• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8823-8828
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• 2014

Objective: To explore the most appropriate treatment for patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) >10 cm by using the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 HCC patients undergoing surgery were selected. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors were respectively assessed. Results: This study showed that the cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 79.7%, 59.8% and 41.6% in BCLC-A patients, 76.2%, 9.5% and 0% in BCLC-B patients and 44.9%, 0% and 0% in BCLC-C patients, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year DFS rates were 49%, 24.5% and 9.1% in BCLC-A patients, 7.5%, 0% and 0% in BCLC-B patients, respectively. No BCLC-C patients survived 1 year after surgery. Multivariate analysis indicated that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), vascular invasion, intra-hepatic metastasis, curative resection, tumor rupture and pathologic differentiation were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Surgery is effective and safe for patients with HCC >10 cm with sufficient hepatic reserve.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2279-2285
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate treatment outcomes of patients with stage I-III endometrial cancer treated with postoperative radiation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 166 endometrial cancer patients, undergoing surgery and postoperative radiotherapy at Siriraj Hospital from 2005-2008 was performed. Pathology was reviewed. Results of treatment were reported with 5-year loco-regional recurrence free survival (LRRFS), 5-year overall survival (OS), patterns of failure and toxicity, and according to stage and risk groups. Results: Median follow up time was 62.8 months. Pathological changes were found in 36.3% of the patients after central reviews, leading to 19% changes in risk groups. Most of the patients (83.7%) received pelvic radiation (PRT) and vaginal brachytherapy (VBT). Five-year LRRFS and OS of all patients were 94.9% and 85.5%, respectively. There was no recurrence or death in low and low-intermediate risk groups. For the high-intermediate risk group, 5-year LRRFS and OS were 96.2% and 90.8%, respectively, and for the high risk group 90.5% and 71%. Late grade 3 and 5 gastrointestinal toxicity was found in 3% and 1.2% of patients, respectively. All of them received PRT 5,000 cGy in 25 fractions. Conclusions: Low and intermediate risk patients had good results with surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy. For high risk patients, postoperative radiation therapy alone appeared to be inadequate as the most common pattern of failure was distant metastasis.

• Annals of Laboratory Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.538-544
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• 2018

Background: Serum copeptin has been demonstrated to be useful in early risk stratification and prognostication of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the prognostic value of copeptin after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for clinical outcomes remains uncertain. We investigated the prognostic role of serum copeptin levels immediately after successful PCI as a prognostic marker for major adverse cardiac events (MACE; comprising death, repeat PCI, recurrent MI, or coronary artery bypass grafting) in patients with AMI. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 149 patients with AMI who successfully received PCI. Serum copeptin levels were analyzed in blood samples collected immediately after PCI. The association between copeptin levels and MACE during the follow-up period was evaluated. Results: MACE occurred in 34 (22.8%) patients during a median follow-up of 30.1 months. MACE patients had higher copeptin levels than non-MACE patients did. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in serum copeptin levels was associated with increased MACE incidence (odds ratio=1.6, P =0.005). Conclusions: A high level of serum copeptin measured immediately after PCI was associated with MACE in patients with AMI during long-term follow-up. Serum copeptin levels can serve as a prognostic marker in patients with AMI after successful PCI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2022

Background: The efficacy of telemedicine among cancer survivors is uncertain. The Smart After-Care Program (SAP), which is an interactive, smartphone-based remote health monitoring system, was developed to help patients manage their health after leaving the hospital. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of our remote health care program for lung cancer patients. Methods: We enrolled 50 patients with lung cancer. Self-monitoring devices were supplied to all patients, who were instructed to enter their daily vital signs and subjective symptoms to the Smart After-Care app. The app also provided information about rehabilitation exercises and a healthy diet for lung cancer patients. All patients received health counseling via telephone once a week and visited an outpatient clinic during weeks 6 and 12 to assess satisfaction with the SAP and changes in quality of life and physical performance. Results: Overall satisfaction with the SAP was very high (very good, 61.9%; good, 26.2%). In the multivariate analysis to identify factors affecting satisfaction, the distance between the patient's residence and the hospital was the only significant independent factor (p=0.013). Quality of life improved along all functional scales (p<0.05). Muscle strength significantly improved in the lower limbs (p=0.012). Two-minute walk distance also significantly improved (p=0.028). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the SAP was acceptable for and supportive of patients with reduced pulmonary function after lung cancer treatment. The SAP was found to be particularly useful for patients living far from the hospital.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to characterize scoliosis patients visiting Korean medicine hospital and to analyze the demands and factors affecting discomfort. Methods This retrospective study analyzed 33 scoliosis patients who visited Korean medicine hospital from March, 2021 to October, 2021. The data analysis consisted of three factors: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) characteristics of demands on Korean medicine (reasons for choosing Korean medical treatment, preferred treatment methods, most uncomfortable part, treatment priorities) and (3) discomfort factors (treatment experiences, diagnosed age and Cobb's angle). Statistical analyses were performed and a p-value≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results 43.75% of the patients chose 'effectiveness' for the reason why they preferred Korean medicine treatment. 'Chuna treatment' was the most preferred treatment method. The patients chose 'lower back' for the most uncomfortable part and 'pain' for the highest priority of improvement. The Cobb's angle of included patients was 16.02±7.65° and it is not much differ to average of Cobb's angle in Korean. Discomfort was more severe in the patients with treatment-experienced than treatment-naive. The score of discomfort in appearance and psychological were higher in the patients diagnosed in childhood or adolescent period than who were diagnosed after adult. Classification based on Cobb's angle showed no statistical difference. Conclusions Not only Cobb's angle but also other clinical factors should be considered for effective treatment in scoliosis. Also, It is necessary to pay attention to adult scoliosis patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 1996

Hemifacial spasm commonly occurs in muscles about the eye, but may also involve or spread to the entire side of the face. One hundred and seventy eight patients with hemifacial spasm visited our Neuro-Pain clinic from January 1992 to April 1996. There were 121 female and 57 male patients, a 2.1:1 ratio respectively. Largest percentages of patients were in the 50 year old range. Among them, 96 patients were treated by facial nerve block or O'Brien block. In most cases, induced facial palsy disappeared within one or two months. Among the 96 patients who received nerve block, 46 patients received a second block within 5 to 24 months. The average interval from first and second nerve block was 11.5 months. After nerve block, all patients were free from spasm for 1 to 21 months. We conclude that facial nerve block is a satisfactory and reliable method for the treatment of facial spasm.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 2020

Background: The incidence of skin cancer, which is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, has steadily increased in recent years. The authors of the present study sought to investigate changes in the epidemiology of skin cancer by conducting a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with skin cancer who received related care at a single medical institution. Methods: The present study included patients who were diagnosed with skin cancer and received treatment at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 2008 to 2018. The site and type of skin cancer, the number of patients with skin cancer each year, the sex and sex ratio of the patients, and changes in patients' age at first diagnosis were examined through retrospective chart reviews. Results: The number of patients with skin cancer significantly increased, but statistically significant changes were not found in patients' sex, skin cancer sites, or the types of skin cancer. However, patients' age at the first diagnosis of skin cancer showed a statistically significant decrease starting in 2015. Conclusion: In this study, the number of patients with skin cancer increased over time. However, patients' age at first diagnosis has decreased since 2015. Therefore, younger patients should take care to prevent skin cancer, and further research on the causes of skin cancer in younger patients is needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 1995

Purpose : To evaluate the prognostic importance of age in patients with Stage IB cervical cancer, we examined the relationship between age and survival in patients. Methods and Materials: Retrospective analysis was performed on 107 patients with Stage IB cervical cancer: 79 patients were treated with surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy or radiation alone between October 1983 and August 1993 and 28 patients with Stage IB cervical cancer treated with surgery alone between January 1989 and August 1993 at Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital. Patients ranged in age from 26 to 74 (median 48) and were followed for a modian period of 39 months. Patients were divided into two groups; Group A comprising 32 Patients $with{\geq}$age 40 and Group B comprising 75 patients with>age 40. Both Group A and Group B patients were comparable with respect to all covariables studied. Results : The overall 5-year survival and the disease free 5-year survival for the 107 patients studied were $85.2\%$ and $82.1\%$, respectively. The overall survival for Group A and Group B was $92\%$ and $83\%$, respectively(p>0.05). The disease free 5-year survival for Group A and Group B was $82.3\%$ and $82.6\%$, respectively(p>0.05). There was no difference in both local and distant failure in Group A and Group B. Conclusion: On the basis of the this analysis it is concluded that age alone is a poor indicator of prognosis and should not be used as an indication for adjuvant treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.622-627
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• 2016

Objective : Although a high incidence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) following traumatic subdural hygroma (SDG) has been reported, no study has evaluated risk factors for the development of CSDH. Therefore, we analyzed the risk factors contributing to formation of CSDH in patients with traumatic SDG. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed patients admitted to Hallym University Hospital with traumatic head injury from January 2004 through December 2013. A total of 45 patients with these injuries in which traumatic SDG developed during the follow-up period were analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups based on the development of CSDH, and the associations between the development of CSDH and independent variables were investigated. Results : Thirty-one patients suffered from bilateral SDG, whereas 14 had unilateral SDG. Follow-up computed tomography scans revealed regression of SDG in 25 of 45 patients (55.6%), but the remaining 20 patients (44.4%) suffered from transition to CSDH. Eight patients developed bilateral CSDH, and 12 patients developed unilateral CSDH. Hemorrhage-free survival rates were significantly lower in the male and bilateral SDG group (logrank test; p=0.043 and p=0.013, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed male (OR, 7.68; 95% CI 1.18-49.78; p=0.033) and bilateral SDG (OR, 8.04; 95% CI 1.41-45.7; p=0.019) were significant risk factors for development of CSDH. Conclusion : The potential to evolve into CSDH should be considered in patients with traumatic SDG, particularly male patients with bilateral SDG.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.149-163
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• 2000

The purposes of this study were to investigate the pathway which stroke patients take in seeking medical care and to identify factors which influence that pathway. This study was conducted by a survey. The subjects were 130 adults, who were diagnosed with a stroke between January and April of 2000. Data was collected by means of a interview, questionnaires, and an Activity Index. The result of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The mean age of subject was 61.58 years. Forty-nine percent were men and fifty percent were women. The majority of the subjects were married. For educational level, thirty-three percent finished elementary school, and twenty-three percent, high school. Most of the subjects reported 'middle' economic status. Ninety-two percent lived with their spouse and children. The diagnosis for seventy-two percent was ischemic stroke and for twenty-two percent, hemorrhagic stroke. 2 The most frequent early sign of stroke was hemiplegia(43.3%), loss of consciousness (36.7%), dysarthria(33.3%). The type of hospital first used was a herb hospital(40.8%), or a western hospital(59.2%). The factors in their choice were ; distance from the hospital to the place that the stroke occurred(47.5%), desire for a herb hospital(15.8%), and an invitation(12.9%). The ischemic stroke patients preferred herb hospitals, but hemorrhagic stroke patients preferred a western hospitals. 3. The pattern of stroke patients seeking medical care was that forty-three percent of stroke patients pass through step 1, forty-six percent, through step 2, and 8.5% through step 3. The more steps, the higher the use of herb hospitals. 4. The factors influencing the pathway of stroke patients seeking medical care were diagnosis, and level of consciousness. Ischemic stroke patients used herb hospitals, more frequently hemorrhagic stroke patients, who used western hospitals. The alert patient preferred a herb hospital, but stupor patients preferred a western hospital. 5. The Activity Index was not related to the pathway which stroke patients used in seeking medical care.