• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.2
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• pp.67-70
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• 2013

A 52-year-old man was referred to our clinic for an 11.3 mm nodule in the left lower lobe that was discovered on a chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Eleven small nodules were subsequently found in both lungs. Initially, we performed a transthoracic needle aspiration using CT scan guidance. The pathologic report showed a few clusters of atypical cells that were suspicious for malignancy. The positron emission tomography images revealed multiple lung nodules scattered throughout both lungs. The largest nodule (11.3 mm) in the left lower lobe did not have any discernible fludeoxyglucose uptake. For pathologic confirmation, we consulted a thoracic surgeon to perform the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The final diagnosis was minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules (MPMNs). MPMNs are benign in nature, and only a few cases require treatment. However, when clinicians are suspicious of potential malignancy, a pathological correlation is essential, even if the final diagnosis is MPMNs.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 2004

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm of the parotid gland, generally presenting as a slowly growing, firm, well-circumscribed, painless nodule. It is often difficult to separate into benign and malignant categories because its bland histomorphologic and cytologic features. This tumor can be rarely associated with cystic change, hemorrhagic necrosis, or spontaneous infarction. Necrosis of lesional tissue may be associated with malignant transformation, particularly in a pleomorphic adenoma. We report a case of 50-year-old woman presented with a enlarging right parotid mass. Computed tomographic scan demonstrated a right superficial lobe mass with ill-defined border. The preoperative fine needle aspiration yielded necrotic debris and atypical squamous elements that were thought to be compatible with high degree of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A total parotidectomy with intraoperative frozen section revealed extensive necrosis and diagnosed as malignant tumor. This tumor was finally diagnosed as a pleomorphic adenoma with necrosis on permanent sections. Caution should be exercised in evaluation of the parotid neoplasms with central necrosis to avoid misdiagnosis of such lesions as malignancy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.206-211
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• 2003

The pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm involving both the major and minor salivary glands. It is a benign, slowgrowing tumor, but local recurrences can occur. The pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1), which is a novel zinc finger gene, is frequently activated by reciprocal chromosomal translocations involving 8q12 in a subset of salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas. This experimental study was preformed to observe the translocation patterns between PLAG1 gene and the three translocation partner genes. We also have analyzed the presence of PLAG1 transcripts by RT-PCR. CTNNB1/PLAG1 gene fusion was observed in three of nine pleomorphic adnomas. However, LIFR/PLAG1 and SII/PLAG1 gene fusions were not detectable. All of three gene fusions was not detectable in one Warthin's tumor and three inflammatory salivary gland tissues. PLAG1 transcripts were expressed in all inflammatory salivary gland tissues and tumors except for three pleomorphic adenomas. Of particular one pleomorphic adenoma showing CTNNB1/PLAG1 gene fusion did not express PLAG1 transcipt. Our data indicate that gene fusion involving PLAG1 is a frequent event in pleomorphic adenoma, but correlation between gene fusion involving PLAG1 and PLAG1 transcription is not definite.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.645-650
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• 2002

Extraosseous pulmonary chondrosarcoma is rare neoplasm, which is characterized into two groups. One is termed a primary chondrosarcoma, and arise de novo (bronchial cartilage), the other is termed a secondary chondrosarcoma, and is superimposed on preexisting benign cartilagenous neoplasms, such as a chondroma or hamartoma. The preferred treatment is surgical resection. We recently experienced a secondary chondrosarcoma changed from a hamartoma. A 54-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal chest X-ray with mild dyspnea. We performed a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy and sputum examination. The abnormal mass had been diagnosed as a chondromatous hamartoma with active pulmonary tuberculosis, which had been treated with anti-tuberculosis regimens. Despite her medication, an abnormal mass had grown. Therefore, we undertook a pneumonectomy with chest wall reconstruction. Histopathologically, the mass was a grade II, dedifferenciated chondrosarcoma, with chronic granulomatous inflammation and necrosis. We suggest this case had changed from a chondromatous hamartoma to a dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma, with associated pulmonary tuberculosis. We report this case with a brief literature review.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4215-4221
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• 2013

Purposes: Lung cancer is prevalent worldwide and improvements in timely and effective diagnosis are need. Pentraxin-3 as a novel serum marker for lung cancer (LC) has not been validated in large cohort studies. The aim of the study was to assess its clinical value in diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: We analyzed serum PTX-3 levels in a total of 1,605 patients with LC, benign lung diseases and healthy controls, as well as 493 non-lung cancer patients including 12 different types of cancers. Preoperative and postoperative data were further assessed in patients undergoing LC resection. The diagnostic performance of PTX-3 for LC and early-stage LC was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) by comparing with serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1). Results: Levels of PTX-3 in serum were significantly higher in patients with LC than all controls. ROC curves showed the optimum diagnostic cutoff was 8.03ng/mL (AUC 0.823, [95%CI 0.789-0.856], sensitivity 72.8%, and specificity 77.3% in the test cohort; 0.802, [95%CI 0.762-0.843], sensitivity 69.7%, and specificity 76.4% in the validate cohort). Similar diagnostic performance of PTX-3 was observed for early-stage LC. PTX-3 decreased following surgical resection of LC and increased with tumor recurrence. Significantly elevated PTX-3 levels were also seen in patients with non-lung cancers. Conclusions: The present data revealed that PTX-3 was significantly increased in both tissue and serum samples in LC patients. PTX-3 is a valuable biomarker for LC and improved identification of patients with LC and early-stage LC from those with non-malignant lung diseases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a pleomorphic spindle cell neoplasm characterized by a variable combination of cells with fibroblastic and histiocytic features. It occurs mostly on sun-exposed area of the head and neck of elderly person and is a clinically benign reactive lesion despite apparent malignant histologic features. However, because of its potential for metastasis, it is widely regarded as a low-grade sarcoma. We report a 30-year-old woman with atypical fibroxanthoma developed on the left occipital area. The lesion was $1.5{\times}2cm$ sized papule. There was no skin lesion such as ulcer or eschar. However, mass was involving occipital bone and composed of dense, pleomorphic spindle cells and several bizarre multinucleated giant cells. After wide excision of the scalp and occipital bone, the defect was covered with bone cement, bipedicled local flap and the donor site was covered with STSG. The wound healed completely without complication. It remained free of recurrence for a period of about 1 year follow up.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2015

