• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.750-754
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• 2002

Primary cardiac tumors are rare and about 20~25% of primary cardiac tumors are malignant. Moreover, primary malignant mesenchymoma of the heart is extremely rare. Recently, we have experienced two cases of cardiac malignant mesenchymoma. In the first case, malignant mesenchymoma which was originated from the posterior wall of the left atrium obstructing the mitral orifice was revealed pathologically in a 61-year-old woman with mitral regurgitation. The mass, which was 2.7$\times$3.7cm in size on the posterior wall of left atrium, was extended to the posteromedial commissure and annulus of the mitral valve. The mass was resected partially without excision of the left atrial free wall. She was discharged after 30 days without any problems and she received chemotherapy and followed up for 19months. The second case was a 4$\times$5cm in size, friable, yellow-whitish multilobulated mass in the left atrium which was originated from the left lower pulmonary vein. Multiple minor tumor nodules were found in the wall of the left atrium and the posterior leaflet of mitral valve. Partial mass excision and mitral valve replacement were performed.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2001

Objectives: Alcohol intake has been reported to be a risk factor of laryngeal cancer. Since the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotype is a major determinant of personal alcohol drinking habit, there is a possibility that ALDH2 genotype would be a risk factor for laryngeal cancer. N-Acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is a detoxifying enzyme and its polymorphism has been reported to be related to the risk of many environmental cancers. However, studies on the associations between these two genotypes and laryngeal cancer risk are scarce. We have assessed the effects of alcohol intake and the genotype of ALDH2 and NAT2 on the risk of laryngeal cancer in Koreans. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four pathologically proven laryngeal cancer patients and 168 age matched controls were included as the study subjects. Information about alcohol intake and smoking habit was collected using a self administered questionnaire. ALDH2 and NAT2 genotypes were analyzed using PCR-RFLP methods. Results: Alcohol intake was significant as a risk factor for laryngeal cancer (OR : 2.58, 95% CI : 1.24, 5.36), especially for supraglottic laryngeal cancer (OR : 3.24, 95% CI : 1.02, 10.31). Personal drinking habit was closely related with personal smoking habit, which was a potent risk factor of laryngeal cancer. In a stratified analysis according to the level of cumulative smoking amount, drinking was significant neither in light smokers (equal or less than 30 pack-years) nor in heavy smoker (over 30 pack-years). The ALDH2 genotype was significantly associated with the risk of laryngeal cancer in a univariate analysis. The statistical significance, however, disappeared after adjusting alcohol intake using a multiple conditional logistic model. The NAT2 genotype was not significant as a risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking and ALDH2 genotype would have indirect effects on laryngeal cancer by their correlations with cigarette smoking or with alcohol drinking. It is less likely that the NAT2 genotype would be a potent risk factor of laryngeal cancer.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2014

Purpose: Since most terminally ill cancer patients die of multiple organ failure, plasma endotoxin concentration levels may be used to predict the life expectancy. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of endotoxin level in plasma as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with terminal cancer. Methods: This study was conducted with 56 terminally ill cancer patients, above 20 years old, from April 2009 through October 2009. Demographic characteristics, Karnofsky performance status, and survival time were evaluated. We analyzed blood levels of white blood cell hemoglobin, hematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, c-reactive protein, total bilirubin and endotoxin in each patient. Results: We considered following variable for univariate analysis: plasma endotoxin level, sex, age, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, CRP and severity of pain. Univariate analysis did not show a significant association between plasma endotoxin level and survival time. However, in a multivariate analysis with factors that were found to be significantly associated with survival sex, WBC count and total bilirubin level in univariate analysis, high levels of plasma endotoxin and short survival time were significantly related. Conclusion: Plasma endotoxin level could be used as a prognostic factor to predict the life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.198-206
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to calculate and analyze the effective radiation doses from computed tomography (CT) and radiologic intervention in patients in the emergency department (ED) with trauma critical pathway (CP) activation and further to estimate the lifetime attributable risks (LARs) for the incidence of and mortality from cancers induced by the radiation dose. Methods: Through a retrospective electrical chart review of 104 injured patients who trauma critical pathway were activated from November 2012 to March 2013, we calculated effective radiologic doses by taking the product of the dose-linear product of the scan and the conversion coefficient. After a determination of the image results, we divided the patients into two groups, negative or positive, and calculated the effective dose for each group. With these results, we estimated the LARs for the incidence of and the mortality from cancers by using the table in the Biologic Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR)-VII report. Results: A total of 76 patients were enrolled. The mean age was $49.0{\pm}8.5$ years. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was $12.7{\pm}8.4$. The cumulative effective dose (CED) for individual patients varied from 2.8 mSv to 238.8 mSv, and the mean was $47.6{\pm}39.9$ mSv. The CED in patients with an $ISS{\geq}16$($63.2{\pm}26.6$ mSv) was higher than that of patients whose ISS<16($33.5{\pm}23.1$ mSv) (p<0.001). The CED in patients who were treated with surgery or intervention($69.0{\pm}45.2$ mSv) was higher than that of patients who were treated conservatively($33.6{\pm}22.4$ mSv) (p<0.001). The LARs for cancer incidence and mortality were $328.5{\pm}308.6$ and $189.0{\pm}159.3$ per 100,000 people, respectively. Conclusion: The CED and the LAR for trauma CP-activated patients in the ED were significant, so efforts should be made to decrease the effective dose received by severely injured patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.805-811
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• 1996

