• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.5.1-5.11
• /
• 2021

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most frequent type of head and neck cancer that usually arises from the mucosal surfaces of several organs including nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, tongue, pharynx, and larynx. The Wnt signaling pathway is a crucial mechanism for cellular maintenance and development. It regulates cell cycle progression, apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Dysregulation of this pathway correlates with oncogenesis in various tissues including breast, colon, pancreatic as well as head and neck cancers. The present study aims to assess the gene alterations in the Wnt family of genes so as to derive an association with HNSCC. Computational approaches have been utilized for the identification of gene alterations in the Wnt family of genes. Several databases such as cBioportal, STRING, and UALCAN were used for the purpose. The frequency of alteration was high in case of Wnt family member 11 (5%). Gene amplification, deep deletions, missense and truncating mutations were observed in HNSCC patients. There was a marked difference in the gene expression profile of WNT11 between grades as well as normal samples. The survival probability measured using the Kaplan-Meier curve also presented with a significant difference among male and female subjects experiencing a low/medium level expression. The female patients showed less survival probability when compared to the male subjects. This provides the prognostic significance of the WNT11 gene in HNSCC. Taken together, the present study provides clues on the possible association of WNT11 gene alterations with HNSCC, which has to be further validated using experimental approaches.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 1999

Among 60 children with teratoma, forty-three (71.7 percent) were girls and 17 (28.3 percent) boys, Primary sites were sacrococcygeal in 30 patients (50 percent), retroperitoneal in 12 (20 percent), ovarian in 11 (18.3 percent), testicular in 3 (5 percent), and one in each of nasopharyngeal, gastric, hepatic and pancreatic (1.6 percent, respectively). Fifty-five (91.7 percent) teratomas were benign and 5 (8.3 percent) malignant. Malignant teratomas W8,re detected only in the sacrococcygeal region (16.7 percent). Age greater than 2 mouths at diagnosis, presence of urinary or colonic obstructive symptoms, multiple masses and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein were indicators of malignancy in the sacrococcygeal region. Tumor size, presence of calcification, and gross apperance (cystic or solid) did not correlate with malignancy. Thirteen (21.7 percent) cases were associated with other anomalies. For the immature teratoma, operative resection without adjuvant chemotherapy was adequate treatment. Three patients with malignant tumors survived, one who received chemotherapy survived 3 years and the others without chemotherapy survived for 5 and 10 years.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2023

Ampullary tumor is a rare disease whose prevalence rate has increased gradually in recent years with the increase in endoscopic examinations. Ampullary lesions are observed via endoscopy, and biopsy is done to determine whether such lesions are adenomas or carcinomas. Endoscopic papillectomy is performed on ampullary adenomas without intraductal lesions. Before the procedure, bleeding tendencies and pancreatitis are assessed, and the lesion is resected using a high-frequency wave and a thin wire snare. Thereafter, pancreatic duct stent insertion or clipping of the resection site is performed to prevent postprocedural pancreatitis. Although 47-93% of the patients achieve complete endoscopic papillary resection, the recurrence rate is 5-31%. Hence, regular follow-up via endoscopy is required.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 1990

Malignant oral tumors occurred in the oral cavity. They were thought to result from the other primary tumors through hematogenous metastasis. Primary tumors were unusually gall bladder tumor and pancreatic tumor. Biopsy was performed and these specimens were similar to those of the primary sites histologically and clinically. Diagnoses were adenocarcinomas metastatic from the primary tumors. They did not reveal the bony changes, only soft tissue masses.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.307-312
• /
• 2023

Hepatic arterioportal fistulae are abnormal communications between the hepatic artery and portal vein. They are reported to be congenital or acquired secondary to trauma, iatrogenic procedures, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, but less likely to occur spontaneously. Extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) can lead to pre-hepatic portal hypertension. A spontaneous superimposed hepatic arterioportal fistula can lead to pre-sinusoidal portal hypertension, further exacerbating its physiology. This report describes a young woman with long-standing EHPVO presenting with repeated upper gastrointestinal variceal bleeding and symptomatic hypersplenism. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a cavernous transformation of the portal vein and a macroscopic hepatic arterioportal fistula between the left hepatic artery and portal vein collateral in the central liver. The hepatic arterioportal fistula was associated with a flow-related left hepatic artery aneurysm and a portal venous collateral aneurysm proximal and distal to the fistula, respectively. Endovascular coiling was performed for the hepatic arterioportal fistula, followed by proximal splenorenal shunt procedure. This case illustrates an uncommon association of a spontaneous hepatic arterioportal fistula with EHPVO and the utility of a combined endovascular and surgical approach for managing multifactorial non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in such patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.300-315
• /
• 2024

