• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.44-56
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• 2019

Despite the advances in medical technology, there are limited therapeutic interventions for cancer. Currently, the main goal of treatment is to remove a tumor completely. However, recent studies have shown that mortality is highly influenced by symptoms such as depression and cachexia, not solely by cancer itself. Depression is caused by psychological stress, and cachexia involves extreme weight loss with skeletal muscle atrophy, which are widely observed in patients with cancer. Although those two appear completely different from each other, they have a common etiology: cytokines. The production of cytokines can lead to depression and cachexia, and it contributes greatly to the increase in mortality rate. A better understanding of depression and cachexia in patients with cancer will help establish efficient treatment strategies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.209-216
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• 2007

Objectives : To review and summarize the existing evidence on acupuncture treatment for cancer and cancer related symptoms. Methods: Literature searches were made through domestic and international databases. Data were extracted according to pre-defined criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Jadad scale. Results: Seven studies were included. Two of the studies were high in methodological quality. One study concerning acupuncture treatment for cancerous dyspnea reported insignificant differences between the treatment group and placebo group. The other study concerning auricular acupuncture for cancer related pain showed significant pain relief compared with the control group. All the other studies were non-blinded or uncontrolled trials. Conclusion : The hypothesis that acupuncture may be effective for the treatment of cancer is not supported by the data in recent clinical trials. More accurately designed randomized control trials (RCT) are needed.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1994.02b
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• pp.188-195
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• 1994

To an increasing extent, case-control studies are being undertaken to determine if use of early detection procedures is associated with reduced mortality from cancer. The authors recommend that in such studies the analysis focus on screening activity in cases that occurs during an interval prior to diagnosis in which the cancer is believed to be detectable and still curable and to a corresponding time period in controls. This approach places a heavy burden on the investigator to estimate accurately the period during which the tumor ought to be detectable using the test in question and to sort out reliably tests done in response to signs or symptoms of the cancer from screening tests per se. Nonetheless, the authors feel that it offers the greatest ability to discern a true benefit of screening, while minimizing the numerous potential biases that can be present in this type of study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.574-576
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• 2009

An intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) rarely develops in systemic cancer but is indicative of a poor prognosis. A 56-year-old man was admitted due to weakness of the lower extremities. He had received radiotherapy 3 months prior for a brain metastasis that had developed 1 year after achieving a complete response from chemotherapy for extended stage small cell lung cancer. Although the brain lesion had improved partially, ISCM from the cervical to lumbar-sacral spinal cords, which was accompanied by a leptomeningeal dissemination, was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and cerebrospinal fluid cytology. Finally, he died of sudden cardiac arrest during treatment. This is the first case of ISCM involving the whole spinal segments. Physicians should be aware of the subsequent development of ISCM in lung cancer patients with a previously known brain metastasis who present with new neurological symptoms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.5
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• pp.381-384
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• 2010

Progressive ptosis and headache developed in a 50-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer. Although brain magnetic resonance imaging showed improved cerebellar metastasis after prior radiotherapy without any other abnormality, the follow-up examination taken 6 months later revealed metastasis to the cavernous sinus. The diagnosis of metastasis to the cavernous sinus is often difficult because it is a very rare manifestation of lung cancer, and symptoms can occur prior to developing a radiologically detectable lesion. Therefore, when a strong clinical suspicion of cavernous sinus metastasis exists, thorough neurologic examination and serial brain imaging should be followed up to avoid overlooking the lesion.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2015

Purpose: We evaluated the socio-personal and clinical factors that can affect preoperative quality of life to determine how to improve preoperative quality of life in patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The preoperative quality of life data of 200 patients (68 females and 132 males; mean age $58.9{\pm}12.6years$) with gastric cancer were analyzed according to socio-personal and clinical factors. The Korean versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core (QLQ) 30 and the EORTC QLQ-STO22, a gastric cancer-specific module, were used to assess quality of life. Patients were asked to complete the questionnaire preoperatively by themselves. Results: Patients with a higher academic background and stage I disease tended to have higher global health status scores. Highly educated younger men had better physical functioning scores. Highly educated and well-nourished patients with stage I cancer had higher role functioning scores. Married patients had better emotional scores. The symptom scales were affected by sex, age, education level, nutrition, and cancer stage. Conclusions: Preoperative quality of life in patients with gastric cancer can be improved by nutritional support and treatment of symptoms caused by disease progression. Psychological support may be helpful for patients with a poor quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

