• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to provide basic data for developing nursing interventions to enhance quality of life of pediatric patients with cancer (children and adolescents) by examining the quality of life and related factors. Methods: Participants were 134; 67 pediatric patients and 67 parents. The PedsQL$^{TM}$ 3.0 Cancer Module was employed to measure quality of life in the participants. The related factors included general and clinical characteristics of the participants. Results: Mean score for quality of life in the patients was 75.07, and mean score for patient quality of life as perceived by their parents was 64.40. Among the quality of life subscales, treatment anxiety had the highest score whereas nausea had the lowest score. Mean score in adolescent patients (13-18 years of age) was 71.62, lower than the 78.04 for child patients (8-12 years of age). Regarding general and clinical characteristics of the participants, there were no significant differences in the scores. Conclusion: The results indicate that there is difference in perception of quality of life between patients and their parents, and between children and adolescents and these differences should be taken into account when planning and providing nursing care.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2011

We investigated the radiation exposure caused by DIPS, which is used to identify accurate repositioning and tumor location in pediatric cancer patients proton therapy. To compare and analyze DIPS condition, 50 pediatric cancer patients who underwent proton therapy were selected in Ilsan K cancer-specialized hospital from March 2007 to October 2009. For DIP exposure, 0.09~1.57 mGy is measured in AP and lateral directions and 23.55 mGy is measured in CSI patients. In whole brain patient, the amount of a day DIP exposure dose was 1.13 mGy. During treatment period, who exposed the biggest DIP dose are whole brain patients, 632.71 mGy is exposed. It is 1.13% of prescribed dose, represented dose is adequate because it is not exceeded 2% of recommended dose. Even though the exposed dose is not exceeded more than 2% of prescribed in DIP exposure, we should recognize the radiation damage and genetic influences to pediatric cancer patients, who is much sensitive to radiation and has longer mean residual life time. Therefore, DIPS guideline for pediatric cancer patients should be indicated to minimize the radiation exposure.

• Journal of Convergence Society for SMB
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2016

In this paper, we analyze the quality of life of children and adolescents with cancer. Separated children and adolescents to treat more than 293 patients myeongreul quit two years to analyze the quality of life. In most previous studies it was to compare the quality of life of the patient to feel the parent to evaluate the quality of life in children and adolescents with cancer. Or It was common practice to evaluate Pediatrics as a group. However, to evaluate a wide range of ages of children and adolescents cancer patients as a basis, there is a problem. Therefore, in the paper according to the degree language understanding and 10 to 12 years old and 13-20 years old classified as two groups. In addition, we use KMMQL-AF questionnaires written in korean. Accurate across the 10 local hospital the experts have described the extraction accompanied by an in-depth interview research surveys for data collection (15.07.2011 - 01.31.2012).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the clinical characteristics of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) [A(H1N1) pdm09] and seasonal influenza A infection in the pediatric cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective review was performed in the pediatric cancer patients who had confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 infection at Samsung Medical Center from August 2009 to February 2010. For the comparison, the medical records of pediatric cancer patients with seasonal influenza A from January 2000 to May 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Eighty-two A(H1N1)pdm09 infections were confirmed in the pediatric cancer patients. Ten patients (12.2%) developed complicated clinical course by lower respiratory infections or extrapulmonary infections; 4 pneumonia, 1 bronchitis, 1 pericarditis with pneumonia, 1 encephalitis with pneumonia, 2 meningitis and 1 pericarditis. Three patients received mechanical ventilator and ICU care. Three pediatric cancer patients (3.7%) died. The risk factors related to complicated A(H1N1)pdm09 infections were date of infection (44-45th week 2009) and nosocomial infection. When comparing with previous seasonal influenza A infections, more prompt and aggressive antiviral therapy was given in A(H1N1)pdm09 infections. Conclusion: The A(H1N1)pdm09 infections caused a various clinical manifestations including fatal cases in pediatric cancer patient during pandemic season. There was no significant difference in clinical course between influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza A infections except the antiviral treatment strategy.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2012

Purpose : Although influenza is regarded as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer, the actual vaccine coverage remains poor. We conducted evaluation of immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccine in children with cancer. Methods : In this study, 25 children with cancer who received influenza vaccine (SK influenza IX vaccine$^{(R)}$) at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital between October and December 2009 were analyzed. Blood samples of patients were collected twice (at the beginning of this study and at 30th day after vaccination) and their antibody titers were measured using the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. Immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine was assessed by seroprotection rate on days 0 and 30, seroconversion rate on day 30, and mean fold increase (MFI) of geometric mean titer (GMT) of HI between days 0 and 30. Results : Any of the subjects in our study did not experienced serious adverse events after influenza vaccination. Seroprotection rates were 68% for H1N1, 40% for H3N2, and 36% for B. Seroconversion rates were 12% for H1N1, 16% for H3N2, and 20% for B. MFIs were 0.9 for H1N1, 1.2 for H3N2, and 1.8 for B. Conclusion : In the study, we found a limited protective immune response to influenza vaccine, among subjects with cancer. However, some subjects showed seroconversion, and there were no severe adverse events among all subjects, supporting the recommendation of annual influenza vaccination in children with cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.8
• /
• pp.774-780
• /
• 2007

