• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.10
• /
• pp.4989-4992
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Guide-wire localization (GWL) has been a standard technique for many years. Excision of nonpalpable malignant breast lesions with clear surgical margins reduces the risk of undergoing re-excision. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of GWL biopsy for assessing surgical margins. Methods: This retrospective study concerned 53 patients who underwent GWL biopsy for non-palpable breast lesions and breast carcinoma diagnosed by histological examination. Age of the patients, tumour size, radiographic findings, breast density specifications, specimen volumes, menopausal status and family history of the patients and surgical margin status were recorded. Results: Median age was 53.3 years, median tumour size was 1.5 cm and median specimen volume was $71.5cm^3$. In fifteen patients (28%) DCIS and in 38 patients (72%) invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed. There was positive surgical margins in twenty eight (52.8%) patients. The median distance to the nearest surgical margin was 7.2 mm in clear surgical margins. Younger age and denser breast specifications were found as statistically significant factors for surgical margin status. Median age of the patients who had positive margins was 49.4 years where it was 56.9 years in the patients with negative margins (p=0.04). 79% of the patients with positive margins had type 3-4 pattern breast density according to BIRADS classification as compared to 48% in the patients who had negative margins (p=0.03). Some 38 patients who had positive or close surgical margins received re-excision (72%). Conclusion: Positive margin rates may be higher because of inherent biological differences and diffuse growth patterns in younger patients. There are also technical difficulties that are relevant to denser fibroglandular tissue in placing hooked wire. High re-excision rates must be taken into consideration while performing GWL biopsy in non-palpable breast lesions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.1035-1039
• /
• 2014

Aim: To evaluate the operative, oncologic and obstetric outcomes of the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in cases with cervical neoplasia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who were suspected of cervical neoplasia and therefore undergoing LEEP at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, during 1995-2000. Outcome measures included operative complications in 407 LEEP patients and long-term outcomes in the 248 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) who were treated with only LEEP. Results: There were 407 patients undergoing LEEP; their mean age was $39.7{\pm}10.5$ years. The histopathology of LEEP specimens revealed that 89 patients (21.9%) had lesions ${\leq}CIN$ I, 295 patients (72.5%) had CIN II or III, and 23 patients (5.6%) had invasive lesions. Operative complications were found in 15 patients and included bleeding (n=9), and infection (n=7). After diagnostic LEEP, 133 patients underwent hysterectomy as the definite treatment for cervical neoplasia. Of 248 CIN patients who had LEEP only, seven (2.8%) had suffered recurrence after a median of 16 (range 6-93) months; one had CIN I, one had CIN II, and five had CIN III. All of these recurrent patients achieved remission on surgical treatment with re-LEEP (n=6) or simple hysterectomy (n=1). A significant factor affecting recurrent disease was the LEEP margin involved with the lesion (p=0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) estimates of 99.9%. Twelve patients became pregnant a total of 14 times, resulting in 12 term deliveries and two miscarriages - one of which was due to an incompetent cervix. Conclusions: LEEP for patients with cervical neoplasia delivers favorable surgical, oncologic and obstetric outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2 s.70
• /
• pp.205-212
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Combined treatment (CT) of oriental herbal medicine and prescribed drugs is now being increasingly used among cancer patients around the world. However, in Korea, clinical information on the frequency, efficacy and safety of CT among cancer patients has not yet been thoroughly reported. This study aimed to identify the status and adverse effects of CT for the management of cancer patients. Methods : A questionnaire and medical record survey by oriental medical doctors or physicians were performed at two oriental medical hospitals and one general hospital. Of the initial 400 in-patients, 368 participated in this survey, representing a response rate of 92.0%. Results : Among cancer patients in oriental medical hospitals, the proportion of CT was 45.9%. In contrast, the proportion of CT in the general hospital was only 0.6%. The proportion of CT among breast cancer patients (20) and gastric cancer patients (35) were 85.0% and 51.4%, respectively. The proportion of CT among cancer patients was high in younger, female or married patients groups. 10 respondents (11.1%) among 90 cancer patients experienced several adverse effects including nausea, fatigue, etc. Conclusions : This study suggests that many more patients in oriental medical hospitals than general hospitals use combined treatment of oriental herbal medicine and prescribed drugs for management of cancer. Therefore, medical professionals should provide comprehensive and up-to-date clinical information about potential benefits and risks of CT to cancer patients in Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.512-523
• /
• 2002