In this thesis, Chapter I Introduction suggested the necessity of this research and defined related terms, and Chapter II defined hospice for children and examined the symptoms of pediatric cancers as well as the general characteristics of pediatric cancer patients. In particular, we surveyed the physical condition, psychological and emotional condition, financial condition, environmental aspect, educational aspect and spiritual aspect of pediatric cancer patients’ families, investigated pediatric cancer patients’ parents and siblings with regard to their understanding of the pediatric cancer patients’ death, and lastly considered spiritual care. Chapter III presented summaries and conclusions. In their developmental stage, pediatric cancer patients lack abilities to express themselves and are highly dependent on their parents, so parents who take care of cancer children have to make hard decisions and cancer children’s families are heavily burdened by the situation of preparing their children’s death and sending them away while denying their death, and for this reason they need help from specialists. That is, for pediatric cancer patients, we need highly experienced pediatricians or nurses skilful in managing young terminal patients as well as hospice counseling and family counselors for consulting on family crises. In particular, there is a keen need of child life support specialists. In addition, clergymen’s help is critical for spiritual care to ease the fear and terror of the unknown world, fear of death, etc. Moreover, in order to prevent cancer children from failing to adjust themselves to school life or peer relation after recovery, hospice service should provide cancer children with opportunities to learn school curriculums and associate with friends.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.102-105
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• 2024

Chronic pancreatitis, a significant risk factor for pancreatic cancer, necessitates monitoring for pancreatic cancer development. Chronic pancreatitis can be broadly categorized into hereditary and sporadic. Given the variability in the risk for pancreatic cancer based on the presence and type of genetic mutations, it is crucial to establish and be aware of guidelines for screening and surveillance tailored to each risk level. In cases of hereditary chronic pancreatitis with PRSS1 mutations, patients demonstrated a high incidence of pancreatic cancer, justifying the rationale for screening and surveillance. However, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is relatively low in hereditary chronic pancreatitis with other genetic mutations and sporadic chronic pancreatitis; thus, precise screening and periodic surveillance are not recommended. For individuals with PRSS1 mutation-related hereditary chronic pancreatitis, surveillance may be considered from the age of 40 years. While computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is suitable for pancreatic cancer screening, endoscopic ultrasonography is not recommended because of parenchymal inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification. However, in cases of sporadic chronic pancreatitis where various risk factors for pancreatic cancer coexist, the incidence of pancreatic cancer significantly increases. Therefore, in 5 years after the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, the pancreatic cancer incidence has been observed to continuously increase. In such cases, individualized screening tests and surveillance based on the patient's symptoms and specific circumstances must be considered.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4181-4185
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of male spouse caregivers of breast cancer patients in China, assess their quality of life (QOL), and investigate the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 243 breast cancer patient-spouse caregiver dyads were recruited from four hospitals in Shanxi and Anhui province of China. A cross-sectional design was applied to collect data and the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) was used to measure caregivers' QOL, and the Chinese version of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) was applied to measure patient symptom severity and interference. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the correlations between caregiver burden and QOL. The multiple regression analysis was used to determine the most predictive factors influencing QOL. Results: The scores of all SF-36 scales were above 50.0, which were much lower than that of general mainland Chinese males. Mental QOL was significantly worse than physical QOL. Spouses demographic characteristics, caregiving-related variables and patient symptoms were related to spouse QOL. Caregiver burden has a negative relationship with QOL. Conclusions: A decrease in life events and patient symptoms, as well as increase in spouse sleeping time and family income, ought to improve QOL.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.280-286
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• 2017

Objective: This case series aims to report the efficacy and the safety of using snake venom pharmacopuncture (SVP) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: Three heterogeneous cancer (1 endometrium, 1 cervix, and 1 prostate cancer) patients were referred to the East-West Cancer Center (EWCC), Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, from August 02, 2017, to September 15, 2017, for treatment with SVP, and they were treated with SVP 4 times, 6 times, and 8 times, respectively. During the treatment period, the efficacy of SVP therapy was assessed by using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the stability was evaluated by using blood tests. Following each session, all patients were examined closely for any allergenic responses or adverse effects. Results: All patients showed noticeable improvements of their NRS and CTCAE scores. Except for bleeding and bruising at the SVP injection site, no major side effects were noted. One of the patients reported mild chilling and a sore throat after receiving the second treatment; those symptoms went away after a few hours. No hematologic toxicity, hepatotoxicity, or nephrotoxicity was found on the blood test. Conclusion: The results of this research suggest positive potential benefits of using SVP for treating patients with CIPN. Also, the excellent safety results of SVP seen in this research should lead to larger clinical trials aimed at developing SVP into a potential intervention for managing patients with the symptoms of CIPN.