• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2237-2243
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• 2015

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in Dukes C colon cancers post-curative resection. However, the evidence for a role with Dukes B lesions remains unproven despite frequent use for disease characterized by poor prognostic features. In view of limited Asia-specific data, this study aimed to determine survival outcomes and identify prognostic factors in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A total of 116 subjects who underwent curative surgery with and without adjuvant chemotherapy for Duke B and C primary colon adenocarcinomas diagnosed from 2004-2009 were recruited and data were collected retrospectively. Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Prognostic factors were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression with both univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The survival analysis demonstrated a 5-year OS of 74.0% for all patients, with 74.9% for Dukes C subjects receiving chemotherapy compared to 28.6% in those not receiving chemotherapy (p=0.001). For Dukes B disease, the 5-year survival rate was 82.6% compared to 75.0% for subjects receiving and not receiving chemotherapy, respectively (p=0.17). Independent prognostic factors identified included a CEA level more than 3.5 ng/ml (hazard ratio (HR)=4.78; p=0.008), serosal involvement (HR=3.75; p=0.028) and completion of chemotherapy (HR= 0.20; p=0.007). Conclusions: In a regional context, this study supports current evidence from the West that adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in Dukes C colon cancers post curative surgery. However, although a clear benefit has yet to be proven for Dukes B disease, our results suggest survival improvement in selected cases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.166-170
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• 2015

Background: Primary warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a relatively rare hematologic disorder resulting from autoantibody production against red blood cells. There has been very few studies about primary warm AIHA in South Korea because of its low incidence. We retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcome of primary warm AIHA. Method: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 9 primary warm AIHA patients from December 2002 to January 2015. We analyzed the causes and clinical characteristics of primary warm AIHA patients. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data in electronic medical records for 9 Korean patients with AIHA patients who were diagnosed during the period from December 2002 to January 2015 at the Regional University Hospital in Korea. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB #2015-08-007, Chosun University Hospital IRB). Results: The mean age was 52 years (range 27~78), the mean hemoglobin level was 5.0 g/dL (range 2.5~6.4 g/dL). All patients received steroids at therapeutic dosages (corticosteroid 1 mg/Kg) as first line treatment. Eight of them showed complete response (5/8, 62.5%) and partial response (3/8, 37.5%), one patient required second-line treatment with rituximab. Two patients who responded first line treatment were relapsed at 86 weeks and 24 weeks after response, respectively. Only one patient of them was retreated with corticosteroid because of anemic symptoms. Conclusion: This study indicates that oral corticosteroid is an effective therapy for primary warm AIHA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6285-6288
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• 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to outline the trend in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), for comparison with previously published national CRC data. Materials and Methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed on all cases of CRC diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2006 amongst Saudi patients in Jeddah using data retrieved from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR). Descriptive analysis was performed and results were compared to national CRC data from the SCR. Results: In Jeddah, 644 cases of CRC were diagnosed during the time period, accounting for 15% of all CRC cases in KSA. Males were more commonly affected than females (58% versus 42%). The male preponderance of CRC was similar to that observed at a national level. In Jeddah, the incidence was higher among those >45 years (77.0%), and the mean age at diagnosis was 57 years. At diagnosis, 10% of patients presented with localized disease; 25% presented with distant metastasis and the remaining patients had various stages of regional extension. Adenocarcinomas accounted for 72% of cases. Statistical analysis did not reveal any clinically significant differences between cases diagnosed in Jeddah and those diagnosed throughout KSA. Conclusions: The increased trend in the incidence of CRC in Jeddah between 2000 and 2006 mirrors the recent trend in KSA. This highlights the magnitude of this healthcare hazard, not only in Jeddah, but also across the country and supports the need for preventive measures and early detection of the disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6067-6072
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• 2012

