• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2006

Purpose: We wanted to determine the clinical characteristics and prognosis according to the VEGF expression in stage II cervical carcinoma patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 31 patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer from 1995 to 2003 at Samsung Medical Center and their paraffin block tissue samples were available for study. The median age of the patients was 65 years. The mean tumor size was 4.1 cm $(range:\;1.2{\sim}8.2cm)$. Seven patients (22.6%) were suspected of having pelvic lymph node metastasis. An external beam irradiation dose of 45-56.4 Gy was administered to the whole pelvis with a 15 MV linear accelerator, and an additional 24 Gy was given to point A by HDR intracavitary brachytherapy. VEGF staining was defined as positive when more than 10% of the tumor cells were stained. The median follow-up duration was 58 months. Results: A positive VEGF expression was observed in 21 patients (67.7%), There was no significant correlation between the VEGF expression and pelvic lymph node metastasis, tumor size and the response of radiotherapy. During follow-up, 7 patients had recurrence. The complete response rate was not significant between the VEGF(-) and VEGF(+) tumors. However, the VEGF(+) tumors showed a significantly higher recurrence rate in comparison with the VEGF(-) tumors (p=0.040), The three year disease-free survival rates were 100% and 66.7%, respectively, for patients with VEGF(-) or VEGF(+) tumor (p=0.047), Conclusion: The VEGF expression was a significant factor for recurrence and disease-free survival. However, the significance of the VEGF expression is still controversial because of the various definitions of VEGF expression and the mismatches of the clinical data in the previous studies.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Purpose : This study is designed to compare two parameters reflecting $^{18}F$-FDG uptake, SUV and radioactivity, for diagnosis of thyroid cancer in dual time $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging and to find which parameter is more useful to decide whether the tumor is malignant or not. Materials and Methods : We performed retrospective study for 40 patients. All patients are diagnosed as primary thyroid cancer and examined $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT. First, we got the dispersion of scattering beam of neck and lung apex to set a background and compared each dispersion, mean value, standard deviation of maxSUV and radioactivity. Also, mean maxSUV, ${\Delta}maxSUV$, ${\Delta}maxBq$/ml(%) and radioactivity between groups according to lesion's size based on biopsy are compared with independent-sample t-test. Results : the values that were from maxSUV and radioactivity measurement technique were compensated and calculated to practical values for mean comparison and patients were divided to two groups based on tumor size, Group1 ($size{\leq}1$ cm, n=21), Group2 (size>1 cm, n=19) for accurate comparison. In Group1, maxSUV (semi-quantitative analysis) was increased from $5.64{\pm}5.85$ (1.89~17.84) at first image to $5.90{\pm}5.01$ (1.95~18.22) at second image and radioactivity (Bq/ml) (quantitative analysis) showed similar increase from $5.93{\pm}6.38$ (2.50~16.75) at first image to $6.01{\pm}5.25$ (2.66~16.58) at second image. In Group2, TFmaxSUV was $10.54{\pm}14.36$ (2.54~33.89) in true first image, TSmaxSUV was $9.85{\pm}12.88$ (2.62~26.20) in true second image separately. The maxSUV showed a significant difference in the mean comparison between the two groups (p=0.035) But, mean radioactivity (Bq/ml) was $5.93{\pm}6.38$ (4.81~40.99) in true first image, $6.01{\pm}5.25$ (4.51~36.93) in true second image and didn't show a significant difference statistically (p=0.126) Conclusion : In diagnosis of thyroid tumor, SUV and radioactivity depending on $^{18}F$-FDG uptake showed high similarity with coefficient of determination (R2=0.939) and malignant evaluation results using dual time also showed similar aspect. Radioactivity for evaluation of malignant tumor didn't show better specificity or sensitivity than maxSUV.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2005

