• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.159-171
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of baseline values and temporal changes in body composition parameters, including skeletal muscle index (SMI) and visceral adipose tissue area (VAT), measured using serial computed tomography (CT) imaging on the prognosis of operable breast cancers in Asian patients. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively included 627 Asian female (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 53.6 ± 8.3 years) who underwent surgery for stage I-III breast cancer between January 2011 and September 2012. Body composition parameters, including SMI and VAT, were semi-automatically calculated on baseline abdominal CT at the time of diagnosis and follow-up CT for post-treatment surveillance. Serial changes in SMI and VAT were calculated as the delta values. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of baseline and delta SMI and VAT values with disease-free survival. Results: Among 627 patients, 56 patients (9.2%) had breast cancer recurrence after a median of 40.5 months. The mean value ± SD of the baseline SMI and baseline VAT were 43.7 ± 5.8 cm²/m² and 72.0 ± 46.0 cm², respectively. The mean value of the delta SMI was -0.9 cm²/m² and the delta VAT was 0.5 cm². The baseline SMI and VAT were not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.983; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.937-1.031; p = 0.475 and adjusted HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.995-1.006; p = 0.751, respectively). The delta SMI and VAT were also not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted HR, 0.894; 95% CI, 0.766-1.043; p = 0.155 and adjusted HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.989-1.014; p = 0.848, respectively). Conclusion: Our study revealed that baseline and early temporal changes in SMI and VAT were not independent prognostic factors regarding disease-free survival in Asian patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.165-175
• /
• 2001

We performed case-control study to evaluate relationship between food intake and risk of breast cancer. We interviewed breast cancer cases(n=108) who were newly histologically identified and selected from Hanyang and Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul. We used hospital-based control subjects(n=121), who were selected from the patients in the department of plastic surgery, general surgery and opthalmology of the same hospital by frequency matching. Matching variables were age($\pm$4 age) and menopausal status. We collected information on general characteristics of subjects, history of disease, family history of breast cancer, vitamin supplementation, alcohol intake, and food intake through individual interview. Dietary information was ascertained via a food frequency questionnaire method(total item=98). All analyses was conducted according to menopausal status. Especially, pepper and grape intake in premenopausal women, showed protective effect in breast cancer. Otherwise consumption of meat, pork, and fish was not associated with breast cancer risk in this study. At milk and dairy products, milk intake was associated with lower risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and overall intake of soy products was associated with breast cancer risk, but not significant. These findings suggested that consumption of some fruit and vegetable intake was a protective factor on breast cancer and further study with more number of subjects should be need to evaluate the breast cancer risk. (Korean J Nutrition 34(2): 165~175, 2001)

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.34-38
• /
• 2002

Positron emission tomography(PET) is an imaging method that employs radionuclide and tomography techniques. Since 1995, we applied PET not only to the diagnosis of breast cancer but also to the detection of abnormalities in the augmented breast and to the detection of metastasis. Until 2001, we evaluated 242 breast cases by PET at PET center of Seoul National University Hospital. Our group has reported serially at the international journals. In the first report, PET showed high sensitivity for detecting breast cancer, both the primary and axillary node metastasis. A total of 27 patients underwent breast operations based on PET results at Seoul National University Hospital from 1995 to 1996. The diagnostic accuracy of PET were 97% for the primary tumor mass and 96% for axillary lymph node metastasis. In case of the breast augmented, PET also showed excellent diagnostic results for primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis where mammography and ultrasound could not diagnose properly. PET also had outstanding results in the detection of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer(sensitivity 94%, specificity 80%, accuracy 89%). In addition, our study gave some evidence that PET could be applied further to evaluate the growth rate of tumors by measuring SUV, and finally to prognosticated the disease. PET could also be applied to evaluate the response after chemotherapy to measure its metabolic rate and size. In conclsion, PET is a highly sensitive, accurate diagnostic tool for breast cancer of primary lesion in various conditions including metastasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9543-9547
• /
• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate demographic features, dietary habits, and some possible risk factors for being susceptible to breast cancer in Iranian women. Materials and Methods: A study of dietary habits and breast cancer was conducted among 53 Iranian women with histological confirmed disease and 40 matched controls. A dietary habits questionnaire was used to evaluate the pattern of selected food intakes. The risk of cancer was analyzed after adjustment for confounding factors. Age, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, educational status, parity, lactation, marital status, menopause, history of estrogen therapy, and family history of breast disease or cancer were assessed among participants. Special attention was given to the relationship between consumption of high fat meat, milk, yogurt and cheese as well use of frying oils for frying foods, use of olive/liquid oils for cooking, removing fat from meat and poultry, removing chicken skin and not use of mayonnaise as salad dressing and the risk of breast cancer. Moreover, salad, vegetable and fruit consumption, and eating outdoors owere investigated. Results: Our results revealed significant lower education and higher BMI and waist circumference levels in patients with breast cancer. There was significantly increased breast cancer risk in overweight women in comparison with normal weight (OR=2.91, 95%CI 1.24 to 6.82). High intake of fat dairy products including milk and cheese was found to be a statistically significant factor for increasing breast cancer risk in models adjusting for age, BMI and education. Use of olive/liquid oils for cooking and avoidance of mayonnaise as salad dressing are related to lower risk of breast cancer. The frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption was significantly lower in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy women. Conclusions: Dietary habits might be risk factors for breast cancer among Iranian women. Adoption of a prudent diet could be an appropriate strategy for preventing breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 1990

