• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2011

Robotic thyroidectomy has been developed to minimize neck scarring, and several authors have described its feasibility and safety, and have reported surgical outcomes comparable with conventional open thyroidectomy. The da Vinci surgical system robot provides a three-dimensional $10-12{\times}$magnified view of the surgical area. It also provides hand-tremor filtration, fine motion scaling, and precise and multi-articulated hand-like motions. Recently, robotic technology has also been applied to lateral compartment neck dissection in thyroid cancer. We have developed a new novel selective neck dissection procedure by a gasless unilateral axillo-breast (GUAB) approach with a da Vinci Surgical System for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma to avoid a long visible neck scar. Based on our early experience, robotic selective neck dissection by GUAB approach is a safe, feasible and cosmetically excellent procedure. It can be an alternative to conventional open surgery in the highly selected patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The oncologic safety of robotic selective neck dissection should be verified with long-term follow-up data.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1110-1115
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• 1998

Esophagectomy has a high morbidity rate, mainly related to pulmonary complications. The respiratory morbidity of open esophagectomy is high, ranging from 6% to 10%. This high morbidity is partially responsible for the 6∼15% mortality rate of esophagectomy. Many techniques of esophagectomy without thoracotomy have been described since the initial report of Orringer and Sloan. Endoscopic microsurgical dissection of the esophagus was clinically introduced in 1989. Endoscopic microsurgical dissection of the esophagus was developed as a minimally invasive procedure that avoids thoracotomy and provides precise vision during the operation in order to reduce mediastinal trauma and to improve the peri- and post-operative situation. A 20 year-old women who accidentally swallowed about 150 cc of glacial acetic acid underwent an esophagectomy using the operating mediastinoscopy, cervical esophagogastric anastomosis, pyloromyotomy, and feeding jejunostomy tube placement for esophageal stricture. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 17th postoperative day. Our clinical experience shows that endoscopic microsurgical dissection of esophagus is a safe and feasible method because it offers excellent optical control and enables the surgeon to operate in a minimally invasive manner.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to analyze the results of radiotherapy administered to patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer, with or without neck dissection. Materials and Methods: From January 1986 to December 2005, 88 patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer were treated with curative intent. The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 74 years (median age, 59 years). There were 74 male and 14 female patients. Distribution of patients by N status was as follows: N1, 4 patients; N2a, 10 patients; N2b, 48 patients; N2c, 8 patients; N3, 18 patients. Fifty-one patients underwent neck dissection and 37 patients had only a biopsy (31 patients had fine-needle aspiration and 6 patients had an excisional biopsy). All patients received radiotherapy. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 154 months, with a median time of 32 months. Results: The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 5 years were 43.9% and 41.7%, respectively. The factors associated with the OS rate were neck dissection, and a subsequent primary tumor. Factors associated with the DFS rate were N stage, neck dissection, and a subsequent primary tumor. Neck failure was noted in 15 patients, distant metastases in 18 patients, and a subsequent primary tumor in 8 patients. Conclusion: With comprehensive radiotherapy given to the bilateral neck and the potential mucosal sites, good survival rates can be obtained in patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer. However, considering the side effects, a randomized trial is required to determine the optimal radiotherapy volume.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.335-344
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• 2001

