• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4965-4969
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• 2015

LCN2 (Lipocalin 2) is a 25 KD secreted acute phase protein, reported to be a novel regulator of angiogenesis in breast cancer. Up regulation of LCN2 had been observed in multiple cancers including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer. However, the role of LCN2 promoter methylation in the formation of microvessels is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of LCN 2 promoter methylation with microvessel formation and tumor cell proliferation in breast cancer patients. The LCN2 promoter methylation status was studied in 64 breast cancer tumors by methylation specific PCR (MSP). Evaluation of microvessel density (MVD) and Ki67 cell proliferation index was achieved by immunohistochemical staining using CD34 and MIB-1 antibodies, respectively. LCN2 promoter unmethylation status was observed in 43 (67.2%) of breast cancer patients whereas LCN2 methylation status was seen in 21 (32.8%). Further, LCN2 promoter unmethylation status was associated with aggressive tumor phenotype and elevated mean MVD in breast cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1715-1720
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• 2013

Background: The discovery that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate proliferation, invasion and metastasis provides a principal molecular basis of tumor heterogeneity. Microvessel distribution is an important characteristic of solid tumors, with significant hypoxia occurring in the center of tumors with low blood flow. The distribution of miR-374a in breast tumors was examined as a factor likely to be important in breast cancer progression. Methods: Breast tissue samples from 40 patients with breast cancer were classified into two groups: a highly invasive and metastatic group (HIMG) and a low-invasive and metastatic Group (LIMG). Samples were collected from the center and edge of each tumor. In each group, six specimens were examined by microRNA array, and the remaining 14 specimens were used for real-time RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Correlation analysis was performed for the miRNAs and target proteins. Follow-up was carried out during 28 months to 68 months after surgery, and survival data were analyzed. Results: In the LIMG, the relative content of miR-374a was lower in the center of the tumor than at its edge; in the HIMG, it was lower at the edge of the tumor, and miR-374a levels were lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. There was no difference between VEGF-A and VCAM-1 mRNA levels at the edge and center of the tumor; however, we observed a significant difference between VEGF-A and VCAM-1 protein expression levels in these two regions. There was a negative correlation between miR-374a and target protein levels. The microvessel density (MVD) was lower in the center of the tumor than at its edge in HIMG, but the LIMG vessels were uniformly distributed. There was a significant positive correlation between MVD and the number of lymph node metastases (Pearson correlation, r=0.912, P<0.01). The median follow-up time was 48.5 months. LIMG had higher rate of disease-free survival (100%, P=0.013) and longer median survival time (66 months) than HIMG, which had a lower rate of 75% and shorter median survival time (54 months). Conclusions: Our data demonstrated miR-374a to be differentially distributed in breast cancer; VEGF-A and VCAM-1 mRNA had coincident distribution, and the distribution of teh respective proteins was uneven and opposite to that for the miR-374a. These data might explain the differences in the distribution of MVD in breast cancer and variation in breast cancer prognosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.583-587
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate tumor microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using the Chalkley method as predictive markers for the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis and their relationship to other clinicopathological parameters in primary breast cancer cases. Forty two node-positive and eighty node-negative breast cancers were immunostained for CD34 and D2-40. MVD and LVD were counted by the Chalkley method at x400 magnification. There was a positive significant correlation of the MVD with the tumor size, coexisting ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lymph node metastases (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, the MVD (2.86-4: OR 5.87 95%CI 1.05-32; >4: OR 20.03 95%CI 3.47-115.55), lymphovascular invasion (OR 3.46, 95% CI 1.13-10.58), and associated DCIS (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.04-9.23) independently predicted axillary lymph node metastasis. There was no significant relationship between LVD and axillary lymph node metastasis. However, D2-40 was a good lymphatic vessel marker to enhance the detection of lymphatic invasion compared to H and E staining. In conclusion, MVD by the Chalkley method, lymphovascular invasion and associated DCIS can be additional predictive factors for axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer. No relationship was identified between LVD and clinicopathological variables, including axillary lymph node metastasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4929-4932
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• 2014

