• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2018

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) rarely involves the parotid gland and its incidence is only 1.7% to 3.1% of all salivary gland neoplasms. The mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is the most common subtype of NHL, followed by follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, two distinct types of lymphomas occurring synchronously in the parotid gland and cervical lymph node have not been reported earlier. A 72-year-old man with rubbery-hard and fixed mass on the left parotid area came to our clinic. We performed the left total parotidectomy with ipsilateral excision of lymph node (level II), and he was finally diagnosed as DLBCL in parotid gland and FL in upper neck. It is presumed that the DLBCL appeared to be a transformation from FL. We report the unique and rare disease entity with brief literature review.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3785-3792
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• 2013

This study aimed to discover to what extent ethical issues are considered in the reimbursement decision process based on health technology assessment (HTA) in Korea, especially for oncology medications. Public summary documents (PSDs) published by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) were analyzed for empirical and normative factors. For external comparison, PSDs presented by corresponding institutions of Australia and the United Kingdom were employed. Furthermore, the opinions of eight expert oncologists were obtained regarding the accountability of the evidence in PSDs. Among 7 oncology drugs, there were differences in the final decisions and empirical factors considered, such as selected comparators and interpretation of evidence between the PSDs from the three institutions. From an ethical viewpoint, the following matters were deficient in the HTA decision-making process for oncology drugs: clear and reasonable standards; identifying and evaluating ethical values; and public accountability for reasonableness about decisions and due process.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6821-6832
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• 2013

Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas require tailored and multidisciplinary treatment and management. However, little is known about how sarcomas are treated and managed throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE was systematically searched using prespecified criteria. Publications (previous 10 years) that reported tumour characteristics, treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and/or safety outcomes of patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were selected. Exclusion criteria were studies of patients <18 years of age; ${\leq}10$ patients; countries other than Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand; >20% benign tumours; sarcomas located in bones or joints; gastrointestinal stromal tumour; Kaposi's sarcoma; or not reporting relevant outcomes. Results: Of the 1,822 publications retrieved, 35 (32 studies) were included. Nearly all patients (98%, 1,992/2,024; 31 studies) were treated with surgery, and more studies used adjuvant radiotherapy than chemotherapy (24 vs 17 studies). Survival outcomes and recurrence rates varied among the studies because of the different histotypes, sites, and disease stages assessed. Only 5 studies reported safety findings. Conclusions: These findings highlight the lack of specific data available about soft-tissue sarcomas in the Asia-Pacific region. Better efforts to understand how the sarcoma is managed and treated will help improve patient outcomes in the region.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop an educational program reflecting the educational needs of Hospice Smart Patient service providers. Method: The description, goal, curriculum, method, and process evaluation of the educational program were constructed based on Modified Tyler-type Ends-Means Model followed by the analysis of current curriculum and needs of service providers. Results: The curriculum was constructed based on hospice volunteer program currently offered in Korea and the recommendations of hospice service volunteers and experts. A total of 90 hr was required to complete the curriculum that was composed of 'Introduction to cancer', 'Treatment and treatment complications of cancer', 'Post-treatment nutritional care', 'Helpful information', 'Introduction to hospice and palliative care', 'Comprehension of life and death', 'Holistic hospice and palliative care', 'How to communicate as a smart patient', 'Hospice and ethics', 'Pediatric hospice', 'Bereavement management', and 'Clinical practicum'. Conclusion: It is necessary to implement the developed educational program and evaluate its effectiveness, as well as making the service available to a greater number of cancer patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the clinical utilization of radiation therapy (RT) in Korea between 2009 and 2013. Materials and Methods: We analyzed open claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The subjects were patients who had diagnostic codes C00-C97 or D00-D48 according to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, with procedure codes indicating RT treatment. Results: The total number of patients who received RT in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 were 45,571, 49,593, 54,671, 59,172, and 61,485, respectively. Among them, the total numbers of male and female patients were 20,780/24,791 in 2009, 22,711/26,882 in 2010, 24,872/29,799 in 2011, 27,101/32,071 in 2012, and 27,941/33,544 in 2013. The five cancers that were most frequently treated with RT between 2009 and 2012 were breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and uterine cervical cancers. However, the fifth most common cancer treated with RT that replaced uterine cervical cancer in 2013 was prostate cancer. The three leading types of cancer among the male patients were lung, colorectal, and liver cancers, whereas in female patients, they were breast, uterine cervical, and lung cancers. The type of cancer most commonly treated by RT was cancer of the central nervous system in patients aged 20 years or less, breast cancer in patients aged 30-50 years, and lung cancer in patients aged 60 years or more. Conclusion: Data from this study provided the clinical utilization of RT in Korea between 2009 and 2013.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Background : Integrative cancer treatment is a holistic approach embracing body, mind, and spirit incorporating conventional treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and personalized complementary treatments. Wheel Balance Therapy (WBT) of East-West Cancer Center(EWCC), Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University was developed to balance out all factors involved in cancer care based on the traditional theories of oriental medicine. Objective : This work aims to analytically review literatures on WBT and its related components. Methods : Literatures published from January 1st, 1990 to April 30th, 2011 were reviewed focusing on 4 main components of WBT; herbal medicine, immune activation, anti-cancer diet, and breathing/meditation. Data were retrieved from medical search engines and electronic data bases including Pubmed, Research Information sharing Service (RISS), Korean-studies Information Service System (KISS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korea's National Digital Library (KNDL). Results : In this review, EWCC's most commonly prescribed formulas are explored. The composition of the formulas, their use in clinical settings as well as the background studies and other therapeutic efficacies are explained. Information on incorporating anti-cancer dietary support and breathing and meditation techniques, other therapies practiced as part of the center's integrative cancer care are also covered. Conclusion : WBT based on holistic theories of oriental medicine embracing body, mind, and spirit is expected to further contribute in promotion of cancer patients' quality of life and prolonged survival time.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.969-973
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• 2014