Purpose : The aim of this study was to clarify the role of VEGF expression as an independent prognostic factor and to identify the patients at high risk for poor prognosis in stage IB cervical cancer. Materials and methods : A total of 118 patients with stage IB cervical cancer who had radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were included in the study. All known high risk factors of the patients were pathologically confirmed from the surgical specimen. Of the 118 patients, n patients were treated with postoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. VEGF expression was examined using immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of post-hysterectomy surgical materials. A semiquantitative analysis was made using a scoring system of 0, +, ++, and +++ for increasing intensity of stain. We classified the patients with scores from 0 to ++ as low VEGF expression and the patients with a score of +++ as high VEGF expression. Results : Of the 118 patients, 35 patients $(29.7\%)$ showed high VEGF expression. Strong correlations were found between the high VEGF expression and both deep stromal invasion (p=0.01) and the positive pelvic node (p=0.03). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates for all 118 patients were $95.5\%\;and\;93.8\%$. The 5-year overall (p=0.03) and disease-free survival (p<0.001) rates were $98.5\%\;and\;100%$ for low VEGF expression (0, +, and ++) and $85.5\%\;and\;79.7\%$ for high VEGF expression, respectively. Pelvic and distant failures for low versus high VEGF expression were $1.2\%$ versus $17.1\%$, (p=0.001) and $0\%$ versus $14.3\%$ (p<0.001), respectively. In a Cox multivariate analysis of survival, the high VEGF expression (p=0.02) and the bulky mass (p=0.02) were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. The high VEGF expression (p=0.002), and bulky mass (p=0.01) demonstrated as significant prognostic indicators for disease free survival. Conclusion : These results showed that VEGF expression was a highly significant predictor for pelvic and distant failure and the most significant prognostic factor of overall and disease free survival for the patients with stage IB cervix cancer treated with radical surgery. We strongly suggest that the immune-histochemistry for VEGF expression be performed in a routine clinical setting in order to identify the patients at high risk for poor prognosis in early stage cervical cancer. Furthermore, postoperative and/or chemotherapy did not reduce the pelvic failure and distant metastasis. To improve the cure rate for the patients with high VEGF expression in stage IB cervical cancer, antiangiogenic therapy including anti-VEGF Ab may be new treatment option.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical findings, treatment, and outcome of patients with glassy cell carcinoma of cervix. Materials and Methods: We reviewed all cases of glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix confirmed and treated at the Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University, between January 1993 and December 2005. There were 7 cases with histopathologically confirmed gassy cell carcinoma. A tumor was diagnosed as glassy cell carcinoma if over 50% of the tumor cell type displayed glassy cell features. Six patients with stage IB had radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic node dissection, and 2 of them received adjuvant external pelvic irradiation with concurrent chemotherapy. Remaining one patient with stage IIA had curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy with external pelvic irradiation and brachytherapy. Results: There were 7 patients diagnosed as glassy cell carcinoma among the 3,745 (0.2%) patients of carcinoma of uterine cervix. The mean age of 7 patients was 44 years with range of 35 to 53 years of age. The most frequent symptom was vaginal bleeding (86%). By the punch biopsy undertaken before treatment of 7 cases, 2 only cases could diagnose as glassy cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, but remaining of them confirmed by surgical pathological examination. The mean follow up duration was 73 months with range of 13 to 150 months. All 7 patients were alive without disease after treatment. Conclusion: Glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a distinct clinicopathologic entity that demonstrates an aggressive biologic behavior. However for early-stage disease, we may have more favorable clinical outcome with radical surgery followed by chemoradiothery.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 2001

Lymphangiomas are relatively rare benign tumors of the lymphatic system, characterized by congenital lymphatic malformation such as anastomosis or obstuction of the lymphatic channels. There are most frequently diagnosed in children younger than 3years. In contrast to that of the hemangioma, the sex distribution of the lymphangioma is nearly evenly divided. The head and neck lymphangioma represents about $70{\sim}75%$ of all lymphangiomas, and they are difficult to manage. Spontaneous regression is rare, and rapid intermittent enlargement occurs secondary to infection or trauma. Enlargement may cause serious sequelae such as airway obstruction, feeding difficulties, and cosmetic problems. Treatments previously used for lymphangiomas include surgical excision and intralesional injection of sclerosants. Problems associated with surgical excision include the risk of cosmetically unacceptable scarring and the risk of damage to surrounding vital stricture and the high risk of incomplete excision. The sclerosants previously used have numerous other local and systemic side effects. This report describes a case that was successfully treated using OK-432 as a new sclerosant drug and secondary surgical excision for congential cavenous lymphangioma extensively enlarged to tongue, mouth floor and submandibular region.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2000