Objective: To compare the mammogarphic appearance between breast cancer patients aged <40 and ${\geq}40$ years. Methods: Needle localization and biopsy of suspicious mammographic lesions identified 1,959 breast carcinomas in a single institution from Jun 2012 to Apr 2013. According to the age, we divided patients into two groups: <40 and ${\geq}40$ years old, and analyzed mammographic appearance separately. Results: Young patients had 44.2% foci with calcification, but old patients only had 39.4% (P<0.001). In younger group, the ratios of cases according to mass density were 41.8% or higher, 58.2% equivalent and lower. In older group, the ratios were 55.5 % and 44.5%, respectively. There were statistical differences between high density and others (P<0.05). The ratios of cases according to mass margin were 13.9% circumscribed and microlobulated, 86.1% indistinct and spiculated in the younger group, as compared to 6.5% and 93.5%, respectively, in the older group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Mammographic findings differ between young and old patients with breast cancer, for example regarding mass density, mass margin and microcalcification ratios.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.51-58
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• 2021

Women are reported to have increased risk of metabolic syndrome after menopause. Nevertheless, there is a lack of study on the convergent association between breast-feeding, bone mineral density(BMD) and metabolic syndrome due to women's childbirth. In this study, the data of 939 elderly women using raw data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES V-1 and 2) in 2010 and 2011 were analyzed. The correlation between breast-feeding children, BMD and metabolic syndrome was analyzed by dividing them into three groups based on the number of breast-feeding children. As a result of the analysis, no specific association was found between risk factors of metabolic syndrome and BMD according to the increase in the number of breast-feeding children after adjustment for confounders. However, elderly women with a large number of breast-feeding children showed a significant association with more risk factors of metabolic syndrome. These findings can be used as a basic material for the prevention and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and health care in elderly women.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2010

National Cancer Screening Project and Korean Society of Breast Imaging recommend that breast cancer screening should be performed on those aged 40 and above. Nevertheless, this recommendation is usually ignored by a number of medical institutions. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the necessity of an age limitation in screening mammography. Ten institutions were randomly selected and telephone inquiries about patients' age limitation and internal guidelines were set up. The 3,214 women, who underwent screening mammography through 'GE Senography 2000D' in each hospital, were classified into five groups according to age(from 20s to 40s, at intervals of 5). And then, collected data was analyzed by a radiologist in accordance with ACR-BIRADS(American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System), through which breast parenchymal density and the results of analysis were categorized in order to predict the sensitivity of mammography. Information about craniocaudal-view mammograms was automatically produced by use of GE Senography 2000D, and the average glandular dose was retrospectively analyzed through the program 'Excel 2007.' Two institutions did not set the age limitation. Other seven institutions internally allowed those who wanted to receive mammography regardless of age. Approximately 99% of those aged 20 to 29 were judged as having the dense breast. In those aged 35 to 39, breast parenchymal density tended to be lower, but the fatty breast to increase. In the case of 'category-zero' that does not need additional tests, the rate of 'heterogeneously dense' and 'extremely dense' reached to 83.1% and 15.1% respectively. Regarding dense breasts, there was no sufficient information for image reading. The glandular dose, applied to 3,214, was 1.47mGy on the average. In those aged 20 to 24 who are sensitive to radiation, the average glandular dose indicated 1.59mGy. Those aged 35 and above showed the lowest value, 1.43mGy. In those aged 35 to 39, the breast tended to change from denseness to fattiness. The average glandular dose was lowest in those aged 35 and above, which suggests that screening mammography should be periodically performed on those aged 35 and above in order that breast cancer may be early detected. On the other hand, in those aged less than 35, it is difficult to analyze mammograms due to the high density of breast parenchyma, and also retakes become frequent. In particular, subjects may be exposed to excessive doses. Accordingly, it should be substituted by breast self-examination or clinical breast examination. In case of need, it is advisable to perform ultrasonography.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2019