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the Lung(CCAM) is characterized by anomalous fetal development of terminal respiratory structures, resulting in an adenomatoid proliferation of bronchiolar elements and cystic formation. CCAM was first described and differentiated from other cystic lung disease in the English literature by Ch'in and Tang in 1949. CCAN is a rare, potentially lethal form of congenital pulmonary cystic disease and the salient features of lesion are an irregular network of terminal respiratory bronchiole-like structures and macrocysts variably lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and simple cuboidal epithelium. Adult presentation of CCAM of the lung is so rare that only 9 cases have been reported in the literature of date. The pathogenesis of CCAM remains disputed and reseachers have variously proposed that the lesion represents a developmental anomaly, hamartoma, or a fonn of pulmonary dysplasia. Van Dijk and Wagenvoort divided CCAM into three subtypes : cystic, intermediated, and solid. These correspond to types I, II, and III of Stocker. In adults, the evaluation of cystic or multi cystic lung disease requires consideration of a differential diagnosis including the acquired lesions of lung abscess, cavitary neoplasm or inflammatory mass, bullous disease, bronchiectasis, and postionflammatory pneumatocele. Congenital lesions such as sequestration, bronchopulmonary-foregut anomalies, and bronchogenic cyst are also encounted. The definitive treatment for CCAM is complele removal of the involved lobe. Panial lobectomy leads to multiple complications, including severe post-operative infection. We report a case of CCAM in a 14-year-old female presentated with a pneumothorax and large bullae, who was treated by surgical remove of the involved lobe.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.539-547
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• 2021

This study was conducted to identify the effects of knowledge of Advance Directives (AD) and the patient's perception of a peaceful death on their attitude toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and to provide basic data for the development of a nursing intervention program for activating self-determination in the withdrawal of life-sustaining support of patients. The subjects were 167 adult cancer patients who received outpatient or inpatient treatment, from September 15, 2019, to March 30, 2020. The data was analyzed by mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression by using SPSS 21.0. From the results, it was observed that the knowledge of AD was 8.87±2.46 out of 12, perception of a peaceful death was 2.87±0.42 out of 4, and attitude toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment was 3.46±0.49 out of 5. There was a positive correlation between knowledge of AD, perception of a peaceful death, and their attitude toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. The influencing variables were the knowledge of AD, perception of a peaceful death, discussion with family on withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and explanation power was 16.0% (F=10.355, p<.001). Therefore, it is necessary to develop a program that would improve the perception of a peaceful death, increase the knowledge of AD to improve the patients' attitude toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. An intervention to assist a discussion between the patients and their families in advance would also be useful.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.104-107
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• 2013

Gallbladder (GB) cancer is highly malignant neoplasm found in advanced stage and chemotherapy commonly plays a palliative role in GB cancer. We report a case of unresectable GB cancer treated with chemotherapy followed by extended cholecystectomy. Fifty-six-year-old male visited our hospital with weight loss and dyspnea on exertion. Computed tomography detected pulmonary embolism and diffuse GB wall thickening with para-aortic lymph node enlargement. The length of common channel was 23mm at magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography which stands for anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct. Anticoagulation was started for pulmonary embolism. GB wall mass was regarded as unresectable GB cancer with distant lymph node metastasis. Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy was carried out for 6 cycles. Primary tumor was stationary but multiple enlarged lymphnodes were almost completely disappeared. Extended cholecystectomy with hepaticojejunostomy was performed. Post-operative tumor stage was T3N1 (stage IIIB) and R0 resection was achieved. After operation he has no evidence of disease recurrence for 6 months.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.421-427
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• 2024