Purpose : In the radiosurgery, to obtain CT image to find more accurate tumor position during respiration, and using them, to increase the accuracy of radiation treatment by applying image guided. Materials and Methods : Using the self-made vacuum cushion for the body SRS, CT images were obtained three for each patient during respiration (shallow, inhalation, exhalation). They were transformed to the RTP computer and then were fused. Global GTVs were delineated on the fused images and more appropriated treatment planning was established. Results : We can find the tumor position is moving toward cranio-caudal with max 10 mm margin and volume is transformed. As a result from the comparision of DVH (pre & post radio surgery), we observed about 100% dose to tumor. Conclusion : BSRS was skeptical due to the tumor movement during respiration. More accurate by the combination of the development of immobilization devices and BSRS based on Image Guide, it will be applied to more cases for BSRS.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.345-352
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the treatment results and prognostic factors after radiotherapy in stage IIB uterine cervix cancer. Materials and methods : We retrospectively analyzed the records of 90 patients with stage IIB uterine cervix cancer who received radiotherapy between 9/94 and 12/99. Age was ranged from 28 to 79 years (median 57). Tumor size was $\geq4\;cm$ in 64 patients. Preteatment SCC level was measured in 75 patients. Twenty nine patients received conventional radiotherapy (QD) and the others received modified hyper-fractionated radiotherapy (BID). Only 7 patients in BID had tumor size <4 cm. All patients received high dose rate brachytherapy $(4\;Gy\times7\;or\;5\;Gy\times6)$. No Patient received concurrent chemotherapy during radiotherapy. Follow up period was ranging from 9 to 76 months (median 38). Results : The 5-year overall and disease free survival rates were $73.4\%\;and\;71.6\%$, respectively. Local recurrences occurred in $10\%$ of patients, and distant metastasis in $18.9\%$. There was a significant correlation between OS/DFS and tumor size $(<4cm;\;OS\;95.2\%,\;DFS\;91.4\%,\;\geq4cm;\;OS\;63.4\%,\;DFS\;63.4\%)$. Pretreatment SCC level was one of prognostic factors only in univariate analysis. Conclusion : With modified hyperfractionated radiotherapy, there was very low local recurrence rate $(6.6\%)$ and high 5-year overall and disease free survival rate $(75.4\%\;and\;70.5\%)$, which is comparable to results after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in bulky, locally advanced stage IIB uterine cervix cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2010

Purpose: $^{99m}Tc$-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy was known for useful method to evaluate patients receiving intraarterial chemotherapy for liver cancer. This study evaluate about usefulness of normal liver on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from HCC patients. This study is to see the usefullness of Hepatic Arterial Perfusion Scintigraphy (HAPS) by measuring mass size, shape, lung shunting and tumor to normal ratio (T/N ratio) in relative blood stream of HCC patients compared with HCC on normal liver. Materials and Methods: From June 2009 to September 2009, HAPS studies were performed on 7 patients (men 6, women 1, mean 64) who were diagnosed HCC. HAPS was performed after proper hepatic artery $^{99m}Tc$-MAA of 5 mCi (185 MBq) injection by catheter. We performed anterior, posterior, both lateral view, SPECT of chest and abdomen. Then we set up ROI and calculated lung shunting, T/N ratio for each count, count/pixel (mean value). Results: Tumor and liver size analyzed by ROI of anterior, posterior view are 2.0-10.8 cm (mean 3.75 cm), 8.8-18.5 cm (mean 14.6 cm). T/N ratio analyzed by total tumor and total normal mean value are 2.41-5.76 (mean 3.8). lung shunting analyzed by total liver count is 3.14-13.92% (mean 6.77%). Conclusion: HAPS with $^{99m}Tc$-MAA can evaluate mass size, location, quantitative analysis through T/N ratio. also HAPS can evaluate detection of arteriovenous shunt through lung uptake before radioisotope therapy. Therefore HAPS with $^{99m}Tc$-MAA can be useful method in aspect of evaluation and treatment of HCC.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.139-145
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• 2006