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional status, biochemical parameters, lipid and electrolytes concentrations of the enteral nutrition patients according to the duration of enteral nutrition. Eighteen neurosurgery patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) at K University Hospital were subjected in this study. The duration of enteral nutrition was classified into under or over six month of period. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary assessments were performed. Patients' intakes of energy and protein were insufficient, from 82% to 95% of their requirements. Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and mid-am muscle area (MAMA) were significantly lower in patients over six months of enteral nutrition than those in patients under six months. The subjects were malnourished as indicated by nutrition-related parameters such as hemoglobin, albumin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), tricep skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), MAMC, and MAMA. Serum chloride level of the patients eve, six months of enteral nutrition was lower (94.7 $\pm$ 3.4 mmo1/1) significantly as compared to that of patients (99.3 $\pm$ 3.5 mmol/ 1) under six months. Urinary sodium and chloride levels were lower in the longer time of enteral nutrition patients than those of shorter period of enteral nutrition patients (p < .05). While serum phospholipid level was higher in the patients over six months of enteral nutrition, other blood biochemical parameters and electrolyte concentrations did not show any differences with the duration of enteral nutrition. Neurosurgery patients in the ICU undergoing long-term enteral nutrition tube-feeding were malnourished and had a variety of metabolic complications. The duration of enteral nutrition could affect the patients' nutritional status, biochemical parameters, and electrolytes balance. The patients who require nutritional support over an extended time need the continuous follow-up care and monitoring by the nutrition support team for laboratory, clinical, and nutritional assessments.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.269-273
• /
• 2013

Objective : Posture induced common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy is usually produced during the prolonged squatting or habitual leg crossing while seated, especially in Asian culture and is manifested by the onset of foot drop. Because of its similarity to discogenic foot drop, patients may be diagnosed with a lumbar disc disorder, and in some patients, surgeons may perform unnecessary examinations and even spine surgery. The purpose of our study is to establish the clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment of posture induced CPN palsy. Methods : From June 2008 to June 2012, a retrospective study was performed on 26 patients diagnosed with peroneal nerve palsy in neurophysiologic study among patients experiencing foot drop after maintaining a certain posture for a long time. Results : The inducing postures were squatting (14 patients), sitting cross-legged (6 patients), lying down (4 patients), walking and driving. The mean prolonged neural injury time was 124.2 minutes. The most common clinical presentation was foot drop and the most affected sensory area was dorsum of the foot with tingling sensation (14 patients), numbness (8 patients), and burning sensation (4 patients). The clinical improvement began after a mean 6 weeks, which is not related to neural injury times. Electrophysiology evaluation was performed after 2 weeks later and showed delayed CPN nerve conduction study (NCS) in 24 patients and deep peroneal nerve in 2 patients. Conclusion : We suggest that an awareness of these clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment methods may help clinicians make a diagnosis of posture induced CPN palsy and preclude unnecessary studies or inappropriate treatment in foot drop patients.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.488-496
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for diabetic patients in Busan. The subjects were 227 patients at two general hospitals (over 400 bed). This study was performed through the interviewing process using questionnaires conducted from January to April, 2010. Of a total of subjects, 109 patients (48.0%) had taken CAM at least one time. The patients used CAM recognized that they were 'auxiliary medicines' (39.4%), 'supplementary health foods' (32.1%) and 'medicines' (19.3%), but inexperienced patients perceived them as 'supplementary health foods' (29.6%), 'unscientific treatment' (22.6%) and 'medicines' (20.2%), It was significantly different between two groups of patients (p < 0.001). The number of CAM types used for the patients was 51. The CAM types were plant foods (64.3%), dietary supplement (23.6%) and animal diets (12.1%). The patients used an average of 5.9 different kinds of CAM and an average of 3.8 years them and paid \93,345 per month. The patients with diabetic complications and for longer morbidity periods used CAM for significantly (p < 0.05) longer periods. The mean effectiveness scores of the patients used CAM were 3.31/5.00 for efficacy satisfaction, 3.58/5.00 for fewer side effects compared to those of oral drugs, 3.60/5.00 for psychological stability, 3.81/5.00 for easiness to use, and 3.06/5.00 for economic satisfaction. Of the patients that used CAM, 55.9% did not consult with doctors about CAM. More than two-thirds of the patients (77.1%) did not feel the need to consult with doctors.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.280-285
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Nowadays, non-operative management increases in patients with blunt splenic injury due to development of diagnostic and interventional technique. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the management in patients with blunt splenic injury and effect of clinical state such as shock on the choice of management. Methods: From April 2007 to July 2013, we retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of fifty patients who had splenic injury after blunt trauma. The demographic characteristics, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade of splenic injury, management method (emergency operation, angiographic embolization or observation) and clinical outcome were analyzed. Results: The mean age was $41.5{\pm}21.4$ years and male was 44(88%). Twenty patients(40%) were in shock condition initially and five patients(10%) underwent emergency operation due to hemodynamic instability. Emergency angiographic embolization was performed in 20 patients(40%) and 25 patients were managed conservatively. When patients were divided into shock group (SG) and non-shock group (NSG), Patients in SG had significantly higher serum lactate level and base deficit than NSG (lactate; $4.5{\pm}3.4$ mmol/L, base deficit; $5.8{\pm}4.4$ mmol/L vs $1.9{\pm}1.4$ mmol/L, $2.8{\pm}2.5$ mmol/L, p=0.007, p=0.013). There was no significant difference of AAST grade and contrast blush rate in abdomen CT between two groups. Among 45 patients with non-operative management, four patients(8.9%) got delayed angiographic embolization and 3 patient died from companied organ injury. Conclusion: Non-operative management can be acceptable management option in patients with splenic blunt trauma under intensive hemodynamic monitoring.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2012

