• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.205-209
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• 2001

Purpose: Most cases of primary hyperparathyroidism are due to parathyroid adenoma or parathyroid hyperplasia. Parathyroid carcinoma is a very rare cause of hyperparathyroidism. Although the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma is usually established by pathologic criteria especially of vascular or capsular invasion, some clinical and biochemical features differentiate it from benign forms of hyperparathyroidism. We under-took a retrospective study in 6 patients with parathyroid carcinoma, with the aim of conveying experience from management for this rare cause of hyperparathyroidism. Methods: Clinical symptoms, biochemical laboratory, radiologic, and intraoperative findings, local recurrence and distant metastasis were analyzed in 6 patients diagnosed pathologically as a parathyroid carcinoma after operation from 1992 to 2001. Results: Mean age was 50.2 years (33.0-60.0 years) and male to female ratio was 1:1. Neck mass was found in 5 patients, multiple bone pain in 3 patients and renal stone in 1 patient. One case has suffered from chronic renal failure for 19 years. Although preoperative laboratory evaluations showed the aspects of hyperparathyroidism in all cases, mean serum calcium level was 11.2mg/dl(10.5-12.1mg/dl), slightly elevated. Laboratory values after surgery were within the normal range in 5 cases. However, in one case with chronic renal failure, serum PTH levels, serially checked, were above the normal range. Any of imaging methods failed to suggest a parathyroid carcinoma preoperatively. Parathyroid adenoma was suspected in 3 cases, thyroid cancer in the other cases before surgery. The extent of resection was radical resection of parathyroid lesion with more than unilateral thyroid lobectomy and central compartment neck node dissection and in 2 cases, the resection of recurrent laryngeal nerve or strap muscles was added. During follow-up period, any local or systemic recurrence were not evident in all the cases. Conclusion: Although parathyroid carcinoma is a rare disease and its preoperative diagnosis, in our experience, could not easily be made, the understanding of characteristic clinical and biochemical feature could help diagnosis at first surgery. Radical resection without remaining residual tumor is most important for the management of the parathyroid cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10451-10456
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• 2015

Background: We defined melanoma distribution in a large series of Turkish patients and evaluated the prognostic parameters of melanomas. Materials and Methods: A total of 1574 patients' data was retrospectively collected at 18 centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics were questioned and noted. Prognostic parametres were evaluated based on sentinel lymph node involvement. Results: Mean age was 56.7 (4-99) years. While 844 (53.6%) cases were male, 730 (46.4%) cases were female. One thousand four hundred forty-seven (92%) cases were invasive melanoma and 127 (8%) cases were in-situ melanoma. The most common histopathological form was the superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) which was found in 549 patients (37.9%). It was followed by nodular melanoma in 379 (26.2%), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) in 191 (13.2%) and lentigo maligna melanoma in 132 (9.1%), respectively. On univariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (p<0.001), tumor thickness (p<0.001), histopathological subtype (p<0.001), Clark level (p=0.001), ulceration (p<0.001), ${\geq}6/mm^2$ mitosis (p=0.005), satellite formation (p=0.001) and gender (p=0.03) were found to be associated with sentinel lymph node positivity. Regression was associated with sentinel lymph node negativity (p=0.017). According to multivariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion and tumor thickness were significant independent predictive factors of SLN positivity. Patient age, tumor localization, precursor lesions, lymphocytic infiltration and neurotropism were not related with sentinel lymph node involvement. Conclusions: In this retrospective analysis, it was found that the prevalence of SSM is at a lower rate while the prevalence of ALM is at a higher rate when compared to western countries. According to Breslow index; most of the melanoma lesions' thickness were greater than 2 mm, corresponding Clark IV. Vascular invasion and tumor thickness are the most important factors for sentinel lymph node involvement.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8281-8285
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• 2016