Background: The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Taiwan has increased in recent years; therefore, the effective dissemination of information related to symptom care has become especially important. Previous studies indicated that the physical and psychological status of cancer patients can be effectively improved by telephone counseling services (TCS). Thus, determining the most effective means of establishing a TCS to support the clinical practice of oncology has become a crucial goal for nursing. The purposes of this study were to analysis the content of the TCS for CRC and explore stratification of the TCS. Materials and Methods: The study design was retrospective. A total of 850 calls were made to CRC patients in the cancer center of Southern Taiwan during the period of January 2007- December 2011. A structure questionnaire was adopted to analysis satisfaction. Results: Responses provided by the TCS included information regarding nutrition, side effects resulting from chemotherapy and pain. Moreover, 28.7% of CRC patients needed advanced treatment. More than 90% satisfaction with all aspects of the calls was found. Conclusions: The TCS coulkd be shown to provide an effective means by which to expand the reach of nursing care to different times, places and patients, allowing for greater cost efficiency and more rapid service.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.513-524
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• 1999

The shortage of nursing personnel was become one of the most serious problems in operating pediatric oncology nursing unit which was the first pediatric oncology nursing unit in Korea. The purpose of this study was to estimate the optimal number of nursing personnel by calculating nursing care hours. The subjects were 13 staff nurses and inpatients of pediatric oncology nursing unit at Seoul National University Hospital during the period of May 20, 1996, to June 2, 1996. The number of nurses' duty was 132, the number of patients treated was 1288 for these 2 weeks. The tools used for this study were pediatric patient classification indexes and direct & indirect care indexes. Each nurse measured the time that they spent for their activities by self record under the supervision of their nurse manager. The method used to calculate the number of nursing personnel was multiplication of the average number of nursing care hours per patient per day with the number of patients. Percentage, average, t-test, F-test were used for data analysis. The results of this study were as follows : 1) The distribution of patient class : Class I & II none, Class III 86.8%. Class IV 12.9% 2) Direct nursing care hours for a patient per shift according to patient classification: Class III : 27.64 minutes, Class IV : 54.64 minutes The average direct nursing service hours for a patient per shift(3 shift) was 31.54 minutes(94.62 m/day). The average indirect nursing service hours for each patient per duty(3 shift) is 21.3 minutes (63. 91 m/day). 3) The average nursing hours for a patient per duty was 52.80 minutes(2.64h/day). 4) The group of administering medications in direct care activities showed the highest percentage (38.9%). Checking vital signs among observation took the most time am.ong each direct care activity (6.88 minutes for a patient per duty). 5) Charting took the most time of each indirect care activity(52.53 minutes/ duty/nurse). 6) The average personal time per duty is 29.40 minutes, which 'was below 30 minutes of this hospital regulations. 7) The average nursing hours that a nurse provided for a duty was 8.60 hours, which meant that a nurse worked 1.10 hours overtime. 8) Standardizing to a 33 bed to a unit, 17 nurses were needed at the present nursing level.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2022

Background: Patients with hematologic cancers have a risk of drug-related problems (DRPs) from medications associated with chemotherapy and supportive care. Although the role of oncology pharmacists has been widely documented in the literature, few studies have reported its impact on cost reduction. This study aimed to describe the activities of oncology pharmacists with respect to hematologic diseases and evaluate the associated cost avoidance. Methods: From January to July 2021, patients admitted to the department of hemato-oncology at Seoul National University, Bundang Hospital were studied. The activities of oncology pharmacists were reported by DRP type following the Pharmaceutical Care Network version 9.1 guidelines, and the acceptance rate was calculated. The avoided cost was estimated based on the cost of the pharmacy intervention, pharmacist manpower, and prescriptions associated with the intervention. Results: Pharmacists intervened in 584 prescriptions from 208 patients during the study period. The most prevalent DRP was "adverse drug event (possibly) occurring" (32.4%), followed by "effect of drug treatment not optimal" (28.6%). "Drug selection" (42.5%) and "dose selection" (30.3%) were the most common causes of DRPs. The acceptance rate of the interventions was 97.1%. The total avoidance cost was KRW 149,468,321; the net profit of the avoidance cost, excluding labor costs, was KRW 121,051,690; and the estimated cost saving was KRW 37,223,748. Conclusion: Oncology pharmacists identified and resolved various types of DRPs from prescriptions for patients with hematologic disease, by reviewing the prescriptions. Their clinical service contributed to enhanced patient safety and the avoidance of associated costs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.533-538
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• 2012

Background: Tobacco cessation would provide the most immediate benefits of tobacco control to prevent tobacco related disease morbidity and mortality. Methods: A tobacco cessation program involving individual and group behavior therapy was implemented in three stages at a worksite. Tobacco quit rates were assessed at the end of each contact session. Results: Out of the 291 tobacco users identified, 224 participated in the tobacco cessation interventions. At the end of three interventions, 38 (17%) users had successfully quit tobacco use. Presence of clinical oral pre-cancer lesion was found to be associated with quitting (p=0.02). Also tobacco users with oral pre-cancer lesions were around three times more likely to quit than those with no lesions (OR= 2.70 95% C.I= 1.20 - 6.05). Conclusion: Cost effective multi-pronged tobacco cessation approaches, inbuilt into other occupational health and welfare activities, are acceptable and feasible to achieve long term sustainable tobacco cessation programs at worksites.