• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.3051-3056
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• 2015

Background: Skin self-examination (SSE) may facilitate early diagnosis of melanoma at a potentially curable stage. Little data are available concerning the SSE frequency and knowledge about the symptoms of melanoma in non-patient populations. The aim of our study was to assess the performance of skin self-examination, recognition of potential melanoma symptoms as well as behavior related to sun exposure among web users in Poland. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among readers of a scientific portal. Invited respondents were asked to complete an online questionnaire. Finally, statistical analysis was conducted on 4,919 surveys towards potential clinical signs of melanoma and SSE performance. Results: Approximately 60% of respondents had ever performed SSE in their life. Only 18.4 % declared performance on a regular, monthly, basis. Factors promoting this activity were established to be bigger place of residence, higher education and sensitive skin phototype, higher level of knowledge concerning melanoma, safe tanning rules and, especially, past surgical excision of naevi. Declared longer use of tanning beds was linked to understanding better the importance of clinical features of melanoma. Awareness of hazardous behavior during sunbathing is associated with the attempts to change them. Conclusions: Regular SSE is not a common practice, whilst the knowledge about the clinical features of melanoma is varied. Therefore, constant pressure should be put on promotion of regular skin self-examination and teaching its proper techniques, including familiarity with the ABCD (asymmetry; border; color; diameter) rule and its extension of "EFG" (elevated, firm, progressive growth) criteria.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.159-162
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• 2019

The most cases with orbital metastases have been reported in patients with a prior established diagnosis of cancer and widespread systemic involvement. However, ocular symptoms can be developed as an initial presentation of cancer in patients without cancer history. We report a case of rapid progression from trochlear nerve palsy to orbital apex syndrome as an initial presentation of advanced gastric cancer.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.37.1-37.5
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• 2023

Objective: Case report of improvement in joint pain and gum bleeding in a breast cancer patient using OCNT. Methods: A Korean woman in her 60s was diagnosed with breast cancer. After being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, her quality of life has greatly deteriorated due to the side effects of the drugs administered. Results: Improved joint pain and bleeding gums after OCNT Conclusion: The application of OCNT to patients with above problem can help improve symptoms.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was conducted to develop primary assessment tools to evaluate the relationship between symptom prevalence and symptom distress in cancer patients of Korea. Methods : A total of 196 patients diagnosed with cancer admitted in 5 general hospitals from January, 6 to January, 20 in 2003, were entered into the study. These patients were asked to complete the MSAS (Memorial symptom assessment scale). We classified these answers into prevalence and distress and then scored them according to grade and frequency. Results : The five most prevalent symptoms were lack of energy (82.1%), dry mouth (73.5%), pain (73.5%), itching (72.4%), and feeling drowsy (68.9%). Among 24 common prevalent symptoms, the ten most distress the symptoms were dry mouth (2.11), itching (2.07), pain (2.03), lack of energy (1.98), difficulty sleeping (1.96), worrying (1.94), "I don't look like myself" (1.91), constipation (1.88), and difficulty concentration (1.76). Conclusion : These 10 symptoms had high prevalence and distress in cancer patients of Korea. We suggest these symptoms to be applied in developing the primary assessment tool in cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1747-1749
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• 2015

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the major health concerns in Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand. However, only a limited number of studies have been reported from this region. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and survival rate of esophageal cancer in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Clinical information, histological features and endoscopic findings were collected from a tertiary care center in central region of Thailand between September 2011- November 2014 and reviewed. Results: A total of 64 esophageal cancer patients including 58 men and 6 women with mean age of 62.6 years were enrolled. Common presenting symptoms were dysphagia (74%), dyspepsia (10%) and hematemesis (8%). Mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 72 days. Esophageal stenosis with contact bleeding was the most common endoscopic finding (55.6%). The location of cancer was found in proximal (16%), middle (50%) and distal (34%) esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma was far more common histology than adenocarcinoma (84.2% vs 10.5%). However, esophageal adenocarcinoma was significantly more common than squamous cell carcinoma in distal area of esophagus (100% vs 22.9%; p=0.0001, OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.1-2.2). Esophageal cancer stages 3 and 4 accounted for 35.2% and 59.3% respectively. Overall 2-year survival rate was 20% and only 16% in metastatic patients. Conclusions: Most esophageal cancer patients in Thailand have squamous cell carcinoma and nearly all present at advanced stage with a grave prognosis. Screening of high risk individuals and early detection might be important keys to improve the survival rate and treatment outcome in Thailand.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2017