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric malignancy, infection being a serious health problem in Thailand. Recently, clarithromycin resistant H. pylori strains represent the main cause of treatment failure. Therefore this study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin in Suranaree University of Technology Hospital, Suranree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Northeastern Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast of Thailand. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out between June 2014 and February 2015 with 300 infected patients interviewed and from whom gastric mucosa specimens were collected and proven positive by histology. The gastric mucosa specimens were tested for H. pylori and clarithromycin resistance by 23S ribosomal RNA point mutations analysis using real-time polymerase chain reactions. Correlation of eradication rates with patterns of mutation were analyzed by chi-square test. Results: Of 300 infected patients, the majority were aged between 47-61 years (31.6%), female (52.3%), with monthly income between 10,000-15,000 Baht (57%), and had a history of alcohol drinking (59.3%). Patient symptoms were abdominal pain (48.6%), followed by iron deficiency anemia (35.3%). Papaya salad consumption (40.3%) was a possible risk factor for H. pylori infection. The prevalence of H. pylori strains resistant to clarithromycin was 76.2%. Among clarithromycin-resistant strains tested, all were due to the A2144G point mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. Among mutations group, wild type genotype, mutant strain mixed wild type and mutant genotype were 23.8%, 35.7% and 40.5% respectively. With the clarithromycin-based triple therapy regimen, the efficacy decreased by 70% for H. pylori eradication (P<0.01). Conclusions: Recent results indicate a high rate of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin. Mixed of wild type and mutant genotype is the most common mutant genotype in Nakhon Ratchasima province, therefore the use of clarithromycin-based triple therapy an not advisable as an empiric first-line regimen for H. pylori eradication in northeast region of Thailand.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.6
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• pp.303-311
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• 2012

Background: This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of gefitinib as a second-line therapy, according to the clinical characteristics in Korean patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: In this Phase IV observational study, we recruited patients, previously failed first-line chemotherapy, who had locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, and who were found to be either epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive or satisfied 2 or more of the 3 characteristics: adenocarcinoma, female, and non-smoker. These patients were administered with gefitinib 250 mg/day, orally. The primary endpoints were to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) and to determine the relationship of ORRs, depending on each patient's characteristics of modified intent-to-treat population. Results: A total of 138 patients participated in this study. One subject achieved complete response, and 42 subjects achieved partial response (ORR, 31.2%). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that the ORR was significantly higher in patients with EGFR mutation-positive, compared to that of EGFR mutation-negative (45.8% vs. 14.0%, p=0.0004). In a secondary efficacy variable, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.7 months (95% confidence interval, 3.9~8.4 months) and the 6-month PFS and overall survival were 49.6% and 87.9%, respectively. The most common reported adverse events were rash (34.4%), diarrhea (26.6%), pruritus (17.5%), and cough (15.6%). Conclusion: Gefitinib was observed in anti-tumor activity with favorable tolerability profile as a second-line therapy in these selected patients. When looking at EGFR mutation status, EGFR mutation-positive showed strong association with gefitinib by greater response and prolonged PFS, compared with that of EGFR mutation-negative.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6451-6455
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• 2015

Background: Primary bone neoplasms are rare, contributing only 0.2% of the global burden of all human malignancies. Osteosarcoma (OS) and chondrosarcoma (CS) are the most common malignancies of bone. The giant cell tumor of bone (GCTb) is a benign tumor with behavior characterized by osteolytic bone destruction. The OS, CS and GCTb affect both sexes, all races and generally have incidence peaks regarding the age of the patient which vary according to the tumor type. We analyzed the incidences of OS, CS and GCTb and their relations with gender and age in patients treated in the National Rehabilitation Institute (INR, for its acronym in Spanish) over a period of nine years. Materials and Methods: In the study period, clinic pathological data for 384 patients were obtained with clinical, radiological and histopathological diagnosis for OS, GCTb and CS. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: From 2006 to 2014 were recorded 384 cases of bone malignancies in the database of INR. The GCTb had the highest incidence (53.1%), followed by OS (31.3%) and finally the CS (15.6%). The overall average age was $33.6{\pm}15.8$ years and the overall frequency of gender had a ratio of 1/1.03 male/female. The states with the highest incidence were Distrito Federal and Estado de Mexico with 29.2% and 25.3% respectively. Malignant neoplasms of bone assessed in the course of nine years show three significant increases in 2008, 2011 and 2014 (p=0.14). We found association between sex and tumor type (p=0.03), GCTb and CS predominated in females (54.9% and 56.6% respectively), while for the OS males were most affected (59.1%). Age was different in relation with tumor type (p=0.0001), average age was $24.3{\pm}11.2$ years for OS, $34.5{\pm}13$ years for GCTb and $49.2{\pm}18.5$ years for CS. Furthermore, associations of tumor type with topographic location of the primary tumor (P=0.0001) were found. Conclusions: In this study we can see that incidence of musculoskeletal tumor in our population is continuously increasing and in nine years an approximately 200% increase of musculoskeletal tumor cases was observed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6267-6272
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• 2015

