• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제26권10호
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• pp.769-774
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• 1993

Thoracic empyema is defined as purulent pleural effusion or effusion with positive bacteriology. Recently, the empyema has markedly decreased by developement of antibiotics, but empyemas following thoracotomy were occasionaly reported. During the period of January, 1985 to May,1991, 18 patients with postthoracotomy empyema have been treated in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital.There were 17 males and 1 female ranged from 18 years to 67 years of age. The underlying diseases of empyema were tuberculosis [50%], lung cancer [33.3%], esophageal cancer [11.1%],and aspergillosis with tuberculosis[5.6%]. In surgical procedures causing the empyema, there were lobectomy[38.9%], pneumonectomy[22.2%], decortication[16.7%], decortication & lobectomy[11.1%], and esophagectomy [11.1%]. Etiologic organisms in the pleural fluid were Pseudomonas [27.7%], S.aureus [16.7%], mixed infection [16.7%], K.pneumonia [5.6%], M.tuberculosis [5.6%], and no isolation [27.7%]. In 6 cases with BPF, completion pneumonectomy was performed in 1 case, and open thoracostomy in 5 cases. In 12 cases without BPF, closed thoracostomy was performed in 1 case, decortication in 2 cases, decortication & open thoracostomy in 2 cases, and open thoracostomy in 7 cases. In 6 cases with BPF, the fistulas were closed in 4 cases at follow up, the other 2 cases died from pulmonary insufficiency after completion pneumonectomy and open thoracostomy,respectively. In 12 cases without BPF, the empyema cavities were filled with expanded lungs and granulation tissues, except 1 case died from sepsis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.58-62
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• 2016

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common primary mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and usually appear as a well-circumscribed mass. However, it may be difficult to confirm the extent of the disease for some GISTs. A 70-year-old asymptomatic female presented for a regular physical exam. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a 2.0 cm protruding mass on the gastric fundus. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed an ill-defined heterogenous hypoechoic lesion ($3.0{\times}1.5cm$). A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a 4.5 cm multifocal calcified mass at the gastric body as well as at the gastric fundus. Laparoscopic gastric wedge resection was performed according to the extent of multifocal calcifications that are shown on the CT. Intraoperative specimen mammography and intraoperative biopsy might be helpful to obtain a tumor-free margin. Final pathologic diagnosis was an intermediate risk GIST in multilobular form. In patients with diffuse multifocal calcifications in the stomach, the possibility of GIST should be considered.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.22-27
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• 2024

A 74-year-old female presented with a complaint of dry mouth, continuous spontaneous burning sensation in the tongue, and asymptomatic submucosal soft tissue mass on both sides of the lower labial mucosa. She refused to undergo total excision of the mass due to concern about the possibility of complications such as nerve damage because of the large size of the mass. As her clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging indicated the possibility of Sjögren's syndrome, a biopsy of the minor salivary gland of the right lower lip was performed. Consequently, she was diagnosed with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Although the patient had typical signs and symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome, the histopathological result of MALT lymphoma made it impossible to determine whether the patient had a history of Sjögren's syndrome. For patients with risk factors for MALT lymphoma, such as Sjögren's syndrome, a biopsy of the labial minor salivary gland with immunohistochemical staining can be helpful in the diagnosis of not only Sjögren's syndrome but also MALT lymphoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.2923-2927
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is one of the important health problems in Turkey, being very common and highly lethal. The aim of this study was to determine clinical, demographic features and risk factors. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred and sixth-three patients with HCC from 13 cities in Turkey were included in this study. Results: Only 205 (21%) of the 963 patients were women, with a male:female predominance of 4.8:1 and a median age of 61 years. The etiologic risk factors for HCC were hepatitis B in 555 patients (57.6%), 453 (81%) in men, and 102 (19%) in women, again with male predominance, hepatitis C in 159 (16.5%), (14.9% and 22.4%, with a higher incidence in women), and chronic alcohol abuse (more than ten years) in 137 (14.2%) (16.8% and 4.9%, higher in males). The Child-Pugh score paralleled with advanced disease stage amd also a high level of AFP. Conclusions: According to our findings the viral etiology (hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections) in the Turkish population was the most important factor in HCC development, with alcohol abuse as the third risk factor. The Child-Pugh classification and AFP levels were determined to be important prognostic factors in HCC patients.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.432-441
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• 2013

Objectives Despite the treatment with antibiotics, patients with sepsis has a high mortality (80%) in the underlying disease group. The aim of this study was to report the improvement of septic condition of the cholangiocarcinoma patient after the treatment with Handayeolso-tang, Fel Tauri, and antibiotics. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records. The patient's subjective symptoms such as chilling and abdominal pain were evaluated by NRS and the performance status was evaluated by ECOG. This case was literally compared with relevant published studies on prognosis of sepsis. Results Despite poor prognostic factor(MEDS score 18), the patient's symptoms such as fever, chilling, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and ECOG(Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) improved. The patient was hemodynamically stabilized on 3rd day from the treatment, and her laboratory test results were normalized on 7th day. Conclusions A female patient of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma came to the hospital for cholangitis, later causing septic shock. Both her symptoms and laboratory tests showed significant improvement after the treatment of antibiotics, Handayeolso-tang and Fel Tauri. To our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the synergistic combination of Korean oriental medicine and Western medicine approaching to sepsis.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.113-118
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• 2002

