• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.451-457
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• 2011

Progress : A 33 year old female patient diagnosed with left breast cancer stage II was admitted to EWCC (East-West Cancer Center) in November of 2009. She had planned chemotherapy. She was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and physiotherapy for a period of 4 months, from Nov 5th, 2009 to Feb 18th 2010. We evaluated the grade of chief complaints and performed blood tests periodically. Results : TKM alleviates symptoms induced by anticancer chemotherapy. Nausea, headache, dizziness and chemotherapyinduced peripheral neuropathy were reduced. Quality of life was also upward. Conclusions : This case study supports TKM's potential efficacy in treating breast cancer patients suffering from anticancer chemotherapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.723-731
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are responsible for 20% of all cancer-related deaths. In Turkey, stomach cancers account for 8.9%, colon cancer for 6.9%, and pancreatic cancer for 5.9%. This study examined the anxiety-depression levels and the quality of life of patients with GI cancer. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 335 adult patients who had gastrointestinal cancer and who were hospitalized in medical oncology clinics. Data were collected by using hospital anxiety and depression scale, EORTC QLQ C-30 and a patient information form. Results: Patients who were male and secondary school graduates/graduates/postgraduates experienced more functional difficulties. Patients with poor economic status experienced more symptoms. Patient general wellbeing decreased with increase disease duration. The level of functional difficulties decreased with an increasing number of hospital stays. Anxiety scores increased with decreasing age. Both anxiety and depression scores increased with increasing disease duration. Patients who were female, single/widowed/divorced, and literate/elementary school graduates had higher anxiety and depression scores. Life quality decreased with increasing anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Patients should be supported to prevent anxiety and depression, and should be followed up with this in mind.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.1081-1083
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• 2014

Malignancy-associated mortality, decreased productivity, and spiritual, social and physical burden in cancer patients and their families impose heavy costs on communities. Therefore cancer prevention, early detection, rapid diagnosis and timely treatment are very important. Use of modern methods based on information technology in cancer can improve patient survival and increase patient and health care provider satisfaction. Robot technology is used in different areas of health care and applications in surgery have emerged affecting the cancer treatment domain. Computerized and robotic devices can offer enhanced dexterity by tremor abolition, motion scaling, high quality 3D vision for surgeons and decreased blood loss, significant reduction in narcotic use, and reduced hospital stay for patients. However, there are many challenges like lack of surgical community support, large size, high costs and absence of tactile and haptic feedback. A comprehensive view to identify all factors in different aspects such as technical, legal and ethical items that prevent robotic surgery adoption is thus very necessary. Also evidence must be presented to surgeons to achieve appropriate support from physicians. The aim of this review article is to survey applications, opportunities and barriers to this advanced technology in patients and surgeons as an approach to improve cancer care.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.58-64
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• 2003

Cancer is a life crisis which inflicts major psychological and physical trauma upon the victim. Most of the cancer patients suffer from major depression, profound frustration, and impaired social adjustment. Therefore suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt are also becoming a serious threat to cancer patients and their families. Hospice is patient-centered, and accepts the inevitability of 'death' while simultaneously being life-affirming. Even though there is no chance of physical cure, there is much scope for psychosocial and spiritual healing. Most of cancer patients who commit suicide suffer hem many mental problems. Hospice specialists must play an important role in evaluating and managing emotional or behavioral problems associated with suicidal ideatior and are also are expected to serve as informed commentators regarding suicide. It is crucial that hospice specialists define their role and develop clinical skills to intervene in suicidal event effectively. A systematic approach to suicidal cancer patients is a essential, and there is need for specific training for all hospice professionals. In this case report, the author introduced knowledge and clinical guidelines for a desirable approach to suicidal cancer patient.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.221-235
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• 2021

Purpose: The Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer, every 5 years, since 1995. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2019. Materials and Methods: This survey was conducted from March to December 2020 using a standardized case report form, which was sent to every member of the KGCA via e-mail. We collected data on 54 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. We compared the results of the 2019 survey with previous surveys. Results: Data of 14,076 cases were collected from 68 institutions. The mean patient age was 62.9 years and the proportion of patients who were aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 28.8% in 2019. The proportion of upper-third tumors steadily increased from 11.2% in 1995 to 20.9% in 2019 and that of early gastric cancer increased from 57.7% in 2009 to 63.6% in 2019. Regarding operative procedures, a total laparoscopic approach was used in more than half of the cases (55.1%) in 2019. The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (45.0%) after distal gastrectomy and double tract reconstruction (81.2%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2019. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.0%, and the overall postoperative complication rate was 14.5%. Conclusions: The results of the 2019 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for gastric cancer research in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.259-262
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• 2000