Background: Extra nodal lymphoma (ENL) constitutes about 33 % of all non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 18-28% develops in the head and neck region. A multimodality treatment with multi-agent chemotherapy (CT) and radiotherapy (RT) is considered optimum. Materials and Methods: We retrieved the treatment charts of patients of HNENL treated in our institute from 2001-2012. The charts were reviewed and the demographic, treatment details and outcome of HNENL patients were retrieved using predesigned pro-forma. Results: We retrieved data of 75consecutive patients HNENL. Median age was 47years (Range: 8-76 years). Of the 75 patients 51 were male and 24 were female. 55patients were evaluable. The patient and tumor characteristics are summarized in Table 1. All patients were staged comprehensively with contrast enhanced computed tomography of head, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy 66 patients received a combination multi-agent CT with CHOP being the commonest regimen. 42 patients received 4 or lesser number of cycles of chemotherapy whereas 24received more than 4 cycles chemotherapy. Post radiotherapy, 41 out of 42 patients had a complete response at 3 months. Only 21patients had a complete response after chemotherapy. All patients received radiation (mostly involved field radiation) as a part of the treatment. The median radiation dose was 45 Gray (Range: 36 Gray-50 Gray). The radiation was planned by 2D fluoro simulation based technique in 37cases and by 3 Dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) in 36 cases. Two patients were planned by the intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique. IMRT was planned for one thyroid and one nasal cavity primary. 5 patients experienced relapse after a median follow up of 19 months. The median survival was not reached. The estimated two and three year survival were 92.9% (95%CI- 68.6- 95.35) and 88% (95%CI- 60.82 - 92.66) respectively. Univariate analysis revealed higher stage and poorer baseline performance status to be significantly associated with worse progression free survival. 5 patients progressed (relapse or primary disease progression) after treatment. Of the 5 patients, two patients were primary orbital NHL, two patients had NHL nasal cavity and one was NHL thyroid. Conclusions: Combined modality treatment in HNENL confers excellent disease control with acceptable side effects.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective multi-institutional study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,000 patients were enrolled in this study at seven different hospitals in Seoul, Korea between October 2009 and May 2010. The nutritional status of patients after receiving 3 weeks of RT was evaluated using subjective global assessment (SGA). The nutritional status of each patient was rated as well nourished (A), moderately malnourished (B), or severely malnourished (C). Results: The mean age of patients in this study was $59.4{\pm}11.9$ years, and the male to female ratio was 7:3. According to the SGA results, 60.8%, 34.5%, and 4.7% of patients were classified as A, B, or C, respectively. The following criteria were significantly associated with malnutrition (SGA B or C; p < 0.001): loss of subcutaneous fat or muscle wasting (odds ratio [OR], 11.473); increased metabolic demand/stress (OR, 8.688); ankle, sacral edema, or ascites (OR, 3.234); and weight loss ${\geq}5%$ (OR, 2.299). Conclusion: SGA was applied successfully to assess the nutritional status of most patients. The prevalence of malnutrition in a radiation oncology department was 39.2%. The results of this study serve as a basis for implementation of nutrition intervention to patients being treated at radiation oncology departments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4769-4774
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• 2013