Background: Breast cancer in developing countries is on the rise. There are currently no guidelines to screen women at risk in India. Since mammography in the western world is a well-accepted screening tool to prevent late presentation of breast cancer and improve mortality, it is intuitive to adopt mammography as a screening tool of choice. However, it is expensive and fraught with logistical issues in developing countries like India. Materials and Methods: Our breast cancer screening camp was done at a local district hospital in India after approval from the director and administrators. After initial training of local health care workers, a one-day camp was held. Clinical breast examination, mammograms, as well as diagnostic evaluation with ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy were utilized. Results: Out of total 68 women screened only 2 women with previous history of breast cancer were diagnosed with breast cancer recurrence. None of the women in other groups were diagnosed with breast cancer despite suspicious lesions either on clinical exam, mammogram or ultrasound. Most suspicious lesions were fibroadenomas. The average cost of screening women who underwent mammography, ultrasound and fine needle aspiration was $30 dollars, whereas it was $16 in women who had simple clinical breast examination. Conclusions: Local camps act as catalysts for women to seek medical attention or discuss with local health care workers concerns of discovering new lumps or developing breast symptoms. Our camp did diagnose recurrence of breast cancer in two previously treated breast cancer patients, who were promptly referred to a regional cancer hospital. Further studies are needed in countries like India to identify the best screening tool to decrease the presentation of breast cancer in advanced stages and to reduce mortality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6573-6578
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• 2013

Background: The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient characteristics, treatment modalities and prognostic factors in Turkish patients with pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 1997 and December 2012, 64 patients who presented to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were evaluated. The E/K ratio of the cases was 2.4/1 and the median age was 59.6 (32-80) years, respectively. Some 11 cases (18%) were stage 1, 21 (34.4%) were stage 2, 10 (16.4%) were stage 3, and 19 (31.1%) were metastatic. Results: The mean follow-up time was 15.7 months (0.7-117.5) and loco-regional recurrence was noted in 11 (40.7%) who underwent surgery while metastases were observed in 41 patients (66.1%). The median overall survival (OS) was 11.2 months and the 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates were 41.7%, 9.9% and 7.9% respectively. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 5.2 month and the1, 2 and 5 year DFS were 22.6%, 7.6% and 3.8% respectively. On univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting OS included status of the operation (p<0.001), tumor stage (p=0.008), ECOG performance status (p=0.005) and CEA level (p=0.017).On multivariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting survival included status of the operation (p=0.033) and age (p= 0.023). Conclusions: In the current study, age and operation status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival with pancreatic patients. Thus, the patients early diagnosis and treatment ars essential. However, prospective studies with more patients are needed for confirmation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.482-492
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• 2012

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with data on vulnerable areas such as industrial complexes in Ulsan, SihwaBanwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang, Cheongju and Daesan in Korea. Methods: This study was performed on 1,007 local residents in Gangneung using personal questionnaires and medical check-up. Environmental pollutants including heavy metals in blood and urine were analyzed and the results are as follows. Results: According to the results of medical check-up, 705 subjects were "Normal (A and B)", 232 subjects were "Disease doubtful (R1)" and 70 subjects were "High blood pressure or Diabetes doubtful (R2)". Regarding geometric mean concentration, blood lead was 1.57 ${\mu}g/dL$, urine cadmium was 0.82 ${\mu}g/g-cr$, urine mercury was 0.98 ${\mu}g/g-cr$ and urine arsenic was 15.78 ${\mu}g/g-cr$. In the analysis of 11 kinds of VOCs in blood, vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene and dichloroethylene were not detected, while the detection rate of other chemicals was above 70% except chloroform(49.7%) and trichloroethylene(19.0%). In analysis of 16 kinds of PAHs in blood, 10 kinds showed more than 80% in detection rate. Also, detection rate of 4 kinds of PCBs in blood ranged 52 to 78%. Conclusions: Compared with industrial compelxes, the concentration of blood lead was lower, while urine cadmium and mercury levels were similar. Also, urine arsenic ranged at a significant level. Further study is required to find the cause of regional differences in concentrations of environmental pollutants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5299-5303
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• 2014

Background: To explore etiology for providing scientific clues for the prevention of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Data for lung cancer incidence and meteorological geographic factors from 25 counties in Zhejiang province of China during 2011 were studied. Stepwise multiple regression and correlation analysis were performed to analyze the geographic distribution and epidemiology of lung cancer. Results: 8,291 new cases (5,998 in males and 2,293 females) of lung cancer during 2011 in Zhejiang province were reported in the 25 studied counties. Reported and standardized incidence rates for lung cancer were 58.0 and 47.0 per 100,000 population, respectively. The incidence of lung cancer increased with age. Geographic distribution analysis shows that the standardized incidence rates of lung cancer in northeastern Zhejiang province were higher than in the southwestern part, such as in Nanhu, Fuyang, Wuxing and Yuyao counties, where the rates were more than 50 per 100,000 population. In the southwestern Zhejiang province, for instance, in Yueqing, Xianju and Jiande counties, the standardized incidence rates of lung cancer were lower than 37 per 100,000 population. Spearman correlation tests showed that forest coverage rate, air quality index (AQI), and annual precipitation level are associated with the incidence of lung cancer. Conclusions: Lung cancer in Zhejiang province shows obvious regional differences. High incidence appears associated with low forest coverage rate, poor air quality and low annual precipitation. Therefore, increasing the forest coverage rate and controlling air pollution may play an important role in lung cancer prevention.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-122
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• 2006