배경 및 목적: Theodor Kocker에 의해 일반화된 전통적인 갑상선 수술방법은 갑상선 질환의 종류 및 정도, 수술범위와 상관없이 광범위한 수술범위로 인한 조직 손상으로 인해 수술후 환자들의 여러가지 불편감은 물론 경부의 넓은 부위의 통증과 경부 피부부종, 장액종, 혈종 등과 같은 후유증을 동반할 수 있다. 최근 본 저자들은 이같은 전통적 갑상선 수술의 부작용을 최소화하기 위해 작은 피부절개($3{\sim}4.5cm$) 후 피하 피판(subplatysmal skin flap) 없이 직접 갑상선으로 접근하는 새로운 수술기법으로서 최소침습 갑상선 수술기법을 개발하였기에 그 술식을 소개하고 전통적인 갑상선 절제술에 대한 우월성을 확인하고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1999년 1월 15일 부터 2000년 1월 14일까지 573예의 갑상선 수술 예 중 최소침습 갑상선절제술이 시행되었던 466예와 1998년 1월 15일부터 1999년 1월 14일까지 전통적 갑상선 수술을 시행한 549예 중 거대 종양(양성>6cm, 악성>5cm), 흉골하 선종, 국소진행암, 재발암, 측경부의 다발성 림프절 전이가 있었던 112예를 제외한 437예의 임상병리적 특성과 피부절개 길이, 수술 시간, 수술중 출혈양, 수술후 진통제 요구빈도 및 재윈기간, 수술 후 합병증 발생빈도를 비교 분석하였다. 결 과: 두 군간의 임상병리적 특성상의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 피부절개 길이($3.7{\pm}0.7cm,\;vs\;9.6{\pm}3.3cm$), 수술 시간($57.6{\pm}11.7$분 vs $85.2{\pm}32.3$분) 수술 중 출혈양($18.4{\pm}15.3ml\;vs\;43.1{\pm}21.8ml$), 수술후 재원기간($1.6{\pm}0.5$일 vs $4.3{\pm}1.6$일), 및 수술후 진통제 요구빈도가 전통적 수술군에 비해 최소침습 수술군에서 통계적으로 유의하게 감소되었으나(p<0.05), 수술후 장액종 및 혈종 형성, 일시적인 음색변화, 일시적인 저칼슘혈증과 같은 합병증의 발생빈도는 각각 4.3%(n=20)와 4.8%(n=21)로 두 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결 론: 최소침습 갑상선 수술법은 새로운 수술기구의 도입 없이도 갑상선 수술의 충분한 시야를 확보할 수 있고 안전하고 간단하게 시행할 수 있으며, 기존 수술법으로 인한 부작용을 최소화할 수 있어 전통적 인 수술법을 대치할 수 있는 새로운 방법으로 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.244-252
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• 1998

The thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine disease requiring surgical management. We perfomed a clinical study of 298 cases with thyroid nodules, who were admitted to and operated at the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Gyeong sang National University from January 1987 to April 1997 and the results were summarized as follows: 1) Patients were composed of 214 cases(71.8%) of benign nodule and 84 cases(28.2%) of malignant nodule. Benign and malignant nodules were prevalent in fifth decade. 2) The sex distribution showed a preponderance of females with ratio of 5.88:1 in benign nodule and 11:1 in malignant nodule. 3) The nodules were located in the right lobe(134 cases, 44.9%), the left lobe(121 cases, 40.6%), both lobes(34 cases, 11.4%), and isthmus(8 cases, 2.7%). The possibility of malignancy was higher in the solid rather than cystic lesions. 4) Radioactive iodine scintiscans were perfomed in 273 cases and revealed cold nodules in 237 cases(86.8%), 58 of these cases(24.4%) were malignant. 5) According to the histopathologic classification, benign nodules included follicular adenomas 136 cases(63.5%), adenomatous goiters 67 cases(31.3%), Hurthle cell adenomas 4 cases(1.9%), cysts 3 cases(1.4%) and thyroiditis 4 cases(1.4%). In malignant nodules, papillary carcinomas 72 cases(85.7%), follicular carcinoma 8 cases(9.5%), undifferentiated carcinoma 2 cases(2.4%), medullary carcinoma 1 case(1.2%) and malignant lymphoma 1 case(1.2%). 6) The most commonly performed operative procedure was a lobectomy with isthmusectomy(85.5%) for bengn nodules and a total thyroidectomy(51.2%) for malignant nodules. 7) The rate of complications was higher in the cases with malignant nodules(20.2%) than in the benign cases(0.5%). The recurrence rate was 8.3%(7 cases).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.164-170
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• 2006