In this study, we measure dose against various density and thickness using phantom to compare FFDM to DBT of Digital mammography equipment and evaluate usefulness of DBT through compare the image quality of FFDM and DBT. We use mammography equipment, Selenia Dimensions ; this is able to examine breast by both FFDM and DBT, The results are that when the thickness of phantom is 6cm or more and density is 70% or more and the thickness of phantom is 7cm or more and density is 50% or more, AGD of DBT is lower than that of FFDM. The evaluation results of image quality are that in the tumor and small calcification group that composed by mammary tissue and fat, FFDM is great and in fibrin, DBT is great. But in the all thicknesses of BR3D phantom that reflected overlapped tissue of breasts, DBT is great in calcification group, fibrin and tumor. DBT is greater image quality and lower dose more than FFDM in Thick and high density breast, Therefore, DBT is more useful in Korean women's breast that is characterized dense breast than FFDM.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.587-595
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• 2019

This study analyzed the influence of the environmental factor of each vegetation type in an urban, mountainous park (Tangeumdae Park in Chungju) on air ion. The measuring points were divided according to the tree species, diameter at breast height, crown density, and layered structure, and the meteorological factors and the air ion were measured. The results of the measurement showed the average generation of positive ions of $610.90{\pm}50.27ea/cm^3$, the average generation of negative ions of $723.58{\pm}64.25ea/cm^3$, and the air ion index of $1.19{\pm}0.10$. The results of the analysis, according to the vegetation type, are as follows. Firstly, the air ion varied according to the species, the chest diameter at breast height, and the layered structure, and was analyzed to be statistically significant. Secondly, the air ion and the vegetation type showed a positive correlation with the species, diameter at breast height, crown density, and layered structure. The cation showed a negative correlation with the species, diameter at breast height, and the crown density, and the anion showed a positive correlation with the species, the diameter at breast height, crown density, and layered structure. Thirdly, the ion index in ridges had a higher correlation with the vegetation type than the meteorological factors. In detail, the correlation was higher in the species > layered structure > crown density > diameter at breast height. This study had the limitation of evaluating air ions in the ridge. Therefore, future studies on air ion should consider both terrain structure and vegetation type and analyze the seasonal changes and comparison.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4989-4992
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• 2012

Purpose: Guide-wire localization (GWL) has been a standard technique for many years. Excision of nonpalpable malignant breast lesions with clear surgical margins reduces the risk of undergoing re-excision. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of GWL biopsy for assessing surgical margins. Methods: This retrospective study concerned 53 patients who underwent GWL biopsy for non-palpable breast lesions and breast carcinoma diagnosed by histological examination. Age of the patients, tumour size, radiographic findings, breast density specifications, specimen volumes, menopausal status and family history of the patients and surgical margin status were recorded. Results: Median age was 53.3 years, median tumour size was 1.5 cm and median specimen volume was $71.5cm^3$. In fifteen patients (28%) DCIS and in 38 patients (72%) invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed. There was positive surgical margins in twenty eight (52.8%) patients. The median distance to the nearest surgical margin was 7.2 mm in clear surgical margins. Younger age and denser breast specifications were found as statistically significant factors for surgical margin status. Median age of the patients who had positive margins was 49.4 years where it was 56.9 years in the patients with negative margins (p=0.04). 79% of the patients with positive margins had type 3-4 pattern breast density according to BIRADS classification as compared to 48% in the patients who had negative margins (p=0.03). Some 38 patients who had positive or close surgical margins received re-excision (72%). Conclusion: Positive margin rates may be higher because of inherent biological differences and diffuse growth patterns in younger patients. There are also technical difficulties that are relevant to denser fibroglandular tissue in placing hooked wire. High re-excision rates must be taken into consideration while performing GWL biopsy in non-palpable breast lesions.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.533-541
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• 2019

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly utilized, especially in screening for high-risk cases, because of its high sensitivity and superior ability to detect cancers as compared with mammography and ultrasound. Several limitations such as higher cost, longer examination time, longer interpretation time, and low availability have hindered the wider application of MRI, especially for screening of average-risk women. To overcome some of these limitations and increase access to MRI screening, an abbreviated breast MRI protocol has been introduced. Abbreviated breast MRI is becoming popular and challenges the status quo. This review aims to present an overview of abbreviated MRI, discuss the current findings, and introduce ongoing prospective trials.