• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of tumor marker CA 15-3 in the following: the diagnosis of breast cancer relapse after curative mastectomy, and the differentiation or the value of tumor marker by site of metastases. Materials and Methods: Two hundred two patients (median age 48 years) with breast cancer included in the follow-up after curative mastectomy. The tumor marker CA 15-3 was determined by IRMA (CIS BIO INTERNATIONAL, France). Test values > 30 U/ml were considered elevated (positive). Results: Among 202 patients, recurrent diseases were found in 16 patients. CA 15-3 was elevated in 5 of 16 patients with recurrences. There was no false-positive patient who had elevated CA 15-3. Sensitivity and specificity of CA 15-3 for detection of breast cancer recurrence were 31%, and 100%. CA 15-3 was elevated in all of the 4 patients with liver metastases. CA 15-3 was elevated in none of the patients who relapsed with metastasis to bone-only or contralateral breast-only. Conclusion: The tumor marker CA 15-3 in the detection of breast cancer relapse after curative mastectomy is specific, but not sensitive. However, it is useful to rule out liver metastases of breast cancer, which indicates bad prognosis.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.69-81
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• 1983

The biological effect of hyperthermia on the SCK tumor cells in vitro were analyzed in several respects. A comparision of the survival curve of SCK tumor cells in vitro and in vivo following hyperthermia demonstrated that the cytocidal effect of heating is far greater on the cells in vivo than on the cells in vitro. The pH change in the SCK tumor upon being heated at $43.5^\\circC$ started out at 7.05 and increased to 7.18 during the first 7 min of heating and then rapidly declined to 6.67 by 30 min. Contrary to the decrease in pH in the heated tumors, the pH in the muscle increased significantly when heated to $43.5-45.0^\\circC$. Following hyperthermia at $43.5^\\circC$ for 30 min, a maximum increase in the lactic acid content in the tumor and liver was observed at 1 hr and 3 hr, respectively. The increase in the tumor was followed by a gradual decrease below the control level, whereas the increase in the liver was maintained at quite a steady level for 24 hr. The hyperthermia at $43.5^\\circC$ for 1 hr exhibited a general tendency that high molecular proteins decrease markedly, whereas most of low molecular proteins increase. The most prominent change was that the heat shock protein 70K increased significantly along with other low molecular proteins in heat shocked cells.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4_2
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• pp.1067-1074
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• 2003

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effects of traditional oriental therapies(TOT) on advanced gastric cancer(AGC) patient with metastasis to liver. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical record of a case of AGC patient in stage IV with metastasis to liver who had been treated with TOT for 5 months continuously in East-West Cancer Center of Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University from 5 March 2003 through 22 July 2003. Results : After treated with TOT for the 5 months, most of symptoms were disappeared or improved and tumor size was decreased on abdominal CT compared with the previous result. The hematological results and tumor markers were not increased. Conclusions : From the above results, it could be suggested that TOT have effects on improving symptoms and quality of life as a supportive or curative therapy for AGC patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.150-155
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• 2011

It is a very important diagnosis and evalution of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Korea where hepatitis B-virus is endemic. Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) appears to be a useful tumor marker. This study was purposed to investigate usefulness of PIVKA-II in the diagnosis and fallow-up after treatment of HCC. A total of 418 patients were included in 187 patients (44.7%) of HCC, 83 patients (19.9%) of liver cirrhosis, 74 patients (17.7%) of chronic hepatitis and 74 patients (17.7%) of other liver diseases with serum PIVKA-II levels by Hicatch PIVKA-II kit. PIVKA-II level were analysed for difference of groups and the comparison of treatment responses. The sensitivity and specificity of PIVKA-II in the diagnosis of HCC were 80.2%, 87.0% at the cut-off value of 40 mAU/mL. There were statistically significant difference between the HCC and other groups (p<0.001), before and after PIVKA-II levels after treatment in HCC (p<0.001). PIVKA-II can be used as a useful tumor marker for patients with HCC, especially early diagnosis in high risk groups, treatment response assesment and monitoring of recurrence.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.69-72
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• 2015

Insulinoma, which arises from insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, is a rare tumor in children. Only 5%-10% of insulinomas are malignant and undergo metastasis. We report a case of an 11-year-old girl who experienced hypoglycemia-related seizures induced by an insulinoma; after resection of the primary tumor, she developed hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Laboratory test results indicated marked hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography results were normal; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a solid mass in the pancreatic tail. Therefore, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed. Two months after the surgery, an abdominal MRI revealed multiple nodular lesions in the liver. An US-guided liver biopsy was then performed, and histological examination revealed FNH without necrosis or mitotic activity. The patient has been free of hypoglycemia for 2 years, and recent MRI studies showed a decrease in the size of FNH lesions, without any evidence of metastasis. Even though no metastatic lesions are noted on imaging, close observation and follow-up imaging studies are required in a child with insulinoma that has malignant potential on histopathologic findings.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.166-176
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• 2020

Objectives: This study reports on the effect of Integrative Medicine Therapy (IMT) on a patient with pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis. Methods: One pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis patient was treated using IMT in conjunction with Gemcitabine/Abraxane since September 2019. The cycle was repeated every four weeks for a total of 11 times. At the same time, the patient was treated with IMT. Tumor size was measured by scanning with Computed Tomography (CT). Adverse events were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0. Results: After treatment with Gemcitabine/Abraxane and IMT for eight months, the size of the body and tail of the cancer tumor and several hepatic metastatic regions decreased (partial response, [PR]), size, and number of multiple nodules in both lungs decreased. No evidence of newly developed metastatic lesions was found. The patient has maintained a good treatment outcome and has shown prolonged overall survival. Conclusions: This case demonstrates that treatment with IMT may have substantial benefits for patients with end-stage pancreatic cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.474-477
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• 2002