Purpose : The anthracyclines (AC) are widely used chemotherapeutic agents for pediatric cancers. However, the therapeutic use of these agents is limited by their cardiotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels as a marker for AC-induced cardiotoxicity compared to echocardiography in Korean children with cancer. Methods : Fifty-five pediatric cancer patients who had received chemotherapy including AC were enrolled. The cumulative AC doses, clinical symptoms, and two echocardiography parameters, left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were studied and compared with plasma BNP levels. Results : In 55 patients, plasma BNP levels were measured 115 times and echocardiographies were performed 64 times. The median cumulative dose of AC was $325mg/m^2$ (range 120-600; mean 345) and the median plasma BNP level was 10 pg/mL (range 5-950; mean 31). The cumulative AC doses correlated significantly with the plasma BNP levels (P=0.002). The plasma BNP levels correlated significantly with LVFS (P=0.018) and LVEF (P=0.025). Dilated cardiomyopathies were identified in three patients. LVFS and LVEF decreased and plasma BNP levels increased in a patient with acute dilated cardiomyopathy and in that with symptomatic chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. However, LVFS, LVEF and plasma BNP levels were normal in a patient with asymptomatic chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusion : The results of this study demonstrated that plasma BNP levels could be used as a marker for AC-induced cardiotoxicity; they showed good correlation with echocardiography findings in pediatric cancer patients. Plasma BNP levels may be used for the detection and management of AC-induced cardiotoxicity in Korean children with cancer.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.201-206
• /
• 2011

Purpose : Bacteremia is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed bacteremia episodes occurred in pediatric cancer patients at Samsung Medical Center from January 2008 to December 2010. We excluded bacteremia episodes after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Results : A total of 141 blood cultures were positive in 121 patients. Thirteen cultures due to contamination were excluded. For analysis, 128 bacteremia episodes in 108 children were included. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 46.9% (60/ 128) and gram-negative organisms for 53.1% (68/128). The source of bacteremia was identified in 21.1% of episodes. Bacteremia due to catheter related infection was observed in 9.4% of episodes (12/128 episodes) and gram-positive organisms were isolated in 75% of episodes (9/12). There were 10 cases (7.8%) of bacteremia associated with septic shock and gramnegative organisms were isolated in 80% of episodes (8/10). Relapses were documented within 30 days in 2 patients who cleared bacteremia which was confirmed after negative blood cultures. Mortality associated with bacteremia was not observed. Conclusion : Continuous monitoring is needed to maintain the tailored strategies to manage pediatric cancer patients with neutropenic fever who are at high risk of developing bacteremia in each institution.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.156-161
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Neutropenic enterocolitis is an acute, life-threatening inflammation of the small and large bowel, often seen in children with malignancies during periods of prolonged or severe neutropenia. The optimal management for typhlitis in pediatric oncology patients has been debateful between operative and nonoperative approaches. The purpose of this study was to review the outcome of medical management of patients who were diagnosed as typhlitis. Methods : The records of 207 pediatric cancer patients who were diagnosed and treated at the pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital for cancer between August, 2002 and July, 2007 were reviewed. Results : Among 207 patients, 12 (5.7%) children aged 9 to 14 years, were diagnosed clinically to have typhlitis. Clinical symptoms and signs of patients were fever, abdominal pain and tenderness, diarrhea, vomiting and rebound tenderness. Bowel-wall thickening (> 4mm) was seen on CT or ultrasonography. All patients were treated with antibiotics combinations of teicoplanin, carbapenem, aminoglycoside, or other third generation cephalosporin and metronidazole or clindamycin. Eight patients were treated with additional antifungal agents. Other supportive management included bowel rest, total parenteral nutrition, and G-CSF administration. All patients recovered completely and did not need any surgical management. Conclusion : Early diagnosis and aggressive supportive treatment appears to be important for complete recovery and survival of typhlitis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.267-275
• /
• 1995

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can effectively control cancer but can also cause new second cancers to develop as long-term complications especially in childhood cancer. We experienced two patients with second malignant solid neoplasm who had been treated with radiation and chemotherapy for childhood cancers One female patient with rhabdomyosarcoma of the right popliteal fossa was treated with radiotherapy at total dose of 54Gy Three years and seven months later, osteosarcoma developed in the field of radiation therapy The other male patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the small bowel was treated with radiotherapy and leiomyosarcoma developed in the field of radiotherapy 18 years later. We reviewed the literature of the second malignant neoplasm in children in respect of risk factors. The risk for a second primary cancer following radiotherapy or chemotherapy emphasizes the need for life long follow-up of patients receiving such treatments, particularly patients treated for childhood cancers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.8
• /
• pp.904-909
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The differential diagnosis for a pulmonary nodule is intriguing in cancer patients. Metastasis might be a preferential diagnosis, and yet possibilities of other medical conditions still exist. Pulmonary tuberculosis should be enlisted in the differential diagnosis for a pulmonary nodule in cancer patients in Korea. This study was aimed at analyzing the incidence and clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis that were misdiagnosed as pulmonary metastasis during radiologic follow-up in pediatric cancer patients. Methods : We retrospectively studied 422 cancer patients less than 18 years old in the Korea Cancer Center Hospital from January 2001 to June 2007. We collected episodes of lung metastasis of primary tumor and tuberculosis during treatment or follow-up, and analyzed medical records. Results : There were 5 cases of tuberculosis confirmed after surgery which were initially regarded as cancer. Two patients had respiratory symptoms such as cough and sputum but the other 3 patients did not. One patient had a family history of tuberculosis. Acid-fast M. tuberculosis was found in one case upon tissue specimen analysis. Two cases were Mantoux positive and the sputum examination was negative in all cases. The polymerase chain reaction for tuberculosis on a pathologic specimen was used to differentiate M. tuberculosis from non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM). It was positive in one case. Lung lesions in one case showed a concurrence of tuberculosis along with lung metastasis. One of these patients died after cancer recurrence. Conclusion : It is necessary to consider the possibility of tuberculosis when a lung mass is newly detected during treatment or follow-up in patients with childhood cancer.