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is among the deadliest malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a primary protein secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs); however, its role and mechanisms of action of Gal-1 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we stimulated GC cells with exogenous human recombinant galectin-1 protein (rhGal-1) to investigate its effects on the proliferation, migration, and resistance to cisplatin. Materials and Methods: We used simulated rhGal-1 protein as a paracrine factor produced by CAFs to induce GC cells and investigated its promotional effects and mechanisms in GC progression and cisplatin resistance. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay confirmed that Gal-1 expression was associated with clinicopathological parameters and correlated with the expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), c-JUN, and Wee1. Results: Our study reveals Gal-1 expression was significantly associated with poor outcomes. Gal-1 boosts the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells by activating the NRP-1/C-JUN/Wee1 pathway. Gal-1 notably increases GC cell resistance to cisplatin The NRP-1 inhibitor, EG00229, effectively counteracts these effects. Conclusions: These findings revealed a potential mechanism by which Gal-1 promotes GC growth and contributes to chemoresistance, offering new therapeutic targets for the treatment of GC.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.380-387
• /
• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: In 2019, the grading and staging system for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) was significantly changed. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with extrahepatic biliary NENs who underwent curative resection with or without adjuvant treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a database of 16 patients who developed NENs, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and mixed endocrine non-endocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) after curative resection. Among them, eight patients had ampulla of Vater (AoV) tumors, and eight patients had non-AoV tumors. Results: G1 and G2 were more frequently observed in the AoV group than in the non-AoV group (12.5% and 62.5%, respectively). In contrast, NEC and MiNEN were more common in the non-AoV group (50.0%). High Ki-67 index (> 20%) and perineural invasion (PNI) were more frequently observed in the non-AoV group. Advanced age (> 65 years), mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm², and Ki-67 index > 20% were strongly correlated with patient survival (p = 0.018, 0.009, and 0.044, respectively). Advanced age (> 65 years) and mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm² were significantly correlated with disease recurrence (p = 0.033 and 0.010, respectively). Conclusions: AoV and non-AoV tumors had significant differences in the histologic grade, Ki67, and PNI. Patients with non-AoV tumors had an increased risk for survival and recurrence than those in the AoV group. For extrahepatic biliary NENs, early detection of tumors, adequate surgery, and aggressive adjuvant treatment for high-risk patients are important to achieve long-term survival and prevent disease recurrence.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.563-569
• /
• 2003

Background : Pleural effusions with high amylase levels are reported frequently in patients with pancreatic diseases, a rupture of the esophagus and a malignancy. However, there is no data available on the clinical features of an amylase-rich pleural effusion in Korea. This report describes the causes of the high amylase levels in a pleural effusion and analyzes its association with malignancy. Methods : The records of patients with an amylase-rich pleural effusion who were assessed at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 1998 to August 2002 were examined retrospectively, and the distribution of amylase levels in those patients, the causative diseases, and the histological type in the case of a malignancy were analyzed. Among the 532 patients whose pleural effusion was evident on a chest X-ray, there were 36 cases with an amylase-rich pleural effusion. The amylase levels were determined by an enzyme method (Hitach 747 autoanalyzer). Results : Of the 36 patients with an amylase-rich pleural effusion, there were 18 patients(50%) associated with a malignancy, 8 patients(22%) with a parapneumonic effusion, 7 patients(19%) with pancreatic disease, and 3 patients with other causes. The amylase level in a pleural effusion due to pancreatic disease was much higher than that due to other causes(p<0.01). Among the malignant pleural effusions with high amylase levels, the origin of the malignancy was a primary lung cancer in 13 cases and metastatic lung cancer in 5 cases. The histological types of malignant causes were adenocarcinoma in 10 cases(56%), squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases(11%) and unknown type of carcinoma in 6 cases. The amylase level in the adenocarcinoma cases was much higher than that in the other cell type carcinomas(p<0.01). There was no significant association between the amylase level and the glucose level among the malignant cases with amylase-rich pleural effusion(p=0.21). Conclusion : The most frequent cause of an amylase-rich pleural effusion was a malignancy. Primary lung cancer and adenocarcinoma were the most common malignancies and histological types associated with a malignant pleural effusion with high amylase levels. The amylase level in a pleural effusion secondary to pancreatic disease was much higher than from any other causes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.3
• /
• pp.638-653
• /
• 2021

Purpose To compare the recurrence pattern, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) after curative surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in patients who underwent preoperative evaluation with CT alone or in combination with MRI, and to compare the prognosis according to the first recurrence site. Materials and Methods We retrospectively evaluated 152 patients who underwent R0 resection of PDAC. Preoperative CT or combined CT and MRI were performed for 103 and 49 patients, respectively. Two radiologists recorded the location and date of the first recurrence in consensus. The recurrence pattern, DFS, and OS were compared between the two groups. OS was analyzed according to the first recurrence site. Results In both groups, liver metastasis was the most common recurrence pattern. DFS (p = 0.247) or OS (p = 0.067) showed no significant difference between the two groups. OS according to the first recurrence site was the lowest for liver metastasis, followed by locoregional recurrence (p < 0.001). Conclusion There were no significant differences in the recurrence pattern, DFS, or OS between patients evaluated with preoperative CT alone or with CT and MRI after curative resection of PDAC. Liver metastasis was the most common tumor recurrence pattern with the lowest OS.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.331-335
• /
• 1993

From January 1981 to December 1991, forty patients with localized advanced carcinoma of the pancreas were treated at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital. The treatment protocol consisted of two split course external radiation therapy with each 2000 cGy over two weeks separated by two week rest period. Intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was administered on the first three days of each radiotherapy course. Twenty three of these patients were treated by maintenance 5-FU or FAM (5-FU, adriamycin, mitomycin) chemotherapy. Median survival was 9 months and the 2-year survival rate was $10.0\%.$ Good prognostic indicators were good performance status, palliative bypass surgery and tumor located in the head of pancreas.