• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3589-3593
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• 2012

Objective: Evaluation and assessment of response rate, duration and toxicity in patients subjected to 5-FU based chemotherapy. Background: The therapeutic ratio shifts with different 5FU/LV regimens and none yet serve as the internationally accepted Gold Standard. A bimonthly regimen of high dose leucovorin is reported to be less toxic and more effective than monthly low dose regimens. We here compare therapeutic responses and survival benefit of the two regimens in poor prognosis patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Patients and Methods: A total of 35 patients with histologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma were subjected to de Gramont and Mayo Clinic regimen. Nineteen patients were treated with high dose folinic acid ($200mg/m^2$), glucose 5%, 5-FU ($400mg/m^2$) and 22 hr. CIV ($600mg/m^2$) for two consecutive days every two weeks. These patients had failed responses to previous chemotherapy and were above sixty years of age with poor general status. Sixteen patients (six below 60 years) with progressive disease were subjected to low dose folinic acid ($20mg/m^2$)for five days, 5FU($425mg/m^2$) injection bolus for 5 days, every five weeks. An initial evaluation was made in sixty days and responders were reevaluated at sixty days interval or earlier in case of clinical impairment. Based on positive prognosis, the therapy was continued. Evaluation of treatment response was made on the basis of WHO criteria. Results: The response rate was 44% in thirty four evaluable patients, with 4 complete responses (11.8%) and 11 (32.4%) partial responses. The two schedules were well tolerated, whereas, mild toxicity without WHO Grade ${\geq}2$ events was assessed. The response duration was extended (12 months) in a few patients with age above sixty years treated by high dose bimonthly regimen of 5FU/LV. Conclusion: The regimens are safe and effective in advanced colorectal carcinoma patients with poor general status.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.119-123
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• 1990

Unexpected renal abnormality can be detected on bone scan using Tc-99m-MDP. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic significance of diffusely increased bliateral renal uptake on bone scarf. 1,500 boor scan were reviewed and 43 scans which showed diffusely increased bliateral renal uptake were selected for analysis. Laboratory findings for renal and liver function tests including routine urinalysis were reviewed in 43 patients. 26 of 43 case showed abnormality in urinalysis and renal function stud 20 of 43 cases showed abnormal liver function study and 3 of these cases were diagnosed as hepatorenal syndrome later. 13 of those 20 cases had liver cirrhosis with or without hepatoma. 12 of 43 cases showed abnormality both in renal and liver function studies. 2 of 43 cases showed diffusely increased bilateral renal uptake after chemotherapy for cancer but not on previous scans before chemotherapy. 2 of 43 cases showed hypercalcemia and 8 of 43 cases had multifocal bone uptake due to metastasis or benign bone lesion. but the latter showed no hypercalcemia at all. There was no significant correlatrion between increased renal uptake and MDP uptake in soft tissue other than kidneys. This study raised the possibility that the impaired liver and/or renal function may result in diffuse increase of bliateral renal uptake of MDP of unknown mechaninsm. It seems to need further study on this correlation.

• Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.386-395
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• 2018

Background: Previous studies on synchronous colorectal carcinoma (SCRC) have reported inconsistent results about its clinicopathologic and molecular features and prognostic significance. Methods: Forty-six patients with multiple advanced tumors (T2 or higher category) who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and who are not associated with familial adenomatous polyposis were selected and 99 tumors from them were subjected to clinicopathologic and molecular analysis. Ninety-two cases of solitary colorectal carcinoma (CRC) were selected as a control considering the distributions of types of surgeries performed on patients with SCRC and T categories of individual tumors from SCRC. Results: SCRC with multiple advanced tumors was significantly associated with more frequent nodal metastasis (p=.003) and distant metastasis (p=.001) than solitary CRC. KRAS mutation, microsatellite instability, and CpG island methylator phenotype statuses were not different between SCRC and solitary CRC groups. In univariate survival analysis, overall and recurrence-free survival were significantly lower in patients with SCRC than in patients with solitary CRC, even after adjusting for the extensiveness of surgical procedure, adjuvant chemotherapy, or staging. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that tumor multiplicity was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio, 4.618; 95% confidence interval, 2.126 to 10.030; p<.001), but not for recurrence-free survival (p=.151). Conclusions: Findings suggested that multiplicity of advanced T category-tumors might be associated with an increased risk of nodal metastasis and a risk factor for poor survival, which raises a concern about the guideline of American Joint Committee on Cancer's tumor-node-metastasis staging that T staging of an index tumor determines T staging of SCRC.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2018

