Sacred Heart Hospital and obtained the following results. 1) Among the total 208 cases, male to female ratio was 1:11.2 in benign thyroid diseases and 1:9 in malignant thyroid diseases. The benign disease was prevalent between second and forth decade comparing with malignant disease between third and fifth decade. 2) The most common duration of illness was 3 months(26.0%). 3) Palpable neck mass was the most common chief complaint(100%). Palpitation. fatigue, and sweating were common complaints in patient with benign disease, and fatigue, palpitation, and sweating in malignant disease in decreasing order of frequency. 4) 55.8 % of lesions were in right lobe, 33.2% in left lobe, 5.8% in diffuse type, 4.8% in bilateral lobes, and 0.5% in isthmus. 5) The most common size of nodule was between 2.0cm and 3.9cm in diameter, which consisted of 55.1% of benign disease and 48.0% of malignant disease. 6) 86.5% of thyroid function test showed euthyroidism, 10.1% hyperthyroidism, and 3.4% hypothyroidism. 7) Thyroid scanning of 176 patients revealed cold nodules in 92.5% of benign diseases and in 92.9% of malignant diseases. 8) The most common benign disease was adenomatous hyperplasia(62.7%), and the most common malignant disease was papillary adenocarcinoma(80.0%). 9) Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed in 91 cases, and it showed 69.0% of sensitivity, 90.3% of specificity, and 83.5% of accuracy. 10) Frozen biopsy was performed in 109 cases. and it showed 93.9% of sensitivity, 100.0% of specificity, and 98.2% of accuracy. 11) The most commonly performed operation was unilateral lobectomy(including unilateral lobectomy with isthmectomy)(79.1%) in benign disease. and total thyroidectomy(62.0%) in malignant disease. 12) Postoperative complication showed 5 cases of wound infection (2.4%), 3 cases of transient hypoparathyroidism(1.4%), 3 cases of transient hoarseness(1.4%), 2 cases of postoperative bleeding(1.0%), 1 case of permanent hypoparathyroidism(0.5%), 1 case of permanent hoarseness(0.5%), and 1 case of postoperative pneumonia (0.5%).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권12호
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• pp.5085-5088
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the role of the presence of a choline peak in 3 Tesla 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 adnexal masses (23 malignant and 23 benign) underwent 1H MRS study prior to surgery to assess the presence of choline peak. Results: A choline peak was detected in 16 malignant masses (69.5%) and was absent in the other 7 (30.5%). A choline peak was only detected in 6 (26%) of the benign adnexal masses. The presence of an MRS choline peak had a sensitivity of 69.5%, a specificity of 74%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 72.7%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 71% for diagnosing malignant adnexal masses. A significant difference between the frequency of mean choline peaks in benign and malignant adnexal masses was observed (P value < 0.01). Conclusions: A 1H MRS choline peak is seen in malignant adnexal masses more frequently than the benign masses, and may be helpful for diagnosing malignant adnexal masses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3295-3300
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• 2016

Background: Different types of cancer exhibit abnormalities in cell cycle regulators. The murine double minute-2(MDM2) cell cycle regulator is a proto-oncogene that negatively regulates the P53 tumour suppressor gene. Surface epithelial tumours constitute approximately two thirds of ovarian neoplasms. Each histologic type can be classified as benign, borderline and malignant. This study aimed to examine immunohistochemical expression of the MDM2 protein in ovarian serous and mucinous epithelial tumours (benign, borderline and malignant). Materials and Methods: This study included forty five ovarian tumours, subdivided into fifteen cystadenomas (5 serous and 10 mucinous), fifteen borderline tumours (11 serous and 4 mucinous) and fifteen cystadenocarcinomas (9 serous and 6 mucinous). Paraffin sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic study, and with mouse monoclonal anti-MDM2 antibody for immunohistochemistry. Results: MDM2 positivity was detected in 28.9% of the studied ovarian tumours. All benign tumours were negative and positivity was significantly higher in malignant than borderline tumours (P value of chi-square test =0.000). Significantly, all MDM2 positive mucinous tumours were malignant with no positive mucinous borderline tumours. Malignant tumours showed positive MDM2 expression in 83.3% of mucinous type and in 55.6% of serous type. Borderline serous tumours showed negative MDM2 in 72.7% of cases (P value of Z test =0.04). Conclusions: Alterations in the expression of the cell cycle regulator (MDM2) occur early in the process of tumourigenesis in serous and mucinous ovarian tumours. We suggest that MDM2 may be used in those tumours as a marker for risk stratification and identification of cases with cancer development and progression. We recommend further studies on MDM2 immunohistochemistry, in conjunction with adjuvant methods as DNA ploidy and FISH gene amplification, focusing on the mucinous tumours and differentiating between the three tumour categories, benign, borderline and malignant.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.553-560
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• 2007

