• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2979-2982
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• 2016

Background: High dose ionizing radiation can induce ovarian cancer, but the effect of low dose radiation on the development of ovarian cancer has not been extensively studied. We evaluated the effect of low dose radiation and total background radiation, and the radiation delivered to the ovaries during the treatment of rectosigmoid cancer and breast cancer on ovarian cancer incidence. Materials and Methods: Background radiation measurements are from Assessment of Variations in Radiation Exposure in the United States, 2011. Ovarian cancer incidence data are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of ovarian cancer following breast cancer and rectosigmoid cancer are from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Obesity data by US state are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mean ages of US state populations are from the United States Census Bureau. Results: We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, which reveal that in 194,042 cases of breast cancer treated with beam radiation, there were 796 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months of treatment (0.41%); in 283, 875 cases of breast cancer not treated with radiation, there were 1,531 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months (0.54%). The difference in ovarian cancer incidence in the two groups was significant (p < 0.001, two tailed Fisher exact test). The small dose of scattered ovarian radiation (about 3.09 cGy) from beam radiation to the breast appears to have reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 24%. In 13,099 cases of rectal or rectosigmoid junction cancer treated with beam radiation in the SEER data, there were 20 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months of treatment (0.15%). In 33,305 cases of rectal or rectosigmoid junction cancer not treated with radiation, there were 91 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months (0.27%). The difference in ovarian cancer incidence in the two groups was significant (p = 0.017, two tailed Fisher exact test). In other words, the beam radiation to rectum and rectosigmoid that also reached the ovaries reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 44%. In addition, there was a significant inverse relationship between ovarian cancer in white women and radon background radiation (r = - 0.465. p = 0.002) and total background radiation (r = -0.456, p = 0.002). Because increasing age and obesity are risk factors for ovarian cancer, multivariate linear regression was performed. The inverse relationship between ovarian cancer incidence and radon background was significant (${\beta}=-0.463$, p = 0.002) but unrelated to age (${\beta}=-0.080$, p = 0.570) or obesity (${\beta}=-0.180$, p = 0.208). Conclusions: The reduction of ovarian cancer risk following low dose radiation may be the result of radiation hormesis. Hormesis is a favorable biological response to low toxin exposure. A pollutant or toxin demonstrating hormesis has the opposite effect in small doses as in large doses. In the case of radiation, large doses are carcinogenic. However, lower overall cancer rates are found in U.S. states with high impact radiation. Moreover, there is reduced lung cancer incidence in high radiation background US states where nuclear weapons testing was done. Women at increased risk of ovarian cancer have two choices. They may be closely followed (surveillance) or undergo immediate prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. However, the efficacy of surveillance is questionable. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is considered preferable, although it carries the risk of surgical complications. The data analysis above suggests that low-dose pelvic irradiation might be a good third choice to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Further studies would be worthwhile to establish the lowest optimum radiation dose.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4401-4404
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• 2016

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of malnutrition in gynecologic cancer patients using the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 gynecologic cancer patients who never had any treatment but were planned for surgery were enrolled. The patients were asked to complete the scored PG-SGA form before the treatment was started. Attending physicians were also asked to complete other information in the PG-SGA form. Total scores were calculated and the patients were classified into 3 nutritional status levels. Results: Mean age was 54 years. Postoperative diagnoses were endometrial cancer in 42 cases (43.2%), ovarian cancer in 29 cases (29.9%), and cervical cancer in 26 cases (26.8%). Mean PG-SGA score was 5.2+4.7. Malnutrition (PG-SGA B and C) was found in 52 patients (53.6%, 95% CI 43.7% - 63.2%). Preoperative BMI, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and cancer stage were not significantly associated with nutritional status. Malnutrition was significantly more common among patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, compared to other types of cancer (79.3% vs. 42.6%, p 0.004). Conclusions: Prevalence of malnutrition among gynecologic cancer patients was 53.5%, according to the scored PG-SGA. Malnutrition was significantly more common among patients with ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.948-954
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• 1992