The purpose of this study is to identify the main factors influencing breast cancer self-examination, a preventive health behavior, thereby increasing self-examination compliance for early detection of the disease. The data on which this study was based were collected from a survey of 601 ladies, aged 20∼59 years and residing in Seoul, employing such mehtods as X²-test, ANOVA, t-test, F-test, Person's Correlation Coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression. The resulting conclusions are as follows; 1. Discrepancies in self-examination compliance rate are found in accordance with the differences of general characters of the surveyed persons. For instance, those who are well educated and better off are better compliers than those who are not (p<0.001), and those around whom breast cancer patients are better ones than who are not (p<0.01). 2. Self-examination compliers have higher health belief than non-compliers. Compliers have more knowledge in health and have higher susceptibility, barriers and health concern (p<0.001), and higher benefits (p<0.01), and higher seriousness (p<0.05) than non-compliers. 3. Whereas those who have loftier health belief show higher compliance rate (p<0.001), seriousness turned out to have no correlationship with self-examination compliance. 4. Stepwise Multiple Regression portray that following factors influence self-examination compliance in arder named. (1) barriers (2) susceptibility, (3) health concern, (4) age, (5) benefits, (6) education level. Even so, it turned out that these factors alone can explain only 20％ of self-examination compliance. Therefore study for the other factors ought to be continued. I submit following suggestions ending this study. 1. Since breast cancer self-examination is an essential health behavior needed for early detection of the disease, efficient and proper health education program eyed for regular and periodic self-examination is required to be developed, thus reducing the deaths and pains caused by the disease. 2. Proper policies of the government for the prevention of breast cancer is strongly urged to be formed in concrete manner. 3. Continuous study of the other factors affecting self-examination compliance must be carried on.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.1797-1800
• /
• 2016

Background: Research in the field of informational needs of breast cancer patients is scarce. In the few published articles, these needs were usually not satisfied. The main objective of this study was to evaluate satisfaction regarding informational needs in women with breast cancer. The long-term goal was to guide physician-patient communication to meet these needs. Materials and Methods: A survey with 21 questions was completed by 84 female patients receiving chemotherapy in a one-day hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. All patients were aware of their disease and agreed to participate in the survey. Results: The doctor was the major source of information for patients followed by media (radio and television). The level of knowledge of patients concerning their disease was proportional to the number of information sources. Women aged younger than 45 years, diagnosed during the last three months before the survey and certified from high school were less satisfied with information given by the oncologist. The missing information was in relation with the steps of the treatment after the chemotherapy regimen, the risk of a family member (sisters and daughters) of developing the disease and management of lymphedema. Conclusions: This study generated a scale for the degree of satisfaction of information received by women with breast cancer from their oncologist. The physician can use this scale to improve his or her skills of communication to patients and diminish their level of fear and anxiety.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.379-389
• /
• 2003

