• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.2147-2150
• /
• 2013

Gynecological malignancies account for 9% of all female cancers worldwide. In the Arab countries Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women followed by cervical cancer. Ovarian cancer ranks as fourth leading cancer in women. There are huge differences in the available resources among Arab countries. However the challenges facing the provision of gynecological cancers services shared similarities like the cultural and religious background. Most of the gynecological cancers are diagnosed at a later stage in Arab countries due to the lack of reproductive health awareness especially among older women combined with the cultural stigma of seeking medical advice for gynecological symptoms. This article discusses the current situation of gynecological cancer services in Arab countries and suggests some practical solutions.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.358-366
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was aimed to identify the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) among patients with hematologic malignancies and to examine the relationship between the quality of life (QOL) and CIPN. Methods: A total of 66 patients with CIPN-related symptoms participated in this study. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires consisted of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 version 3.0 and the 16-item QLQ-CIPN20. Data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN20 for descriptive statistics using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman's rho. Results: The mean lower and upper extremity scale scores were 31.95 and 23.16 respectively for the 16-item QLQ-CIPN20. The mean QLQ-C30 subcategory scores were 46.84 for global health status, 58.72 for functional scales, and 34.85 for symptom scales. The CIPN-related lower extremity scale symptoms correlated negatively with the QOL subscales. There was no correlation between CIPN-related upper extremity symptoms and health-related QOL. Conclusion: Patients with hematologic malignancies treated with neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents had CIPN-related symptoms in the lower extremities mainly, and their QOL functional subscale scores were relatively lower than those of other cancer patients. Interventions need to be developed for patients with hematologic malignancies to alleviate CIPN and enhance their QOL.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 1989

Dysphagia is common in patients with cancer of the esophagus. The rate of resectability of the lesion is low, and the majority of the patients require palliation to relieve the dysphagia. Celestin tube intubation was performed in patients with unresectable carcinoma of the esophagus, of one with malignant bronchoesophageal fistula. Dysphagia and respiratory symptoms were relieved and the patients became able to eat semi-solid food and fully ambulatory.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.37-49
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPS) is a rare solid tumor and has a high recurrence rate after surgery. New complementary and alternative medicine is required to manage symptoms of RPS and side effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The purpose of this case report is to report two cases of reduction of side effects of surgery and radiation therapy in RPS treated with Wheel Balanced Therapy (WBT) which is a traditional Korean medicine treatment program for patients with cancer. Methods : Two patients with RPS were treated with WBT. Each of patients received personalized WBT schedule including acupuncture. The changes in clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. Results : The symptoms of patients were improved after about 2 weeks hospitalization. Conclusions : This case report suggests that WBT has a potential to treat side effects of surgery and radiation therapy in patients with RPS. Further rigorous studies are necessary to investigate the therapeutic effects of WBT on RPS.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 2001

Purpose: The common features of brain metastases from gastric cancer are unknown because brain metastasis is an uncommon pattern of metastasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features of and the prognosis for patients with brain metastases after a curative resection for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one (21) cases of patients with brain metastases of gastric cancer, who had been treated at the Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, were assessed retrospectively. Results: The mean age was $55.8\pm9.6$ years (range: $34\~70$ years), and the male-to-female ratio was 2.5 : .1. The most common neurologic symptom was headache ($38.5\%$), and no patient was free from the neurologic symptoms. The incidence of parenchymal metastasis (PM: $76.2\%$) was higher than that of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM: $19.0\%$). Patients with gastric cancer and brain metastasis showed high rates of blood and lymphatic vessel invasion (lymphatic vessel invasion: $85.7\%$; blood vessel invasion: $80.9\%$). According to Lauren's classification, the incidence of intestinal types was 14/21 ($66.7\%$), that of diffuse types was 3/21 ($14.3\%$) and that of mixed types was 4/21 ($19.0\%$). The mean interval between the gastrectomy and the diagnosis of brain metastasis was $24.7\pm4.0$ months (PM: 26.8 months; LM: 20.3 months). The median period of survival after diagnosis of brain metastasis was 2 months for paren chymal metastasis and 0 months for leptomeningeal metastasis. Conclusion:.. During a follow-up period, patients with neurologic symptoms should be suspected of having brain metastasis. Early diagnosis and treatment is the only hope to prolong survival in such patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.1217-1224
• /
• 2012