Equipment to cauterize tumors by an electrically heated Kanthal wire is under development. The wire( alloy of iron, chromium and Aluminum) keeps sufficient strength up to 1400 degrees in Celsius. Although AC 50Hz current source is used in the prototype experiment, RF current will be used in future. The diameter of the Kanthal wire was 0.3 mm which was connected to Kanthal wire of 0.8 mm. The thicker wire was used as a leading wire. The possibility of application of the heating wire in combination with an ultrasound endoscope was determined, where ultrasound endoscope is to be used to monitor the location on the wire and an extent of a tumor in digestive organs. This procedure requires the wire to be applied inside ultrasound transmitting media. First, the wire was applied in the degassed water in which a chicken liver sample was submerged. The wire, however, burned out in water soon after it became red-hot at 12 A. The reason is that large current is required for the wire to become red-hot due to strong convection. Starch paste of 3 weight percent was employed instead of water. This made the wire red-hot approximately at 6 A, showing the increased viscosity of the starch decreased the convection and the wire was cover by the steam. The liver sample was cauterized successively, while the location of the wire and the liver was monitored by an ultrasound diagnosis equipment outside the plastic vessel of the starch paste.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7563-7567
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the first cause of death in cirrhotic patients, mostly due to viral hepatitis with HCV or HBV infection. This study was performed to estimate the true prevalence of viral hepatitis-related HCC and the demographic and clinical-pathological associations with the two virus types. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional observational study enrolled clinical data base of 188 HCC patients and variables included from baseline were age, sex, area of residence, clinical-pathological features such as underlying co-morbidity, presence or absence of liver cirrhosis, macrovascular involvement, tumor extension and metastasis, liver lobes involved, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, and hepatitis serologies. Results: Overall prevalence of HCV- and HBV-related HCC was 66.0% and 34.0%, respectively. Patients with HCV were more likely to develop HCC at advanced age ($52.4{\pm}11.9$ vs. $40.7{\pm}12.09$ years), with highly raised serum AFP levels (${\geq}400ng/ml$) 78.2% (HBV 67.1%), large tumor size (HCV-66% >5 cm, HBV-59.3%), and presence of portal vein thrombosis (8.06%, HBV 1.56%). A binominal multivariate analysis showed that HCV-HCC group were more likely to be cirrhotic (OR=0.245, 95%CI: 0.117, 0.516) and had more than two times higher rate of solitary macrovascular involvement (OR=2.533, 95%CI: 1.162, 5.521) as compared with HBV associated HCC. Conclusions: Statistically significant variations were observed from baseline to clinical-pathological characteristics in HCV vs HBV associated HCC. Our study suggests prompt and early screening for high risk patients so that the rate of progression of these chronic viral diseases to cirrhosis and cancer can be decreased.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2012

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) polymorphism has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese adults, and known to be a mediator of insulin resistance. In this study, we evaluated the role of TNF-${\alpha}$ promoter polymorphisms and insulin resistance in the development of NAFLD in obese children. Methods: A total of 111 obese children (M:F=74:37; mean age, $11.1{\pm}2.0$ yrs) were included. The children were divided into 3 groups: controls (group I, n=61), children with simple steatosis (group II, n=17), and children with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (group III, n=33). Serum TNF-${\alpha}$ levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and TNF-${\alpha}$ -308 and -238 polymorphisms were evaluated. Results: There were no differences in TNF-${\alpha}$ polymorphism at the -308 or the -238 loci between group I and group II + III ($p$=0.134 and $p$=0.133). The medians of HOMA-IR were significantly different between group I and group II + III ($p$=0.001), with significant difference between group II and group III ($p$=0.007). No difference was observed in the HOMA-IR among the genotypes at the -308 locus ($p$=0.061) or the -238 locus ($p$=0.207) in obese children. Conclusion: TNF-${\alpha}$ promoter polymorphisms at the -308 and -238 loci were not significantly associated with the development of NAFLD in children; nevertheless, insulin resistance remains a likely essential factor in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in obese children, especially in the progression to NASH.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.350-356
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• 1994

Purpose : Hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy with Tc-99m-macroggregated albumin (HAPS) study was carried out in 16 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and in six patients without liver tumor to evaluate HAPS findings of hepatocellular carcinoma and usefullness of HAPS. Materials and Methods : HAPS with planar and SPECT study were performed in 22 patients after conventional hepatic or celiac arteriography. For HAPS study, 4-5 mCi of MAA mixed with 2ml of saline was injected into proper hepatic artery or its distal branches at the rate of approximately 1ml/sec. We analysed 21 HCCs over 2cm in diameter(average diameter; 6.4cm) and 17 of 21 HCCs were over 4cm in diameter(Table 1). CT, sonography and angiography were performed within two week in all 16 patients and liver scan was performed in 12 patients. Results : Three different pattern of tumor perfusion were observed in 16 patients with HCC (Table 2). 1) diffuse increased perfusion in 16 of 21(76%)(Fig. 1) 2) increased peripheral perfusion in 4 of 21(19%) (Fig. 2) 3) diffuse decreased perfusion in 1 of 21 (5%) Arteriovenous shunt indicated by lung uptake of MAA were observed in 9 of 16(56%)(Fig. 4). In contrast, angiography demonstrates arteriovenous shunt in 2 of 16(13%). There was no accumulation of radioactivity on RBC-blood pool scan in all six patients with HCC examined (Fig. 1). Conclusion : HAPS is useful study in evaluation of perfusion pattern or vascularity of HCC and in detection of arteriovenous shunt.