Conventional radiograph, computed tomograph (CT), magnetic resonance image (MRI) are commonly used methods for diagnosis of oro-maxillofacial cancer. MRI is an effective tool to verify soft tissue lesion however, metal produces black artifacts in the image. Therefore, metal structure should be removed before taking MRI to diagnose head and neck cancer patients. A 52-year-old female patient with adenocarcinoma in the posterior right soft palate was referred to take a MRI before surgery. She has 7-unit porcelain fused to metal bridge in the maxilla. Eight-unit Tagis-Vectris fixed partial denture was fabricated to replace her existing PFM bridge to take a MRI without any artifact before and after surgery. The patient satisfied with her restorations in terms of esthetics, function after 11 months. Even though minor staining was detected, Tagis-Vectris restoration fixed partial denture was intact during observation period.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3219-3222
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• 2012

A comparative study between 17 Japanese and 19 Indian patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) revealed that the tumour prognostic indicator mean vessel density (MVD) count for angiogenesis was relatively high at 57.1 in Indian as compared to 39.3 in Japanese (P=0.001) cases, whereas the lymph-vessel density (LVD) count for lymphangiogenesis was lower (12.8 vs 48.0, P=0.002). Both male and female Indians had higher MVD counts, but LVD counts were only slightly lower in females. MVD count was relatively high among the cases below 65 years old in both the countries (P=0.4). Japanese cases with Tongue cancer had higher MVD count, but the Indian cases had lower LVD counts. Size-wise, T2 and T3 had higher counts of MVD both in Indian and Japanese cases. MVD and LVD count was higher in grades II and III both in Japanese and Indian cases. There was insignificant difference of the MVD counts among smokers, but the tobacco chewers in Indian cases had higher counts of MVD and LVD (P value by Bartlett test 0.35, 0.57 respectively). The hot-spots of tumour sites had variable rates of lymphocyte infiltration showed higher MVD counts in all the cases. Although the clinical characteristics and demographic variables usually relate to MVD and LVD counts, the tendency of higher values, especially among tobacco chewers, identified as the highest risk group for occurrence of oral cancer needs to be investigated further.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to compare quality of life, sexual function, and depression between a group with sexually active women and the other with sexually inactive women who undertaken mastectomy. Methods: Participants were 106 breast cancer patients who had spouse and participated in self-help group in Gwangju, Korea. The questionnaires were consisted of Quality of Life Index-Cancer Version (Q.L.I.-C), self-rating depression scale, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 14.0 K+ for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANCOVA, and MANOVA. Results: There were no homogeneity at age, job, educational years between sexually active vs. inactive groups. In sexually active group, mean age was 46.1, having job 34.5%, bachelor's degree 38.2%, and pre-menopause 79.2%; for the inactive group 49.6, 10.4%, 12.5%, and 52.7% seperately. There were significant differences in quality of life, sexual function, and depression between two groups when four covariates were controlled. The quality of life and sexual function in sexually active group were significantly higher than inactive group(p<0.001). The depression in sexually active group was significantly lower than inactive group(p<0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates that nurses are needed to counsel and intervene psychosexual approach especially sexually inactive women with breast cancer during the recovery period.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.374-380
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• 2016

Purpose: Patients with unresectable, relapsed, or refractory osteosarcoma need a novel therapeutic agent. Metformin is a biguanide derivative used in the treatment of type II diabetes, and is recently gaining attention in cancer research. Methods: We evaluated the effect of metformin against human osteosarcoma. Four osteosarcoma cell lines (KHOS/NP, HOS, MG-63, U-2 OS) were treated with metformin and cell proliferation was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometric analysis, and migration and wound healing assay were performed. Fourteen female Balb/c-nude mice received KHOS/NP cell grafts in their thigh, and were allowed access to metformin containing water (2 mg/mL) ad libitum. Tumor volume was measured every 3-4 days for a period of 4 weeks. Results: Metformin had a significant antiproliferative effect on human osteosarcoma cells. In particular, metformin inhibited the proliferation and migration of KHOS/NP cells by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and consequent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. It also inhibited the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant KHOS/NP clone cells. Analysis of KHOS/NP xenograft Balb/c-nude models indicated that metformin displayed potent in vivo antitumor effects. Conclusion: Further studies are necessary to explore metformin's therapeutic potential and the possibilities for its use as an adjuvant agent for osteosarcoma.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.31-35
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• 2009

Most gastric candida infections have been reported in immune-insufficient patients with peptic ulcer, but there have been few reports on gastric candidiasis with malignant ulcer in the stomach. We experienced a case of candida infection with gastric carcinoma in a 72-year-old female with diabetic mellitus. The endoscopic view showed multiple whitish necrotic plaques with a huge ulcer in the body of the stomach. The pathologic findings showed that budding yeast and pseudohyphae had infiltrated through the ulcerated stomach wall and the stomach wall contained tubular adenocarcinoma. After treatment with Fluconazole medication for 14 days, the patient underwent total gastrectomy along with D2 lymph node dissection. For the final pathologic results, there was no evidence of any remnant candidiasis, and the patient was discharged without specific complications. Through our experience and with reviewing articles about gastric candidiasis, we recommend that the gastric candidiasis that is accompanied with gastric malignancy should be treated before administering definite treatments for the gastric cancer.