This paper is the first to present the incidence and overall survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) from the extreme northern part of the Philippines. We retrospectively retrieved the records of patients with histologically-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, from 2003 to 2012 and analysed prognostic factors associated with survival. Of the 150 cases, only 80 (53.3%) were still living when the study was terminated. Median age at initial diagnosis was 61.5 years and the male to female ratio was 7:3. The majority of the cases had tumours in the oral cavity (50.7%), followed by the larynx (36.7%). Sex (log rank=1.94, p value/${\alpha}$=0.16), tumor site (log rank=0.02, p value/${\alpha}$=0.90), tumor grade (log rank=1.74, p value/${\alpha}$=0.42), and node stage (log rank=0.07, p value/${\alpha}$=0.80) were not shown to be associated with the survival of our cases. Only 45 (30.0%) had no regional lymph node involvement (N0) at presentation and 12 (8.0%) had already developed distant metastases. Among the 150 patients, 71 (47.3%) were not able to receive treatment of any kind. Oddly, treatment (log rank=1.65, p value/${\alpha}$=0.20) was also shown to be not associated with survival. The survival rate of those who underwent surgery, radiotherapy, or both was not statistically different from those who did not receive any treatment. Only the tumor stage (log rank=4.51, p value/${\alpha}$=0.03) was associated with patient survival. The overall mean survival was 49.3 months, with survival rate diminishing from 88.3% during the 1st year to 1.80% by end of the study. This relatively low survival rate of our cases only reflects their poor access to quality diagnostic and treatment facilities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5185-5188
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• 2013

Background: We aimed to evaluate prognostic factors and response rates to various treatment approaches to patients with synovial sarcoma in an advanced setting. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 patients (18 pts; 32.7% women) diagnosed with synovial sarcomas. Twenty had metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis while the remainder of the study group consisted of patients who developed metastatic or inoperable locally advanced disease during follow up. Results: The median follow up time was 15 months (range: 1-53). Regarding outcomes for the 55 patients, 3 and 5 year overall survival rates were 26% and 14%, respectively. In univariate analyses among demographic factors female gender was associated with a better outcome (p=0.030). Patients with early progressing disease (<2 years) had a worse prognosis when compared to patient group with late relapse, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.056). According to multivariate Cox regression analysis patients who had undergone metastasectomy had a significant survival advantage (p=0.044). The overall response rate to different salvage chemotherapy regimens given as second line treatment was around 42.9-53.9% for all regimes. There were no statistically significant differences between chemotherapy regimens given in either second or third line settings in terms of overall survival. Conclusions: We observed no major differences in terms of response rate and survival between different salvage chemotherapy regimens. Although metastatic disease still carries a poor prognosis, metastasectomy was found to be associated with improved survival.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a PNF intervention using elastic bands on edema, range of motion (ROM), and pain in post-mastectomy patients with upper limb lymphedema, according to their hand grip type. Methods: The subjects were 14 female patients who were at Stage II lymphedema after undergoing mastectomy for Stage II breast cancer. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (n =7) and a control group (n = 7). Both groups participated in a treatment program four times (one time under the therapist's instructions and three times as self-exercise) a week for 4 weeks. Both groups repeated an upper limb PNF pattern exercise for 30 min using elastic bands after receiving a manual lymph drainage treatment for 1 hour. Here, subjects in the experimental group performed the PNF exercise with an open-hand grip by putting their hands into the loops of elastic bands and keeping their fingers spread out. Subjects in the control group performed the PNF exercise with a closed-hand grip by holding the loops of elastic bands with their fingers. In both groups, the subjects' edema, ROM, and pain levels were measured before the intervention and 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results: As a result of the experiment, both groups demonstrated edema reductions, ROM increases, and pain reductions in four areas of the upper limbs. Notably, the experimental group exhibited larger ROM increases in flexion, extension, and abduction as well as greater edema and pain reductions than the control group. In particular, the most significant effects were found in the elbow of the four upper limb areas for edema reductions and in extension for ROM increases. Conclusion: The present study indicates that exercise therapy-based approaches using elastic bands in post-mastectomy patients with upper limb lymphedema can have different effects depending on the type of hand grip (open or closed), which is the body's most distal part. Therefore, these approaches should be based on the conditions of the distal parts of the patient's body for their effective applications in clinical practice.