Purpose: To evaluate outcome and morbidity in patients with vulvar cancer treated with radiotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy or postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The records of 24 patients treated with radiotherapy for vulvar cancer between July 1993 and September 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received once daily 1.8-4 Gy fractions external beam radiotherapy to median 51.2 Gy (range, 19.8 to 81.6 Gy) on pelvis and inguinal nodes. Seven patients were treated with primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy, one patient was treated with primary radiotherapy alone, four patients received palliative radiotherapy, and twelve patients were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Results: Twenty patients were eligible for response evaluation. Response rate was 55% (11/20). The 5-year disease free survival was 42.2% and 5-year overall survival was 46.2%, respectively. Fifty percent (12/24) experienced with acute skin complications of grade III or more during radiotherapy. Late complications were found in 8 patients. 50% (6/12) of patients treated with lymph node dissection experienced severe late complications. One patient died of sepsis from lymphedema. However, only 16.6% (2/12) of patients treated with primary radiotherapy developed late complications. Conclusion: Outcome of patients with vulvar cancer treated with radiotherapy showed relatively good local control and low recurrence. Severe late toxicities remained higher in patients treated with both node dissection and radiotherapy.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2006

Purpose: This study evaluated clinical results, and recommended treatment protocol of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in the patients older than 60 years of age. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with first traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation aged over 60 years were included. The average age was 69.4 (range, 60 to 87 years). There were 8 men (average age of 71.6) and 30 women (average age of 69). Most common cause of injuries was a fall on the outstretched hand. The additional injuries were evaluated using MRI or CT arthrogram in the patients with significant pain and weakness while movements after 2 weeks sling immobilization. Results: Fifteen patients (39%) had rotator cuff tears and 5 patients (14%) had greater tuberosity fractures. The sizes of rotator cuff tears were diverse; 2 partial tears, 1 small tear, 4 medium tears, 3 large tears and 5 massive tears. Among 5 massive cuff tears, 3 patients revealed cuff arthropathy after reduction. 4 patients (11%) had recurrent dislocation more than one time during 1 month after the first dislocation. Bankart lesions revealed in 5 patients and three of them had associated rotator cuff tears. 3 out of 5 patients with Bankart lesions, 13 out of 15 patients with rotator cuff tears and 3 patients with displaced greater tuberosity fracture had operations. Conclusion: The injury mechanism of shoulder dislocation in patients older than 60 years of age seems to have either anterior or posterior mechanism. The diagnosis and treatment should be approached 2 weeks after dislocation.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.169-173
• /
• 2008

Purpose：This is a retrospective study to evaluate the results of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Material and Methods：From Mar 2000 to June 2005, 18 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma completed planned concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Stages were I in 1 patients, II in 2 patients, III in 7 patients and IV in 8 patients. Pathologic type was squamous cell carcinoma(WHO type 1) in 2 patients, non-keratinizing type(WHO type 2) in 8 patients and undifferetiated carcinoma(WHO type 3) in 8 patients. The follow up period ranged from 30 months to 95 months with a median of 56 months. Follow up was possible in all patients. Results：Response to concurrent chemoradiation therapy was a complete response in all patients. Patterns of failure were as follows：local recurrence in only one patient(5.6%) and distant metastases in three patients with N3 diseases(16.7%). The overall 5 year survival rates were 88.5%, the 5 year disease free survival rate was 77% and these were very good results. There were no significant differences in the local control and survival rates between the clinical stages and pathologic types. Conclusion：The outcome of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy was very good, even though most of the patients(15/18=83.3%) were in stage III and IV diseases. We concluded that concurrrent chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma showed the good local control and survival rates without significant complications. In the patients with N3 disease, we have to consider the more effective and strong chemotherapeutic regimens to prevent distant metastases.