Background: A schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing peripheral nerve sheath tumor that originates from Schwann cells. Orbital schwannomas are rare, accounting for only 1% of all orbital neoplasms. In this study, we retrospectively review orbital schwannomas and characterize clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of this rare entity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with histologically confirmed orbital schwannoma, among a list of 437 patients who had visited our hospital with soft tissue masses within the orbit as the primary presentation between 2010 and 2014. Patient charts and medical records were reviewed for demographic information, relevant medical and family history, physical examination findings relating to ocular and extraocular sensorimotor function, operative details, postoperative complications, pathologic report, and recurrence. Results: Five patients (5/437, 1.1%) were identified as having histologically confirmed orbital schwannoma and underwent complete excision. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were not consistent in predicting histologic diagnosis. There were no complications, and none of the patients experienced significant scar formation. In two cases, patients exhibited a mild postoperative numbness of the forehead, but the patients demonstrated full recovery of sensation within 3 months after the operation. None of the five patients have experienced recurrence. Conclusion: Orbital schwannomas are relatively rare tumors. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of its variable presentation and location. Appropriate early assessment of orbital tumors by CT or MRI and prompt management is warranted to prevent the development of severe complications. Therefore, orbital schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of slow-growing orbital masses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3179-3183
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of study was to evaluate radiologic or clinical features of breast cancer undergoing ultrasound (US)-guided 14G core needle biopsy (CNB) and analyze the differences between underestimated and accurately diagnosed groups. Materials and Methods: Of 1,898 cases of US-guided 14G CNB in our institute, 233 cases were proven to be cancer by surgical pathology. The pathologic results from CNB were invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) (n=157), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n=40), high-risk lesions in 22 cases, and benign in 14 cases. Among high-risk lesions, 7 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) were reported as cancer and 11 cases of DCIS were proven IDC in surgical pathology. Some 29 DCIS cases and 157 cases of IDC were correctly diagnosed with CNB. The clinical and imaging features between underestimated and accurately diagnosed breast cancers were compared. Results: Of 233 cancer cases, underestimation occurred in 18 lesions (7.7%). Among underestimated cancers, CNB proven ADH (n=2) and DCIS (n=11) were diagnosed as IDC and CNB proven ADH (n=5) were diagnosed at DCIS finally. Among the 186 accurately diagnosed group, the CNB results were IDC (n=157) and DCIS (n=29). Comparison of underestimated and accurately diagnosed groups for BI-RADS category, margin of mass on mammography and US and orientation of lesion on US revealed statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Underestimation of US-guided 14G CNB occurred in 7.7% of breast cancers. Between underestimated and correctly diagnosed groups, BI-RADS category, margin of the mass on mammography and margin and orientation of the lesions on US were different.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2175-2178
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• 2012

Purpose: Definite diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is based on the presence of capsular or vascular invasion. To date, no reliable and practical method has been introduced to discriminate this malignant neoplasm from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) in fine needle aspiration biopsy material. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), by degrading extracellular matrix, and caspase-3, by induction of apoptosis, have been shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis and aggressive behavior in many tumor types. The aim of this study was to examine expression of MMP-2 and caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis. Method: Sixty FTAs and 41 FTCs were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP-2 and caspase-3. Result: MMP-2 was positive in 4 FTCs (9.8%), but in none of FTAs, with statistical significance (p= 0.025). Caspase-3 was positive in 30 (50%) of FTAs and in 27 (65.9%) of FTCs. Conclusion: Our results show MMP-2 expression only in FTCs and suggest that this protein may be a useful marker to confirm diagnosis of FTC versus FTA with 100% specificity and 100% predictive value of a positive test. We failed to show any differential diagnostic value for caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.598-602
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• 2006

The lipoma is the neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. Although most lipomas occur on the trunk and the proximal portion of the extremities, lipomas of the oral and maxillofacial regions are relatively rare, approximately 13% of all cases. Lipomas have been found in all age, but usually found between 40 and 60 years of age. Clinically the lipoma is a painless, slowly growing, nearly always benign soft mass. The treatment of choice is a surgical excision, and the recurrence is rare. But the infiltrating lipoma originated from muscle has high recurrence rate. It has ill-defined border and little or no evidence of encapsulation. Histologically there is a consistent infiltration with dissociation of the surrounding muscle fiber. The infiltrating lipoma should be excised with surrounding normal muscle and tissue to prevent the recurrence. This case was a 57-year-old female with a painless swelling of the right cervical and parotid areas which was diagnosed as large infiltrating lipoma by clinical examination and radiographic findings. The patient was treated by surgical excision and showed good functional and esthetic results. Histologically the tumor was diagnosed as infiltrating lipoma with no evidence of malignancy.