Ectopic breast tissue can develop along the mammary ridge from the axilla to the groin, and the most common site is the axillae. Primary carcinoma of ectopic breast tissue is extremely rare. We report a rare case of a 61-year-old woman with a palpable mass in her left axilla who had a history of surgical excision of accessory breast tissue in the same area. Mammography (MMG), including axillary tail view, ultrasound (US), and breast MRI were performed. We evaluated the extent and characteristics of the microcalcifications in the axillary tail view. A US-guided biopsy was done, and histopathology revealed an invasive ductal carcinoma. Enhanced abdominal CT revealed multiple hepatic masses consistent with metastases, and the patient received palliative chemotherapy. Herein, we present a rare case of breast cancer arising from accessory breast tissue in the axilla, best appreciated on the axillary tail view of the patient's MMG.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.812-822
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• 2019

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of combining diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiating between pathologic and traumatic fractures at extremities from metastasis. Materials and Methods: Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study and informed consent was waived. This study included 49 patients each with pathologic and traumatic fractures at extremities. The patients underwent conventional MRI combined with DWI. For qualitative analysis, two radiologists (R1 and R2) independently reviewed three imaging sets with a crossover design using a 5-point scale and a 3-scale confidence level: DWI plus non-enhanced MRI (NEMR; DW set), NEMR plus contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted imaging (CEFST1; CE set), and DWI plus NEMR plus CEFST1 (combined set). McNemar's test was used to compare the diagnostic performances among three sets and perform subgroup analyses (single vs. multiple bone abnormality, absence/presence of extra-osseous mass, and bone enhancement at fracture margin). Results: Compared to the CE set, the combined set showed improved diagnostic accuracy (R1, 84.7 vs. 95.9%; R2, 91.8 vs. 95.9%, p < 0.05) and specificity (R1, 71.4% vs. 93.9%, p < 0.005; R2, 85.7% vs. 98%, p = 0.07), with no difference in sensitivities (p > 0.05). In cases of absent extra-osseous soft tissue mass and present fracture site enhancement, the combined set showed improved accuracy (R1, 82.9-84.4% vs. 95.6-96.3%, p < 0.05; R2, 90.2-91.1% vs. 95.1-95.6%, p < 0.05) and specificity (R1, 68.3-72.9% vs. 92.7-95.8%, p < 0.005; R2, 83.0-85.4% vs. 97.6-98.0%, p = 0.07). Conclusion: Combining DWI with conventional MRI improved the diagnostic accuracy and specificity while retaining sensitivity for differentiating between pathologic and traumatic fractures from metastasis at extremities.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.348-355
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• 2003

Background: The prognostic significance of lymph node micrometastasis in non-small cell lung cancer remains controversial. We therefore investigated the clinicopathologic factors related to lymph node micrometastsis and evaluated the clinical relevance of micrometastasis with regard to recurrence. Material and Method: Five hundred six lymph nodes were obtained from 41 patients with stage 1 non-small ceil lung cancer who underwent curative resection between 1994 and 1998. Immunohistochemical staining using anti-cytokeratin Ab was used to detect micrometastasis in these lymph nodes. Result: Micrometastatic tumor cells were identified in pN0 lymph nodes in 14 (34.1%) of 41 patients. The presence of lymph node micrometastasis was not related to any clinicopathoiogic factor (p) 0.05). The recurrence rate was higher in patients with micrometastasis (57.1%) than in those without (37.0%), but the difference was not significant (p=0.22). Patients with micrometastasis had a lower 5-year recurrence-free survival rate (48.2%) than those without micrometastasis (64.1%), with a borderline significance (p=0.11), The S-year recurrence-free survival rate (25.0%) in the patients with 2 or more micrometastatic lymph nodes was significantly lower than that in the patients with no or single micrometastasis (p=0.02). In multivariate analysis, multiple lymph node micromestasis us was a significant independent predictor of recurrence (p=0.028, Risk ratio=3.568). Conclusion: Immunehistochemical anti-cytokeratin staining was a rapid, sensitive, and easy way of detecting lymph node micrometastasis. The presence of lymph node micrometastasis was not significantly associated with the recurrence, but had a tendency toward a poor prognosis in stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer. Especially, the presence of multiple micrometastatic lymph nodes was a significant and independent predictor of recurrence.