• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

The recently released the $8^{th}$ edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging Manual introduces significant modifications from the prior $7^{th}$ edition. In this paper, the contents of the new changes in the decision of cancer of the head and neck is summarized except changes in staging of skin and thyroid cancer. In addition to the 8th edition, 1) Addition of extracapsular involvement in metastatic lymph nodes (N category) 2) Oral cancer T classification change, 3) Staging of the pharyngeal cancer was divided into 3 chapters: high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), non HR-HPV associated OPC and hypopharynx cancer (HPC), and nasopharynx cancer (NPC) 4) Changes in T and N classification in NPC, 5) In the case of cancer of unknown primary, P16-positive case is defined as HR-HPV related OPC, and EBV-positive case is defined as NPC. The process that led to these changes highlights the need to collect high-fidelity cancer registry-level data that can be used to confirm prognostic observations identified in institutional data sets. Clinicians will continue to use the latest information for patient care, including scientific content of the 8th Edition Manual. All newly diagnosed cases through December $31^{st}$ 2017 should be staged with the 7th edition. The time extension will allow all partners to develop and update protocols and guidelines and for software vendors to develop, test, and deploy their products in time for the data collection and implementation of the 8th edition in 2018. The 8th edition strikes a balance between a personalized, complex system and a more general, simpler one that maintains the user-friendliness and worldwide acceptability of the traditional TNM staging paradigm.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2008

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree. Most cases present within the mediastinum or pulmonary parenchyma without a patent connection to the tracheobronchial tree or digestive tract in the pediatric age group. Cervical bronchogenic cysts in adults are rare. In this report, we describe two cases of incidentally found paratracheal bronchogenic cysts that presented as asymptomatic neck masses in a 66-year-old female with papillary thyroid carcinoma and in a 59-year-old male of Catleman's disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2217-2221
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• 2016

Vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2) was initially identified as a receptor of VEGF on endothelial cells with a role in regulating angiogenesis during organism development and tumorigenesis. Previously, in cancer tissue, VEGFR2 has been reported to be expressed in endothelial cells. In our research, we found that VEGFR2 was expressed not only in endothelial cells but also cancer cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Knockdown of VEGFR2 in Hep2 cells could arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1, leading to a decrease in proliferation. We also present evidence that MAPK/ERK signal pathways and expression of CDK1 downstream of VEGFR2 might regulate proliferation and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, we discovered that down-regulate VEGRF2 in Hep2 cells could significantly affect the invasion ability. Taken together, our data suggest that VEGFR2 might regulate proliferation and invasion in HNSCC cancer cells in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-23
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• 2016

The aim of this report was to present a rare case of a tracheotomy site recurrence after operation and post-operative radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patient. Tracheotomy site recurrence other than subglottic cancer is very rare in head and neck cancer patient. The granulation tissue around tracheotomy was a fertile "soil" for tumor cell implantation. Midline mucosal sparing block which was used to decreased acute toxicity during post-operative radiotherapy could be facilitating the tumor cell implantation. The head and neck surgeon should try every effort to reduce contamination of cancer cells during operation and consider the entire operative field should be included in post-operative radiation portals.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 1988

Brachytherapy is known to be a good modality to achieve local control as a boost treatment following limited external irradiation, which may reduce the external beam related acute radiation sickness, particularly in head and neck cancer. The authors developed iridium-192 ribbons recently to replace the radium needles. Total of 13 head and neck cancer patients had been treated with Ir-192 ribbons during last one year from October 1986 to September 1987, and the results were analysed to assess the applicability of the fabricated sources. The conclusion is as follows; 1) Iridium implant achieved 54% (7/13) of complete response and 69% (9/13) of overall response rate in head and neck cancer. 2) Iridium is superior to radium and cecium in brachytherapy because of easier to use and lesser exposure to the personnel. 3) Afterloading technique is useful to modify dose distribution, to expand treatment site and method, and to develop interstitial hyperthermia.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

It is well established that cancer patients are more susceptible to infection because of the immunosuppressive status caused by both disease itself and anticancer treatment, including surgery and chemoradiation. Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are generally at high-risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and serious adverse outcomes. Although there is an urgent need for guidance in the delivery of safe, quality oncologic care, no international consented recommendation addressed the management of HNC patients in COVID-19 due to limited data. In this review, we summarized the consideration for head and neck oncologic care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the data and the very recent recommendations from the Korean Cancer Association and National Cancer Center. COVID-19 should be taken into consideration in the comprehensive management of HNC patients, and multidisciplinary evaluation of multilevel surgical-risks, discussion of optimized strategy, and shared-decision-making with the patient are needed to maximize both the safety from infectious pandemic and outcome of surgical and oncologic care.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 2022

Due to the low incidence and histologic diversity of salivary gland cancer, analyzing the incidence of salivary gland cancer is necessary to understand the macroscopic aspects. We intend to investigate the international trend of the reported incidence rate of salivary gland cancer. Using the Korea Central Cancer Registry data, the domestic change in the incidence rate was examined. As a result, a significant increasing trend was confirmed, consistent with the United States and Japan trends. The etiology of the change is unclear, and various factors that may influence the direction are reported. Additional research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of salivary gland cancer, and further efforts are required to understand salivary gland cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.885-890
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• 2012

Background: Head and neck cancers are prevalent in Thailand, in particular in the southern region of the country. However, survival with a large data set has not been reported. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the survival figures and the prognostic factors in a cohort of patients treated in a university hospital located in the south of Thailand. Patients and Methods: Consecutive new cases of primary carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharyx, hypopharynx and larynx, treated at Songklanagarind Hospital during 2002 to 2004, were analyzed. The 5-year overall survival rates were obtained by the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were identified through multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: A total 1,186 cases were analyzed. Two-thirds (66.6%) of the cases were at advanced stage (stage III & IV) at presentation. The five-year overall survivals for the whole cohort, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx were 24.1%, 25.91%, 19.2%, 13.4%, 38.0% respectively. Stage and treatment type were strong prognostic factors for all sites. An age ${\geq}$ 80 years was associated with poor survival in oral cavity and larynx cancer. Conclusions: The results revealed remarkably poor outcomes of the patients in the series, indicating a strong need to increase the proportion of early stage presentations and maximize the treatment efficacy to improving outcomes. Very old patients are of particular concern for treatment care of oral cavity and larynx cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2018

Head and neck cancer patients are prone to dysphagia and aspiration, which are usually neglected due to treatment of the cancer itself. However, dysphagia and aspiration could cause malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia, and moreover, have negative impact on the quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Due to its multifactorial etiology, thorough clinical and instrumental evaluation are necessary. In managing head and neck cancer patients, it has become very important to identify the possibility of dysphagia and aspiration, and to start management as early as possible.