• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2001

Purpose: Three subgroups of stage II stomach cancer (T1N2M0, T2N1M0, T3N0M0) by UICC-TNM staging system show obvious survival difference to each other, which becomes the pitfall of the current staging system. We analyzed the survival and relapse pattern of stage II stomach cancer patients in three subgroups retrospectively to prove the need for change in staging system. