• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2021

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant tumor, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 to 2 per 1,000,000 per year. Approximately 75% of SCs are reported to occur in eyelids. Most of these tumors are diagnosed at age 40 or over and exhibit a wide variety of patterns in addition to the general appearance previously reported. SC is difficult to diagnose clinically, but can be diagnosed by accompanying biopsy. In cases of SC, additional examinations, such as endoscopy and computed tomography, may be necessary because of its association with Muir-Torre Syndrome. We present the case of a 22-year-old Asian man who complained of a rapidly growing chin tumor. The tumor was treated by surgical resection and adjuvant radiation therapy.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.57-59
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• 2021

For nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery is indicated only for stage 3 as a curative measure. Even so, there is a high risk of recurrence following stage 3 lung cancer surgery, a third (33.9%) of patients experienced a cancer recurrence mostly within 2 years after surgery. The median survival time for all stages reaches only 21.9 months. For people undergoing surgery for stage 3A NSCLC, a pre-operative course of (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) can improve survival times, by improving the resectability and lowering the risk of recurrence. Pleural metastases are frequently associated with tumors of the lung and breast. Chest radiographs and computed tomography scans of pleural metastases can present as an effusion or smooth or nodular pleural thickening. In the absence of irregular or nodular pleural thickening, it is difficult to distinguish a benign from a malignant pleural effusion. To treat lung cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) recently have been used to cope with genetic mutations, apart from cytotoxic anticancer drugs. Compared to cytotoxic drugs, they are effective, have fewer side effects, and are easy to administer. Airman must have no cancer disease to apply for Class-I medical certification. Specifically, if previously operated on cancer, the cancer should not remain in the body at present, and the disease free state should persist at least one year after all kinds of anti-cancer treatments including adjuvant chemotherapy are completed. Here, this case deals with a 41-year-old pilot who has ATP license who had stage 3A NSCLC. The pilot underwent curative lung cancer surgery (lobectomy) a year ago and showed suspicious pleural metastasis at the time of his application for certification and was still using an unauthorized TKI agent alectinib (Alecensa; Roche, Basel, Switzerland).

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.615-620
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• 2022

The murine leukemia virus-based semi-retroviral replicating vectors (MuLV-based sRRV) had been developed to improve safety and transgene capacity for cancer gene therapy. However, despite the apparent advantages of the sRRV, improvements in the in vivo transduction efficiency are still required to deliver therapeutic genes efficiently for clinical use. In this study, we established a gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) envelope-pseudotyped semi-replication-competent retrovirus vector system (spRRV) which is composed of two transcomplementing replication-defective retroviral vectors termed MuLV-Gag-Pol and GaLV-Env. We found that the spRRV shows considerable improvement in efficiencies of gene transfer and spreading in both human glioblastoma cells and pre-established human glioblastoma mouse model compared with an sRRV system. When treated with ganciclovir after intratumoral injection of each vector system into pre-established U-87 MG glioblastomas, the group of mice injected with spRRV expressing the herpes simplex virus type 1-thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) gene showed a survival rate of 100% for more than 150 days, but all control groups of mice (HSV1-tk/PBS-treated and GFP/GCV-treated groups) died within 45 days after tumor injection. In conclusion, these findings sug-gest that intratumoral delivery of the HSV1-tk gene by the spRRV system is worthy of development in clinical trials for the treatment of malignant solid tumors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.258-264
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• 2023

As a high-grade soft-tissue sarcoma (STS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is highly recurrent and malignant. UPS is categorized as a tumor of uncertain differentiation and has few options for treatment due to its lack of targetable genetic alterations. There are also few cell lines that provide a representative model for UPS, leading to a dearth of experimental research. Here, we established and characterized new cell lines derived from two recurrent UPS tissues. Cells were obtained from UPS tissues by mincing, followed by extraction or dissociation using enzymes and culture in a standard culture environment. Cells were maintained for several months without artificial treatment, and some cell clones were found to be tumorigenic in an immunodeficient mouse model. Interestingly, some cells formed tumors in vivo when injected after aggregation in a non-adherent culture system for 24 h. The tissues from in vivo study and tissues from patients shared common histological characteristics. Pathways related to the cell cycle, such as DNA replication, were enriched in both cell clones. Pathways related to cell-cell adhesion and cell-cell signaling were also enriched, suggesting a role of the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition for tumorigenicity in vivo. These new UPS cell lines may facilitate research to identify therapeutic strategies for UPS.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2023

Background Trunk defects can occur because of surgical site infections after spinal surgery, resection of malignant tumors, or trauma. Herein, we present our experience of using intercostal artery perforator (ICAP) flaps to reconstruct trunk defects without noteworthy complications. Fourteen patients underwent reconstruction with ICAP flaps between March 2015 and March 2019. Methods Patients' data, including age, sex, the cause of the defect, defect size, perforator location, flap size, complications, and follow-up period, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 years (range, 19-80 years). All operations were performed after the results of bacterial culture from the wound showed no microbial growth. We found reliable perforators around the defect using Doppler ultrasonography. The perforator flaps were elevated with a pulsatile perforator and rotated in a propeller fashion to the defects. We performed five dorsal and two lateral ICAP flaps. The mean flap dimensions were 12 × 5.5 cm² (range, 6 × 5 to 18 × 8 cm²). Results Primary closure of the donor site was performed. Marginal congestion was observed as a complication in one case, but it healed with no need for revision. The mean follow-up period was 8 months. All patients were satisfied with the surgical outcomes. Conclusion ICAP flaps can be easily mobilized, thereby reducing donor site morbidity without sacrificing the underlying muscles for trunk reconstruction. Therefore, these flaps are useful options for the reconstruction of trunk defects.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2023

Background: Lipomas are common benign tumors of mesenchymal origin that are composed of mature adipocytes. Giant lipomas have a diameter ≥ 10 cm in one or more dimensions or weigh at least 1,000 g. The surgical excision of a giant lipoma requires extensive dissection, increasing the risk of a seroma, which can cause surgical site complications such as wound infection and necrosis. Sclerotherapy with Abnobaviscum (Viscum album extract) is a relatively new technique used to reduce malignant pleural effusion. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of prophylactic sclerotherapy using Abnobaviscum to decrease seroma after giant lipoma excision. Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of patients who underwent surgical excision for giant lipoma of the neck from January 2019 to December 2022. Sclerotherapy was performed on the first postoperative day in patients who consented to the procedure, and Abnobaviscum was instilled through the existing Hemovac drain. We compared the clinical course between those who underwent postoperative sclerotherapy and those who did not. Results: Among the 30 patients who underwent giant lipoma excision, we applied sclerotherapy with Abnobaviscum to 15 patients. The average time from surgery to Hemovac removal was statistically shorter in patients who underwent sclerotherapy (p= 0.004). Furthermore, seroma formation was significantly reduced in patients receiving sclerotherapy (p= 0.003). Conclusion: In patients undergoing giant lipoma excision, sclerotherapy using Abnobaviscum helps reduce postoperative seroma formation during the initial postoperative period. It can be an excellent method to reduce complications related to seroma and attenuate patients' postoperative burden.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.19-21
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• 2023

Lipomas are a common soft-tissue tumor of mesenchymal origin, but intermuscular lipomas are very infrequently found especially in the cervical region. Although lipoma itself rarely causes complications, an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important. Surgical excision is indicated for deep lipomas that are 5 cm or larger, grow, or are accompanied by symptoms such as pain. It is also important to differentiate malignant tumors through pathological examination. Since the size of the lipoma was large, lipoma was divided into several pieces to successful removal, and the patient in this case showed successful recovery after surgery.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.3815-3821
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• 2023

Dosimetric studies in Nuclear Medicine are very important, especially with new therapeutic methods, the number of which has increased significantly with the Theranostic approach (determining diagnostic-therapeutic pairs where similar molecules are labelled with different isotopes in order to diagnose and treat malignant diseases). Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been used successfully for many years to treat neuroendocrine tumors (NET). ⁹⁰Y-DOTATOC is one of the radiopharmaceuticals used frequently in this type of therapy. In this work, blood and urine samples from 13 patients treated with ⁹⁰Y-DOTATOC were measured by a liquid scintillation beta counter (LSC). Calibration of the beta counter for this type of measurement was done and all results are presented in the paper. The presented paper also provides a methodology for determining the measurement uncertainty for this type of measurement. Immediately after the administration of radiopharmaceuticals, the activity in the blood was different from 6.31% to 88.9% of the applied radioactivity, while 3 h after the termination of the application, the average value of radiopharmaceuticals in the blood was only 3.84%. The activity in the excreted urine depended on the time when the patients urinated after the therapy. It was measured that as much as 58% of the applied radioactivity was excreted in the first urine after the therapy in a patient who urinated 4.5 h after the completed application of the therapy. In most patients, the highest urine activity was in the first 10 h after the application, while the activities after that time were negligibly low. The described methodology of measuring and evaluating activity in blood and excreted urine can be applied to other radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine. It could be useful for researchers for dosimetric assessments in clinical application of PRRT.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2024

Background: Pericardial effusion (PE) is a serious condition in cancer patients, primarily arising from malignant dissemination. Pericardial window formation is a surgical intervention for refractory PE. However, the long-term outcomes and factors associated with postoperative survival remain unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 166 oncology patients who underwent pericardial window formation at Samsung Medical Center between 2011 and 2023. We analyzed survival and PE recurrence regarding surgical approach, cancer type, and cytopathological findings. To identify factors associated with survival, we utilized Cox proportional-hazards regression. Results: All patients had tumors documented in accordance with the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, including lung (61.4%), breast (9.6%), gastrointestinal (9.0%), hematologic (3.6%), and other cancers (16.4%). Surgical approaches included mini-thoracotomy (67.5%) and thoracoscopy (32.5%). Postsurgical cytopathology confirmed malignancy in 94 cases (56.6%). Over a median follow-up duration of 50.0 months, 142 deaths and 16 PE recurrences occurred. The 1-year overall and PE recurrence-free survival rates were 31.4% and 28.6%, respectively. One-year survival rates were significantly higher for thoracoscopy recipients (43.7% vs. 25.6%, p=0.031) and patients with negative cytopathology results (45.1% vs. 20.6%, p<0.001). No significant survival difference was observed between lung cancer and other types (p=0.129). Multivariate analysis identified New York Heart Association class, cancer stage, and cytopathology as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: This series is the largest to date concerning window formation among cancer patients with PE. Patients' long-term survival after surgery was generally unfavorable. However, cases with negative cytopathology or earlier tumor stage demonstrated comparatively high survival rates.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.212-218
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• 2021

Ewing sarcomas constitute a group of small, round, blue cell tumors of the bone and soft tissue. Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (EES) is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises from soft tissues, and it usually affects children and young adults. EES of the thoracopulmonary region commonly presents with a palpable mass or pain. Although rarely reported, EES affecting the anterior chest wall may present as a breast mass. We report a case of EES arising from the chest wall and manifesting as a palpable breast mass in a 22-year-old woman. The large mass was initially misdiagnosed as a breast origin mass on ultrasonography, but subsequent CT and MRI showed that the mass originated from the chest wall. Radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings of EES, and they should understand that chest wall lesions may be clinically confused as breast lesions.