Purpose: Although several chemotherapy regimens used against advanced gastric cancer (AGC) have been studied extensively in an attempt to further improve the prognosis of patients, to date, no standard chemo-therapeutic regimens have been established. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-tumor efficacy and safety of TS-1 or TS-1 plus cisplatin (CDDP). Material and Methods: We treated 78 patients with AGC either with $80\;mg/m^{2}$ of TS-1 for 28 days, which was followed by a 2-week rest, or with $80\;mg/m^{2}$ of TS-1 for 21 days and $80\;mg/m^{2}$ of CDDP on day 8 every 5 weeks. Results: Tumor response rates in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and in the recurrent or post-palliative surgery group were 87.5% and 32.4%, respectively, and they were 28.6% and 48.4%, respectively, in the TS-1 group and the TS-1 plus CDDP group. The survival rates in the recurrent and the post-palliative surgery group were significantly different according to the degree of tumor response (P=0.0016), but the one-year survival rates according to the kinds of regimens (TS-1 or TS-1/CDDP group) were not significantly different. The incidences of grade 3 or 4 adverse effects in the TS-1 and the TS-1/CDDP groups were 14.3% and 36.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The anti-tumor efficacy and safety of TS-1 and TS-1 plus CDDP in Korean patients with AGC seemed to be high with modest adverse effects, thus suggesting the possible use of this regimen as a standard chemotherapy for gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the antimetastatic and immunomodulating effects of extracts of Ulmus davidiana extracts(U. D. Ex.). Methods: Antimetastatic experiments were conducted in vitro and in vivo by using colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, L5178Y-R lymphoma cell and Hela cell. To observe the immunomodulating effects of U. D. Ex., we measured IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-$\alpha$ from peritoneal macrophages. And we evaluated the activation of NK cell by using anti-asialo-GM1 serum. Results: We found that the administration of U. D. Ex. significantly inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis, cell growth are closer to 100% in case of Colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, L5178Y-R lymphoma cell and Hela cell at low concentration. In case of macrophage, cell proliferation is closer to 100% less than $250{\mu}g/ml$ of U. D. Ex.. The level of cytokine such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 which stimulates U. D. Ex. was increased in dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. In case of TNF-$\alpha$, the level was increased at concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/ml$. The depletion of NK cells by anti-asialo GM1 serum partly abolished the inhibitory effect of U. D. Ex. on tumor metastasis. Conclusion: Ulmus davidiana appears to have considerable activity on the anti-metastasis by activation the immune system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2003

Purpose: To evaluate the long term significance of the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen (Ag) as a tumor marker in uterine cervix carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The SCC antigen levels of pre-radiotherapy and serial post-radiotherapy serum were analyzed in 48 patients who received radiotherapy with histologically proven primary SCC of the uterine cervix. Results: Pre-radiotherapy SCC Ag level was high ($\geq$2 ng/ml) at 79.2$\%$. After the treatment, the SCC Ag level was significantly decreased. The SCC Ag level measured at about 3 months after radiotherapy was high at 23.0$\%$. In further follow up measurements, a rise of the SCC Ag to a high level was well associated with clinical relapse. The specificity of the elevated SCC Ag level in association with recurrent or persistent disease was 100$\%$, and the sensitivity was 85.7$\%$. In 3 of 4 lung metastasis cases, lung lesions were detected in chest PA before elevation of the SCC Ag level. The median lead time of the high SCC Ag level to clinical recurrence was 4 months. Conclusion: SCC Ag was a good tumor marker for monitoring treatment effect in patients with increased pre-treatment levels except in case of early lung metastasis. Elevation of the SCC Ag level after radiotherapy accurately predicted the treatment failure with lead time of 4 months. But, in early lung metastasis cases, the SCC level may be normal temporarily. Thus, chest PA should be checked to evaluate the presence of lung metastasis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2008

Purpose: Gastric cancer is the most common malignant tumor in Korea. We reviewed the cases at our institution to identify the survival rates and clarify the prognostic factors of patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 6,918 patients who had received a diagnosis of gastric cancer, and they underwent surgery at Korea Cancer Center Hospital during a 15-year period from 1991 to 2005. Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was 66.8%. The univariate analysis revealed that age, location of tumor, gross type of tumor, the histology according to the WHO classification, the Lauren classification, depth of invasion (T stage), lymph node metastasis (N stage), distant metastasis (M stage), the type of surgery, the UICC TNM stage, postoperative complications, adjuvant chemotherapy, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion and perineural invasion were the significantly different factors of the survival rates. The multivariate analysis revealed that age, Borrmann type 4, the histology according to the WHO classification, depth of invasion (T stage), lymph node metastasis (N stage), distant metastasis (M stage), the type of surgery, UICC TNM stage, postoperative complications, adjuvant chemotherapy and lymphatic invasion were the independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: We have shown a statistically significant association between the survival rates after operation for gastric cancer and the clinicopathologic factors. Early diagnosis of gastric cancer, appropriate surgeryand adjuvant therapy might improve the quality of life and the survival rates of gastric cancer patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.399-403
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• 2008

Carinal resection is technically demanding and the surgical risk is relatively high. When tumor is confined around the carina, then lung parenchymal sparing surgery is technically feasible in selected cases. We performed carinal resection and reconstruction without pulmonary resection for a patient suffering with squamous cell carcinoma that involved the carina and this patient had undergone right upper lobectomy 19 months previously due to lung cancer.