Objectives. Carcinomas of the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare, and management remains challenging. Previous studies seeking prognostic factors for EAC cancers included cancers other than carcinomas. In this study, we analyzed the treatment outcomes of, prognostic factors for, and survival rates associated with specifically squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the EAC. Methods. A retrospective review of 26 consecutive patients diagnosed with SCCs of the EAC in a 10-year period was performed in terms of clinical presentation, stage, choice of surgical procedure, and adjunct therapy. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated and univariate analysis of prognostic factors was performed. Results. The median age of the 26 patients with SCCs of the EAC was 63 years (range, 40 to 72 years), and 16 males and 10 females were included. According to the modified University of Pittsburgh staging system, the T stages were T1 in 11, T2 in six, T3 in four, and T4 in five cases. The surgical procedures employed were wide excision in three cases, lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) in 17, and extended LTBR in four, and subtotal temporal bone resection in two. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and two underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient received preoperative radiation therapy, and eleven received postoperative radiation therapy. Of the possibly prognostic factors examined, advanced preoperative T stage and advanced overall stage were significant predictors of RFS, but not of OS. Conclusion. The advanced T stage and overall stage were associated with decreased survival after surgical treatment in patients with SCC of the EAC, highlighting the importance of clinical vigilance and early detection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.570-576
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• 2016

Objective : Elevated cell counts and protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) result from disease activity in patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC). Previous studies evaluated the use of CSF profiles to monitor a treatment response or predict prognosis. CSF profiles vary, however, according to the sampling site and the patient's systemic condition. We compared lumbar and ventricular CSF profiles collected before intraventricular chemotherapy for LMC and evaluated the association of these profiles with patients' systemic factors and LMC disease activity. Methods : CSF profiles were retrospectively collected from 228 patients who underwent Ommaya reservoir insertion for intraventricular chemotherapy after a diagnosis of LMC. Lumbar samples taken via lumbar puncture were used for the diagnosis, and ventricular samples were obtained later at the time of Ommaya reservoir insertion. LMC disease activity was defined as the presence of LMC-related symptoms such as increased intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus, cranial neuropathy, and cauda equina syndrome. Results : Cell counts (median : 8 vs. 1 cells/mL) and protein levels (median : 68 vs. 17 mg/dL) significantly higher in lumbar CSF than in ventricular CSF (p<0.001). Among the evaluated systemic factors, concomitant brain metastasis and previous radiation were significantly correlated with higher protein levels in the lumbar CSF (p=0.01 and <0.001, respectively). Among the LMC disease activity, patients presenting with hydrocephalus or cauda equina syndrome showed higher lumbar CSF protein level compared with that in patients without those symptoms (p=0.049 and p<0.001, respectively). The lumbar CSF cell count was significantly lower in patients with cranial neuropathy (p=0.046). The ventricular CSF cell counts and protein levels showed no correlation with LMC symptoms. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which was measured from ventricular CSF after the diagnosis in 109 patients, showed a significant association with the presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.01). Conclusion : The protein level in lumbar CSF indicated the localized disease activity of hydrocephalus and cauda equina syndrome. In the ventricular CSF, only the CEA level reflected the presence of hydrocephalus. We suggest using more specific biomarkers for the evaluation of ventricular CSF to monitor disease activity and treatment response.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.718-725
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• 2001

The implantation of malignant cells along the needle tract is an extremely rare complication after a percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy(FNAB). However, it is very serious and may result in a change in the prognosis of lung cancer, especially in the curable early stage(T1-2,N0,M0). Recently, we experienced two cases of such complications. A 43 years old female underwent a fine needle aspiration biopsy and a right middle lobectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy due to an adenocarcinoma(T2N0M0). Two years later, a new tumor developed at the site of the needle aspiraton biopsy. It had the same pathological findings as the previous lung cancer. Therefore, it was concluded to be an implantation metastasis, and she was treated successfully by a right pneumonectomy and a resection of the chest wall mass with adjuvant radiotherapy. In another case, a 62 years old man was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer by a fine needle aspiration biopsy and underwent a right upper lobectomy(T2N0M0) with adjuvant chemotherapy. eight months later, a protruding chest wall mass developed at the aspiration site. It showed the same pathological findings as the previous lung cancer. Consequently, a total excision of the mass with adjuvant radiotherapy was done. Two years after the second operation, although the right lung was intact, a metachronous squamous cell lung cancer was found at the left lower lobe. The two patients were still alive 15 and 37months after thenresection of the chest wall mass, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the point prevalence of anxiety, depression and the associated risk factors in hospitalized patients with cancer. Methods: A total of 114 patients with cancer who admitted to the Cancer Center in St. Mary's Hospital were enrolled for a day. The patients were asked to complete Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). Sociodemographic and cancer related clinical variables were also evaluated. Results: The point prevalence of anxiety and depression was 10.5% and 34.2%, respectively, as assessed with HADS. Logistic regression models revealed that distant metastasis was significantly associated with anxiety in patients with cancer and previous chemotherapy and Low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with depression. Conclusions: Our results indicate that more than one third of patients with cancer suffer from either anxiety or depression. In addition, previous chemotherapy as well as low socioeconomic status and distant metastasis were associated risk factors of anxiety and depression, respectively. These findings suggest the need for screening and systematized psychosocial intervention for psychological distress in hospitalized patients with cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.512-522
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• 2023