목적: F-18 FDG PET은 근골격계 종양에서 양성과 악성병변을 감별하는 유용성에 대하여 다양한 결과가 보고되고 있다. 저자들은 F-18 FDG를 이용한 PET/CT로 근골격계 종양의 maxSUV를 분석하고 비교하여 유용성을 알아보았다. 대상 및 방법: 치료 전 46개 병소(연부 조직 종양 양성/악성 : 11/12, 골종양 양성/악성 9/14)에 대하여 F-18 FDG PET/CT를 시행하였으며, 조직학적 검사로 확진하였다. 악성과 양성을 구분하는 maxSUV 절단값은 연부 조직 종양에서는 4.1, 골종양에서는 3.05로 하였다. 결과: 연부 조직 종양에서 양성(R=11; maxSUV $3.4{\pm}3.2$)과 악성(n=12; maxSUV $14.8{\pm}12.2$) 간에 maxSUV는 통계학적으로 유의하게 (p<0.001) 차이가 있었다. 민감도와 특이도는 각각 83%, 91%였다. 그러나 골종양에서는 양성 종양(n=9; maxSUV $5.4{\pm}4.0$)과 악성 골종양(n=14; maxSUV $7.3{\pm}3.2$) 간에 통계학적으로 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 연부 조직 종양에서는 결절성 근막염이 위양성으로 나타났고(maxSUV=12.4) 골종양에서는 섬유성 골이형성증과 랑게르한스세포 조직구증식증 2예 및 골모세포종이 있었다. 결론: 연부 조직 종양에서 maxSUV는 양성과 악성을 감별하는데 유용하였다. 그러나 골종양의 경우에는 maxSUV가 낮은 경우에는 악성을 배제할 수 있었으나, maxSUV가 높은 경우에는 조직학적으로 조직구나 섬유모세포 등이 포함된 종양의 감별진단을 고려하여야한다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.759-772
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate the value of ultrasound (US) microflow assessment in distinguishing malignant from benign solid breast masses as well as the association between US parameters and histologic microvessel density (MVD). Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight breast masses (57 benign and 41 malignant) were examined using Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI) and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) before biopsy. Two radiologists evaluated the quantitative and qualitative vascular parameters on SMI (vascular index, morphology, distribution, and penetration) and CEUS (time-intensity curve analysis and enhancement characteristics). US parameters were compared between benign and malignant masses and the diagnostic performance was compared between SMI and CEUS. Subgroup analysis was performed according to lesion size. The effect of vascular parameters on downgrading Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4A masses was evaluated. The association between histologic MVD and US parameters was analyzed. Results: Malignant masses were associated with a higher vascular index (15.1 ± 7.3 vs. 5.9 ± 5.6), complex vessel morphology (82.9% vs. 42.1%), central vascularity (95.1% vs. 59.6%), penetrating vessels (80.5% vs. 31.6%) on SMI (all, p < 0.001), as well as higher peak intensity (37.1 ± 25.7 vs. 17.0 ± 15.8, p < 0.001), slope (10.6 ± 11.2 vs. 3.9 ± 4.2, p = 0.001), area (1035.7 ± 726.9 vs. 458.2 ± 410.2, p < 0.001), hyperenhancement (95.1% vs. 70.2%, p = 0.005), centripetal enhancement (70.7% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.023), penetrating vessels (65.9% vs. 22.8%, p < 0.001), and perfusion defects (31.7% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001) on CEUS (p ≤ 0.023). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of SMI and CEUS were 0.853 and 0.841, respectively (p = 0.803). In 19 masses measuring < 10 mm, central vascularity on SMI was associated with malignancy (100% vs. 38.5%, p = 0.018). Considering all benign SMI parameters on the BI-RADS assessment, unnecessary biopsies could be avoided in 12 category 4A masses with improved AUCs (0.500 vs. 0.605, p < 0.001). US vascular parameters associated with malignancy showed higher MVD (p ≤ 0.016). MVD was higher in malignant masses than in benign masses, and malignant masses negative for estrogen receptor or positive for Ki67 had higher MVD (p < 0.05). Conclusion: US microflow assessment using SMI and CEUS is valuable in distinguishing malignant from benign solid breast masses, and US vascular parameters are associated with histologic MVD.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.118-128
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• 2021

Purpose: To investigate the value of MR textural analysis, including use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to differentiate malignant from benign soft-tissue tumors on 3T MRI. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 69 patients (25 men, 44 women, ages 18 to 84 years) with pathologically confirmed soft-tissue tumors (29 benign, 40 malignant) who underwent pre-treatment 3T-MRI. We calculated MR texture, including mean, standard deviation (SD), skewness, kurtosis, mean of positive pixels (MPP), and entropy, according to different spatial-scale factors (SSF, 0, 2, 4, 6) on axial T1- and T2-weighted images (T1WI, T2WI), contrast-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI), high b-value DWI (800 sec/mm²), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. We used the Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for statistical analysis. Results: Malignant soft-tissue tumors had significantly lower mean values of DWI, ADC, T2WI and CE-T1WI, MPP of ADC, and CE-T1WI, but significantly higher kurtosis of DWI, T1WI, and CE-T1WI, and entropy of DWI, ADC, and T2WI than did benign tumors (P < 0.050). In multivariate logistic regression, the mean ADC value (SSF, 6) and kurtosis of CE-T1WI (SSF, 4) were independently associated with malignancy (P ≤ 0.009). A multivariate model of MR features worked well for diagnosis of malignant soft-tissue tumors (AUC, 0.909). Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis could be obtained using MR textural analysis with DWI and CE-T1WI in differentiating benign from malignant soft-tissue tumors.