Purpose: To identify the type of disease-related stress experienced by women who received mastectomy for breast cancer using Q methodology. Method: Q sample included 30 statements obtained from literature and interviews with women with mastectomy. P sample consisted of 22 patients with mastectomy. The data were collected from November to December 2002 and analyzed using QUANL program. Result : Four types of disease-related stress experienced by women with mastectomy were found. Type 1 was manifested for a short duration following surgery and characterized by lowered self-esteem, feelings of emptiness and depression because of impaired body image. Type 2 was characterized by declined physical strength, resulting in frequent fatigue in the daily life and less intimate relationship with spouse. Type 3 was manifested by perfectionists with strong sense of self-pride who received or considered breast reconstruction surgery. Type 4 was reported by those who had long period of post-surgery. This type reported a strong sense of discomfort for wearing an artificial breast but didn't show any intention of trying breast reconstruction surgery. Conclusion: Women with mastectomy were found to experience different type of disease-related distress. Therefore, nurses should assess the type of stress the patient experiences following a mastectomy to provide appropriate nursing care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.807-812
• /
• 2014

Background: The clinical course of the neoplasm may vary due to both patient and tumor cell characteristics. Aim: The aim of this study was to research the influence of certain clinical and pathological features on the prognosis of early stage breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This study included 117 women that were treated and followed-up in between the years 2001-2011. The demographic, clinical and histopathological features of the cases were reviewed retrospectively. Statistical analysis: In categorical comparisons between groups, cross-tab statistics were provided and significance levels were estimated using chi-square test. Cox regression analysis, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests, and the Kaplan-Meier test were also used. Results: With an average of 35-months follow-up, the mean disease-free survival of patients was 91 months and the mean overall survival time was 132 months. In the whole study group, the disease-free survival rates were 88, 84, 83 and 52%, while the overall survival rates 95, 94, 83, and 83% within the first, third, fifth and tenth years, respectively. The disease-free and overall survival rates were decreased with increasing tumor grades, though this was not statistically significant. The presence of lymphovascular invasion, positive staining with Ki67 and postmenopausal status were associated with shorter disease-free and overall survival times. In multivariate analysis, only age and Her2/neu receptor status influenced the prognosis significantly. Conclusions: In parallel to clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical prognostic features in breast cancer, in this study positive Her2/neu receptor status, a previously accepted poor prognostic factor, was found to have positive influence after trastuzumab treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2016

Bone matrix is properly maintained by osteoclasts and osteoblasts. In the tumor microenvironment, osteoclasts are increasingly differentiated by the various ligands and cytokines secreted from the metastasized cancer cells at the bone metastasis niche. The activated osteoclasts generate osteolytic lesions. For this reason, studies focusing on the differentiation of osteoclasts are important to reduce bone destruction by tumor metastasis. The N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) has been known to contribute to the suppression of tumor growth and metastasis, but the precise role of NDRG2 in osteoclast differentiation induced by cancer cells has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that NDRG2 expression in breast cancer cells has an inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation. RAW 264.7 cells, which are monocytic preosteoclast cells, treated with the conditioned media (CM) of murine breast cancer cells (4T1) expressing NDRG2 are less differentiated into the multinucleated osteoclast-like cells than those treated with the CM of 4T1-WT or 4T1-mock cells. Interestingly, 4T1 cells stably expressing NDRG2 showed a decreased mRNA and protein level of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), which is known to enhance osteoclast maturation. Osteoclast differentiation was also reduced by ICAM1 knockdown in 4T1 cells. In addition, blocking the interaction between soluble ICAM1 and ICAM1 receptors significantly decreased osteoclastogenesis of RAW 264.7 cells in the tumor environment. Collectively, these results suggest that the reduction of ICAM1 expression by NDRG2 in breast cancer cells decreases osteoclast differentiation, and demonstrate that excessive bone resorption could be inhibited via ICAM1 down-regulation by NDRG2 expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.4919-4923
• /
• 2013

Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and its incidence is increasing, particularly in developing countries. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many cases are first diagnosed in later stages and at younger age compared to those seen in developed countries. Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. Performance of breast self examination is one of the important steps for identifying breast disease at an early stage, by the woman herself. No information has hitherto been available about the frequency of this practice among female university students in UAE or about their breast cancer risk perception and therefore the present study was conducted in Ajman. It was found that 22.7% of the participants practiced BSE but only 3% of them practiced BSE monthly. Marital status but not age as significantly associated with age likelihood. The most frequent reported barriers for BSE were lack of knowledge, considering oneself not at risk and the absence of doctor advice. These factors need to be taken into account in intervention efforts.