Cancer with unlimited cell growth is a leading cause of death globally. Various cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, can be applied alone or in combination depending on the cancer type and stage. New treatments with fewer side effects than previous cancer treatments are continually under development and in demand. Undifferentiated stem cells with unlimited cell growth are gradually changed via cellular differentiation to arrest cell growth. In this study, we reviewed the possibility of treating cancer by using cellular differentiation into the adipocytes in cancer cells. In previous in vitro studies, oral antidiabetic drugs of the thiazolidinedione (TDZ) class, such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, were induced into the adipocytes in various cancer cell lines via increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR γ) expression and glucose uptake, which is the key regulator of adipogenesis and the energy metabolism pathway. The differentiated adipogenic cancer cells treated with TDZ inhibited cell growth and had a less cellulotoxic effect. This adipogenic differentiation treatment suggests a possible chemotherapy option in cancer cells with high and abnormal glucose metabolism levels. However, the effects of the in vivo adipogenic differentiation treatment need to be thoroughly investigated in different types of stem and normal cells with other side effects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.417-422
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• 2007

Background: It is not known with certainty whether patients with persistently positive sputum smear results who have also had negative sputum culture results require prolongation of treatment for tuberculosis in order to avoid an increased risk of eventual relapse. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively describe the treatment characteristics and evaluate the appropriate duration of treatment in these patients. Methods: Sixty of 69 patients with sputum smear positive and culture negative tests at 5 months after first line anti-tuberculous chemotherapy from 2002 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion criteria included incomplete treatment or resistance to rifampicin or two additional antibiotics, as determined by a drug susceptibility test (DST). Results: Smear conversion of the study subjects was observed after $8.3{\pm}2.3$ months treatment, and the patients were culture negative after $2.0{\pm}0.8$ months. The relapse rates of the study subjects were 3.8, 10.0, and 25.8% after 1, 2, and 5 years of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, respectively. The relapse rates were not significantly affected by a series of risk factors such as age, sex, presence of diabetes, a sputum culture examination after 2 months treatment, previous treatment history, chest radiograph, and duration of the treatment (P>0.05). Conclusion: Regimen change is not required for patients with persistent smear positive but culture negative tests in the fifth month for first line antituberculous treatment. However, a further study will be needed to clarify the high relapse rate in this specific group of patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4693-4697
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• 2013

Background: Malignant transformation arising in mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is one of the most serious complications of MCT. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant change. Some clinical findings such as advanced age group and large tumor size are significant risk factors of malignant transformation. This study was conducted in order to evaluate characteristics, cell types, treatment and outcome of malignant transformation arising from dermoid cysts in our institution. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. General characteristics, operative data, procedure, operative finding and operative outcome were analyzed. Statistical assessment was performed with SPSS version 17.0, using mean, mode, median and percentage to describe those data. Results: During the 10 years period, 11 cases of malignant transformation from a total of 753 cases (1.46% incidence) of MCT were reviewed. Mean age of the patients was 41.2 years (SD 4.34, range 24-70). The most common presenting symptom was a palpable mass (8 cases; 72.7%). Primary surgical staging was performed in 4 patients (36.4%). Re-staging was conducted in the other 4. Complete cytoreduction was obtained in 45.5% (5 cases) and optimal surgical resection was obtained in 36.4% (4 cases). Mean tumor size was 14.1 cm. (SD 1.55, range 6-20). Squamous cell carcinoma was found in 36.4% (4 cases) and mucinous cancer in the other 4. More than half of them were stage Ia (54.5%, 6 cases). All patients whose stage more than Ia received chemotherapy (45.5%). Mean disease free survival was 5.53 years (1.32, 0.3-10). Conclusion: According to our study, the incidence of malignant transformation was consistent with previous studies. The common malignant transformation histologic types are both squamous and mucinous carcinoma which differed from previous reports. Early detection for early stage disease and optimal surgery are important for long term survival.