As we encounter the global and localized era, the development operations on a regional level are in active promotion. This manuscript has been completed with the purpose of probing for course of action in lifelong learning movement in terms of activating and developing of local communities. For this, the comparative analysis of practiced cases in America's community school movement, Japan's movement for establishing lifelong learning village and Sweden's study circle movement have been made. For the analytical frame of the comparison, the actual results on background of promotion, themes for practice, details of practice, methods for practice of local community centered lifelong learning movement have been applied. As a result of analysis, the local community centered lifelong learning movement has been promoted to break each country's social and economic crisis and to activate the local community. The promotion of each operation has been accomplished with the support of specific organization and the participants were the citizens of the local community. Also, the details of practice are composed of operating the people-centered lifelong learning program, cooperative learning by local citizens and local community realization activity. The details of education is closely related with the life of learners. Therefore, the lifelong movement for the activation of local community hereafter should be promoted based on the coherence of local community, should be able to contain the actual life of the citizens and should be practiced as a process of forming the lifelong learning group at concerned local community through a democratic learning process.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2015

In this study, we try to quantify resident's conflict by rural development project based on previous researches about community capacities required for residents and social networks in rural village for suggesting efficient project model. we analyzed conflict elements in six category such as 'conflict in residents', 'conflict in residents and leaders', 'conflict in leaders', 'conflict in villages', 'conflict in development fund', 'conflict in village by common income project'. These results also analyzed by personal background(age, role, education, income) of respondent in questionary survey. Results show that 'conflict in residents and leaders', 'conflict in leaders', 'conflict in development fund' are perceived differently by age, role, education, and income in 5% significance level. Especially, relatively young age(below 40 years old) expressed clearly about conflict and high scored in item of 'residents and leaders'. Regression model show statistical significance(F=39.807, P=0.000) in influence relation analysis of conflict, network, leadership, and project fund. In this model, network ${\beta}=-0.237$, leadership ${\beta}=-0.375$, project fund ${\beta}=-0.000$ show network and leadership have negative relation to conflict but project fund is difficult to find relation with conflict. In this study, we defined social vulnerability using conflict, network, and leadership and verified the vulnerability of rural village applying regional community capacity in analysis results; vulnerability increased by the size of region and show inverse correlation to future vision of residents.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2018

This study is a basic research for the development of 'Marginal Village Policy' in response to the hollowing-out of rural areas. For this purpose, the viewpoint of "Regeneration" & "Reconstruction" of the "Marginal Village Theory" and the recent "Rural Planning Theory of Evacuation" in Japan were reviewed. The background and trends of Marginal Village policy in Japan were also investigated. And based on this, the implications and future tasks for Korea were summarized as follows; (1)It is necessary to be interested in the disappearance of villages and marginal villages and to form positive discussions and social consensus. (2)Continuous field investigation and management of changes in population and village functions at regional and village level are required. (3)In addition to increasing the importance of depopulation problems, it is necessary to establish 'marginal villages' as a public policy target. (4)It is necessary to review and consider the viewpoint of reconstruction along with regeneration. (5)It is necessary to pay attention that the software project is expanded, and the regeneration & reconstruction policies of the rural villages are aimed at revitalizing the rural community. (6)It is necessary to consider the possibility of applying 'spacial construction' along with the expansion of the academic debate on the 'rural planning theory of evacuation'. On the basis of this, in this study, rural villages were classified into 'continuous villages', 'semi-marginal villages' and 'marginal villages' according to the degree of marginalization, and the basic framework of 'Marginal Village Policy' was proposed, which is to encourage the differentiated policies of 'continuous villages' by 'rural village policy', 'semi-marginal villages' and 'marginal villages' by 'marginal village policy'.