Backgrounds: The demand of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including Korean Medicine (KM) is increasing worldwide. But cancer patients (CP) still have a difficulty in gathering CAM information or communicating with their doctors, and clinical status in cancer care is unclear in the field of KM in Korea especially. The aim of this study is to examine clinical status of KM for cancer symptom care by KM doctors in medical service institutions. Methods: Total forty nine KM doctors completed the site survey questionnaire. The questionnaire items were to list chief symptom complaints of CP treated with KM and effective KM therapies. Results: The majority of the respondents were general physicians without KM specialist board (67.4%) who have 10-20 years clinical experience with CP (55.1%). Primary cancer lesion, diagnostic status, and treatment period were not different in KM clinical service institutions. In chief symptom complaints of CP treated with KM, gastrointestinal (32.9%), musculoskeletal (19.9%), circulatory & respiratory (16.2%), psychiatric (14.1%), urinary (5.8%) symptoms were in turn. In effective KM therapies assessed by KM doctors, xerostomia (45.7%) and cancer-related fatigue (44.8%) were more effective with herbal treatments. Peripheral neuropathy (43.4%), depression, insomnia (38.2%), and cancer pain (31.9%) were preferred to treat using acupuncture. Conclusion: The CP treated with KM used evenly KM medical service institutions regardless of hospital size, and there will be further survey for CP treated KM in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4433-4437
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• 2016

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Since development is usually asymptomatic, it is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage. The value of screening in patients with nonspecific symptoms for GC is controversial. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate whether hematological parameters (platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), MPV/PC ratio, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR)) are useful markers to differentiate between gastric cancer patients and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients with gastric cancer and sixty-one healthy individuals were enrolled to the survey and retrospective analysis of selected blood parameters were performed. Results: The mean values of PC, MPV, RDW, NLR, and PLR were significantly higher in GC patients compared to the control group. No statistical differences were observed in MPV/PC ratios. Likewise, no significant statistical differences were revealed in values of blood parameters among TNM stage groups. The RDW showed the highest diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. Conclusions: Hematological parameters: PC, MPV, RDW, NLR, PLR have diagnostic power and can discriminate patients with gastric cancer from patients without cancer. Blood parameters compared with clinical symptoms might alert physicians and patients and lead to performancce of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the gold standard in gastric cancer screening and therebly increase the early detection of cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.128-136
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• 2009

Objective: To investigate a clinical worth of combination therapy of Oriental and conventional cancer treatment focusing on reduction of chemotherapy-induced side effects. Methods: 110 patients treated by Oriental treatment after intravenous or oral chemotherapy were reviewed, from January, 2005 to April, 2008 at the East-West Cancer Center of Dunsan Oriental hospital. Symptoms were investigated by National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) Version 2.0. Results: 80% patients of 110 patients had at least one symptom among eight main side effects (neutropenia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, constipation, headache). The presence of those was as follows: nausea 63%, anorexia 61 %, neutropenia 45%, vomiting 28%, constipation 21 %, headache 19%, diarrhea 11 %, and stomatitis 10%. Except neutropenia, above symptoms has ameliorated by Oriental treatment in seven treat days. Conclusions: This study first presented the general characteristics of cancer patients treated by Oriental and conventional therapy, and showed a clinical potential of combinational therapy aiming to chemotherapy-induced side effects.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Traditional Korean Medicine as an adjunctive management for breast cancer treatment. Methods : A 56 year-old female patient diagnosed with stage IA(pT1cN0M0) of breast cancer was admitted our hospital. The patient had surgical resection followed by radiation therapy, and conducted adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitor. The patient's chief complaints were dry cough, thirst and fatigue, all of which were caused by radiation therapy. Traditional Korean herbal medicine was prescribed for symptom management. The patient's subjective symptoms such as cough, thirst and fatigue were evaluated by NRS. Results : Fatigue was significantly improved within a week. The severity of dry cough and thirst also was decreased after a few courses of herbal medicine treatment. Conclusion : This case study suggests that Tradition Korean Medicine would be beneficial for the patients who are suffering from adverse effects of the standard treatment of cancer.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2013

Objectives This study reports a case of rectal cancer patient treated with Dokhwaljihwang-tang. Methods The patient's subjective symptoms such as pain, sleeping difficulty, frequent defecation and dysuria were observed and the change of the quality of life(QOL) was evaluated using Functional Assessment of Cancer-Colon (FACT-C). Results After the treatment, symptoms such as pain, sleep disorder, defecation, and urination difficulty ameliorated and the score of the FACT-C improved. Conclusions A rectal cancer patient suffering from adverse consequences from the low anterior resection and the pain induced by the metastases showed the improvement of general condition and the quality of life after treated with Dokhwaljihwang-tang.