In spite of recent progress in anticancer chemotherapy, the survival of patients with metastases to the lung treated nonsurgically has been extremely poor. So we adopted more aggressive surgical approaches for the treatment of patients with pulmonary metastases since 1985. We experienced 22 operations of metastatic lung cancer in 19 patients in the department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery in Kosin Medical College since 1985, so we reviewed the results of treatment retrospectively. The results were as follows: 1. The primary organs of metastatic lung cancer were 4 cases in each of the breast, uterus, and extremities, 3 cases in the rectum, 2 cases in the kidney, 1 case in each of the pelvis and liver, and the pathological findings were 13 cases in carcinoma and 6 cases in sarcoma. 2. The treatments for primary lesions were 15 cases of the operations with anticancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy, 2 cases of choriocarcinoma with anticancer chemotherapy only, 1 cases of uterine cervical carcinoma with chemo-radiation therapy, and 1 case of pelvic synovia sarcoma with intra-arterial anticancer chemotherapy. 3. Disease free intrerval were as follows: 7 cases were in 2 years to 4 years, 4 cases were in 1 year to 2 years, and 5 cases were beyond one year, of them one case was discovered primary lesion and metastatic lung tumor concomittently. 3 cases were above 4 years, of them one case of breast cancer were above 13 years especially. 4. The sites of metastatic lung cancer was 15 lesions in the right lung, and 9 lesions in the left lung, And the lobar sites were 10 lesions in the upper lobe, 2 lesions in the middle lobe, and 12 lesions in the lower lobe. 5. The operative methods of metastatic lung cancer were 7 case of partial resection of lung, 12 cases of pulmonary lobectomy, 1 case of pneumonectomy and 1 case of dissection of mediastinal lymph node. 6. The postoperative complications were 1 case of mild respiratory insufficency, 1 cases of pyothorax, and 1 case of urethral stricture. 7. Postoperative adjuvant therapy were as follows: No adjuvant therapy were 4 cases, anti-cancer chemotherapy were 8 cases, radiation therapy was 1 case, and combined with chemo k radiation therapy were 8 cases. 8. The results of long term follow-up were as follows: The 5 patients were died at 2 months, 22 months, 24 months, 32 months, and 49 months postoperatively, so mean survival period was 32 months postoperatively excluding one patient who was died at 2 months postoperatively. And 14 patients are aliving, of them 3 patients are living in recurred state, and the other 11 patients are living without any evidence of recurrence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1817-1820
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• 2015

Background: Hemoglobin A1c(HgA1c) is a marker of poor gylcemic control and elevation HgA1c is associated with increased risk of many cancers. We aimed to determine the HgA1c levels in endometrial cancer cases and any relationship with stage and grade of disease. Materials and Methods: A retrospective data review was performed between June 2011 and October 2012 at a tertiary referral center in Turkey. The study included 35 surgically staged endometrial cancer patients and 40 healthy controls. Preoperative HgA1c levels drawn within 3 months before surgery were compared. Also the relationships between HgA1c levels and stage, grade and hystologic type of cancer cases were evaluated. Results: The mean HgA1c levels were statistically significantly higher at $6.19{\pm}1.44$ in endometrial cancer cases than the $5.61{\pm}0.58$ in controls (p=0.027). With endometrial cancer cases, the mean HgA1c level was found to be $6.62{\pm}1.40$ for stage I and $6.88{\pm}1.15$ for stages II-IV (p=0.07). The figures were $6.74{\pm}1.65$ for endometrioid and $6.63{\pm}1.41$ for non-endometrioid type tumors (p=0.56). Mean HgA1c levels of $6.72{\pm}1.14$ for grade 1 and $6.62{\pm}1.42$ for grade 2-3 were observed (p=0.57). Conclusions: HgA1c levels in endometrial cancer patients were statistically higher than healthy controls. However, HgA1c did not show any significant correlation with stage, grade and histologic type in endometrial cancer cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1981-1986
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• 2015

Background: Knowledge of cancer incidences is essential for cancer prevention and control programs. Capture-recapture methods have been recommended for reducing bias and increasing the accuracy of cancer incidence estimations. This study aimed to estimate the completeness of gastric cancer registration by the capture-recapture method based on Ardabil population-based cancer registry data. Materials and Methods: All new cases of gastric cancer reported by three sources, pathology reports, death certificates and medical records that reported to Ardabil population-based cancer registry in 2006 and 2008 were enrolled in the study. The duplicate cases based on the similarity of first name, surname and fathers names were identified between sources. The estimated number of gastric cancers was calculated by the log-linear method using Stata 12 software. Results: A total of 857 new cases of gastric cancer were reported from three sources. After removing duplicates, the reported incidence rates for the years 2006 and 2008 were 35.3 and 32.5 per 100,000 population, respectively. The estimated completeness calculated by log-linear method for these years was 36.7 and 36.0, respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate that none of the sources of pathology reports, death certificates and medical records individually or collectively fully cover the incident cases of gastric cancer. We can obtain more accurate estimates of incidence rates using the capture-recapture method.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 1998