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: This study identified the result of postoperative radiation therapy and the prognostic factors to affect survival rates in cancer patients. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: One hundred and thirty three patients with cervical cancer who were treated with postoperative radiation therapy following surgery at our institution between June 1985 and November 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred and thirteen patients had stage IB disease, and 20 patients had stage IIA disease. Histological examination revealed 118 squamous cell carcinoma patients and 15 adenocarcinoma patients. Sixty seven patients were noted to have stromal invasion greater than 10 mm, and 45 patients were noted to have stromal Invasion 10 mm or less. Positive lymphovascular invasion was found in 24 patients, and positive pelvic lymph nodes were noted in 39 patients. Positive vaginal resection margin was documented in 8 patients. All of the patients were treated with external beam radiation therapy to encompass whole pelvis and primary surgical tumor bed. Intracavitary radiation therapy was added to 19 patients who had positive or close surgical margins. $\underline{Results}$: Actuarial overall and disease-free survival rates for entire group of the patients were 88% and 84% at 5 years, respectively. Five-year disease-free survival rates for patients with stromal invasion greater than 10 mm and 10 mm or less were 76% and 97%, respectively (p<0.05). Also there was a significantly lower survival in patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes compared with patients with negative pelvic lymph nodes (p<0.05). However, lymphovascular invasion, positive vaginal resection margins were not statistically significant prognostic factors. Addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or type of surgery did not affect disease-free survival. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Postoperative radiation therapy appears to achieve satisfactory local control with limited morbidity in cervical cancer patients with high pathologic risk factors. Distant metastasis was a dominant failure pattern to affect survival in cervical cancer patients after radical surgery and radiation and more effective systemic treatment should be investigated in these high-risk patients.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2009

Purpose: To determine optimal imaging time for diagnostic I-123 whole body scan in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC), we compared the image quality of 6- and 24-hour images of the same subjects. Materials and Methods: Four hundred ninety-eight patients(M:F = 55:443, Age $47.6{\pm}12.9$ years) with DTC who had undergone total thyroidectomy and I-131 ablation therapy underwent diagnostic whole body scanning 6 hour and 24 hour after oral ingestion of 185 MBq(5 mCi) of I-123. Serum thyroglobulin measurement and ultrasonography of the neck were performed at the time of imaging. In 40 patients underwent additional I-131 therapy, post-therapy I-131 images were obtained and compared with diagnostic I-123 images. Results: In 440 patients(88.4%), 6- and 24-hour diagnostic I-123 images were concordant, and 58 patients(11.6%) showed discordant findings. Among 58 discordant patients, 31 patients showed abnormal tracer uptake on only 6-hour image, which turned out false-positive findings in all cases. In 12 patients with positive findings on only 24-hour image, remnant thyroid tissue(4 patients) and cervical lymph node metastasis(3 patients) were presented. Among 40 patients underwent additional I-131 therapy, 6-hour and 24-hour images were discordant in 13 patients. All 5 patients with abnormal uptake on only 6-hour image revealed false-positive results, whereas most of 24-hour images were concordant with post-therapy I-131 images. Conclusion: I-123 imaging at 24-hour could reduce false-positive findings and improve diagnostic accuracy, compared with 6-hour image in the follow-up of patient with DTC.