There are many difficulties in the management of terminal cancer pain. We often encounter difficulties when nerve blocks or epidural injection of drugs do not produce good results. Local anesthetics, opioids and adjunctives, were administered to two patients intrathecally. The results were very satisfactory. It has complications such as hypotension or infection due to intrathecal route. In the first case, the pancreatic cancer patient complicated with severe epigastic pain but unfortunately no management was effective in pain control. Intrathecal injection of bupivacaine and morphine mixture was successful even if syncope which was relieved by bed rest. In the second case, the patient complicated with lower abdominal pain due to ovarian cancer who very well controlled by epidural injection of morphine and clonidine mixture but morphine demand was greatly increased. Intrathecal injection of morphine and ketamine were tried. The patient had comportable analgesic effect. CSF leakage to subcutaneous occurred but resolved by change of the catheter position or retunnelling. There were no significant complications reported in two cases.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.270-281
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• 2005

Purpose: The objective of this study was to understand the caring experience of families with terminal cancer patients. Method: This was designed to be an inductive and descriptive study. Forty-seven families with terminal cancer patients were interviewed in depth and collected data were examined through content analysis. Result: The main categories of difficulties found in this study were 'suffering of patient', 'emotional suffering of family', 'bereavement of patient', 'difficulties in coping', 'problems in treatment', 'incurable situation', 'family problems', 'relationship with other people', 'economic problems', 'spiritual problems', 'problems in the future', 'informing patients of their condition', 'preparing death', 'emotional unstability', 'meaninglessness', 'unkindness of medical teams', 'poor environment for treatment', 'difficulties in hospital environment' and 'economic burden'. Conclusion: The main point found from this result was that families taking care of terminal cancer patients are suffering emotionally from watching the patients' pains and had difficulties in coping with the patients' situation and treatment. In addition, they had negative experiences in medical teams' attitude and hospital environment. This result can be used as an important guide for nurses to assess families' needs in the terminal care setting.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.119-126
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• 2009

Purpose: In order to estimate clinical effects of acupotomy and venesection in a patient with peripheral neuropathy and upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Methods: From 17th August, 2009 to 29th August 2009, 1 female patient with peripheral neuropathy and upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery was treated with general oriental medicine therapy(acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, herbal medication) and acupotomy with venesection. Results: The patient's chief complaints- Lt hand numbness, Lt arm edema, Lt. wrist flexion limitation - were notably improved. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that oriental medical treatment with acupotomy and venesection therapy has significant effect in improving symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery, as though we had not wide experience in this treatment, more research is needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.478-483
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• 2013

Objectives : To observe the therapeutic effects of an oriental herbal prescription in a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Methods : Modified Sipjeondaebo-tang was prescribed three times a day to a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Laboratory tests were carried out regularly to observe the therapeutic effects of the oriental herbal prescription for pancytopenia. Results : When treated with modified Sipjeondaebo-tang including Cinnamomi Cortex, the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit increased. However, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamic transpeptidase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin levels also increased. Conclusions : Administering modified Sipjeondaebo-tang with Cinnamomi Cortex showed effect in improving pancytopenia but an increase in liver enzyme levels was also observed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권8호
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• pp.4571-4576
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• 2013

Background: Depression is a comorbid disabling problem and potentially affects patient likelihood of survival. The aims of this study were to recognize the characteristics of depression and investigate associated predictor factors in patients with oral cancers. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational design was used to collect data for this study conducted in northern Taiwan. A set of questionnaires was used to measure depression, symptom distress, performance status, social support, and demographic and disease-related information. Logistic regression was conducted to determine important factors predicting depression. Results: A total of 132 oral cancer patients participated in this study. Of these, 18.2% were identified as depression cases. The patient average performance status score was 90 or higher. Patients reported mild-to-moderate levels of symptom distress. The majority of social support was from families. Religious belief, alcohol use, symptom distress, and social support from family were found to be important factors predicting depression. Patients with religious belief with alcohol use reported greater symptom distress, and those with lower levels of social support from families were significantly more likely to develop depression. Conclusions: Clinicians should assess patient emotional status and manage symptoms in a timely manner to enhance coping abilities. Supportive care provides assurance during the acute survivor phase.