Background and Aim: Less than 50% of oral cancer cases are diagnosed at early stages of the disease and this is in part due to poor awareness and lack of knowledge on the signs and symptoms of oral cancer. This study sought to measure the baseline awareness of oral cancer in Malaysia and aimed to increase public awareness and knowledge of oral cancer using a mass media campaign. Methods: Baseline awareness and impact of the campaign was measured using self-administered questionnaires sent via email to individuals. The campaign was aired on two national television channels and the reach was monitored through an independent programme monitoring system. Results: 78.2% of respondents had heard of oral cancer, and this increased significantly after the campaign. However, the ability to recognize signs and symptoms remains unchanged. We found that the level of awareness differed between the distinct ethnic subgroups and the reach of the campaign was not uniform across all ethnicities. Conclusion: This substantial study to measure the oral cancer awareness in Malaysia provides important baseline data for the planning of public health policies. Despite encouraging evidence that a mass media campaign could increase the awareness of oral cancer, further research is required to address the acceptability, comprehensiveness and effectiveness. Furthermore, different campaign approaches may be required for specific ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic country such as Malaysia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.1187-1191
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the use of screening for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers, which are included in the Korean National Cancer Screening Programme. In 2011 the National Cancer Centre in Korea conducted a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional interview survey using multi-stage random sampling. Participants included 4,100 cancer-free men 40 years and over of age and women over 30 years of age. The lifetime screening rates for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers were 76.2%, 54.3%, 56.1%, 79.0%, and, 74.8%, respectively. The rates of recommended screening for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers were 64.6%, 22.9%, 35.3%, 60.4%, and 62.4%, respectively. More than 70% of all screening was attributed to organised cancer screening programmes. The main reason given for non attendance was 'no symptoms'. A greater effort is needed to increase screening rates, especially for liver and colorectal cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.6459-6463
• /
• 2013

We investigated the cancer screening rates for five types of cancer (stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervix uteri) using data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS), which is a nationwide, annual cross-sectional survey. The eligible study population included cancer-free men 40 years of age and older and women 30 years of age and older. The lifetime screening rate and screening rate with recommendation were calculated. The lifetime screening rates for gastric, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers were 77.9%, 69.9%, 65.8%, 82.9%, and 77.1%, respectively. The screening rates with recommendation were 70.9%, 21.5%, 44.7%, 70.9%, and 67.9%, respectively. The most common reason for all types of cancer was "no symptoms", followed by "lack of time" and "fear of the examination procedure". Efforts to facilitate participation in liver and colorectal cancer screening among Korean men and women are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.459-466
• /
• 2005

Ascites is the retention of body fluids in abdominal cavity, which is induced by salt increase, and disorders in such things as water retention and albumin synthesis. Ascites are especially common in cases of progressed liver cirrhosis and metastatic cancer. One patient was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and Metastatic cancer at Rt. liver from Lt. ovarian tumor by abdominal CT. To measure the response to treatment of ascites, these clinical symptoms were observed: weight, abdominal circumference, and lab findings. Clinical symptoms and ascites were improved after oriental medical treatment. Abdominal circumference decreased. Results suggest oriental medical treatment was effective for this patient for this disease, but more extensive research is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.278-284
• /
• 1982

As of today, the frequency of primary lung cancer is one of the improved problems in modern medicine and is increasing rapidly year by year. This study dealed with 138 cases of primary lung cancer proved by histopathologic examination in Thoracic & Card iovascular Surgery Dept. of N.M.C. from Sept. 1966 through June 1981. The majority of patients belong to 5th and 6th decade. Ratio between male and female was 3.7: 1. Initial symptoms were cough, blood tinged sputum, hemoptysis, chest pain, dyspnea and duration of symptoms before admission was within 6 months [60%] and 12 months [78%]. Histopathologically, 64 cases [61%] of them were the squamous cell carcinoma, 21 cases [15%] were the adenocarcinoma, 20 cases [14.8%] were the anaplastic carcinoma. Fifty-six cases were resectable: 43 cases were subjected to pneumonectomy and 13 cases were to lobectomy. The remaining 82 cases were nonresectable, but exploratory thoracotomy was performed in 22 cases of them. Among 56 resected cases, 33 cases were radically operated and 17 cases were subjected to palliative operation and 6 cases were subjected to extended operation. [Concomitant pericardium resection in 1 case and concomitant chest wall resection in 5 cases]. Surgical mortality was 10.7% and causes of death were aspiration of contralateral lung, respiratory insufficiency, postop. empyema with B.P.F, cardiogenic failure. This study analysed the cancer stage between preop clinical T.N.M. stage and postop. T.N.M. stage in 78 cases; resectable 56 cases and non-resectable 22 cases.