Background: Supraglottis and glottis have a different embryologic origin. Supraglottic cancer is characterized by high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis at initial diagnosis, and favored surgical management of the early supraglottic cancer was partial supraglottic laryngectomy, however the procedure resulted in frequent incidences of postsurgical aspiration and voice disabilities. Objectives: We retrospectively analyzed the problems and the advantages of the endoscopic laser assisted supraglottic partial laryngectomy as a part of surgical management for early supraglottic cancer. Materials and Methods: During the past nine years 25 cases of supraglottic cancer(Tl 10 cases, T2 15 cases) were treated by tracheotomy and laser assisted supraglottic partial laryngectomy(KTP532, 15 Watt, continuous type) and in 10 cases with cervical lymph node metastasis, they were additionally managed by neck dissection one week later, and all cases received postoperative irradiation therapy. Results: At present, 19 cases are alive with no evidence of disease. During the follow up period total of six cases(primary failure: three cases, nodal failure: three cases) were recurred. In relation to tumor staging, One of the 10 Tl cases and two of the 15 T2 cases recurred showing 88% locoregional recurrence rate for early supraglottic cancer. Postoperative com-plication included bleeding in three cases who were controlled by electrocautery under general anesthsia, one case of longstanding aspiration and two cases of laryngeal stenosis as a delayed complication. Conclusion: High control rate suggests that the endoscopic laser assisted supraglottic partial laryngectomy may be a good initial management method for early supraglottic cancer, however it is difficult to determine the resection margin, therefore, accurate tumor staging must be done prior to surgery. In order to prepare for postoperative bleeding, edema and aspiration, the tracheotomy must be performed prior to surgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5385-5389
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• 2012

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a precise procedure for lymphatic staging in early breast cancer. In a valid SLNB procedure, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in nodenegative cases without compromising patient safety. In this study, detection rate, accuracy and false negative rate of SLNB for breast cancer was evaluated in a setting with simple modified conventional pathology facilities without any serial sectioning or immunohistochemistry. Material and Medthod: Patients with confirmed breast cancer were enrolled in the study. SLNB and ALND were performed in all cases. Lymph node metastasis was evaluated in SLN and in nodes removed by ALND to determine the false negative rate. Pathologic assessment was carried out only by modified conventional technique with only 3 sections. Detection rate was determined either by lymphoscintigraphy or during surgery. Results: 78 patients with 79 breast units were evaluated. SLN was detected in 75 of 79 cases (95%) in lymphoscintigraphy and 76 of 79 cases (96%) during surgery. SLN metastases was detected in 30 of 75 (40%) cases either in SLNB and ALND groups. Accuracy of SLNB method for detecting LN metastases was 92%. False negative rate was 3 of 30 of positive cases: 10%. In 7 of 10 cases with axillary lymphadenopathy, LN metastastates was detected. Conclusion: SLNB is recommended for patients with various tumor sizes without palpable lymph nodes. In modified conventional pathologic examination of SLNs, at least macrometastases and some micrometastases could be detected similar to ALND. Consequently, ALND could be omitted in node-negative cases with removal of all palpable LNs. We conclude that SLNB, as one of the most important developments in breast cancer surgery, could be expanded even in areas without sophisticated pathology facilities.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2015

Gastric cancer that mimics a submucosal tumor is rare. This rarity and the normal mucosa covering the protuberant tumor make it difficult to diagnosis with endoscopy. We report two cases of advanced gastric cancer that mimicked malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors preoperatively. In both cases, the possibility of cancer was not completely ruled out. In the first case, a large tumor was suspected to be cancerous during surgery. Therefore, total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. In the second case, the first gross endoscopic finding was of a Borrmann type II advanced gastric cancer-like protruding mass with two ulcerous lesions invading the anterior wall of the body. Therefore, subtotal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. Consequently, delayed treatment of cancer was avoided in both cases. If differential diagnosis between malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor and cancer is uncertain, a surgical approach should be carefully considered due to the possible risk of adenocarcinoma.

• 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.15 no.14
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• pp.5787-5791
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• 2014

Background: With increasing survival periods and diversification of treatment methods, treatment of critically ill cancer patients has become an important factor influencing patient prognosis. Patients with cancer are at high risk of infections and subsequent complications. This study investigated the incidence and factors contributing to the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated the incidence of VAP and factors leading to infection in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a cancer center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Results: The incidence of VAP was 2.13 cases per 1,000 days of intubation, and 13 of 288 patients (4.5%) developed VAP. Lung cancer was the most common cancer associated with VAP (N=7, 53.9%), and longer hospital stays and intubation were associated with increased VAP incidence. In the group using a "ventilator bundle," the incidence was 1.14 cases per 1,000 days compared to 2.89 cases per 1,000 days without its use; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.158). Age (${\geq}65$, OR=5.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.29-23.95), surgery (OR=3.78, 95%CI=1.05-13.78), and tracheotomy (OR=4.46, 95%CI=1.00-19.85) were significant VAP risk factors. The most common causative organisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N=4, 30.8% each), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans (N=2, 15.4% each). Conclusions: The incidence of pneumonia among critically ill cancer patients is highest in those with lung cancer, but lower than among non-cancer patients. The length of hospital stay and time on mechanical ventilation are important risk factors for development of VAP. Although not statistically significant, "ventilator bundle" care is an effective intervention that delays or reduces incidence of VAP. Major risk factors for VAP include age (${\geq}65$ years), surgery, and tracheostomy, while fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and multidrug-resistant organisms were identified as the major causative pathogens of VAP in this study.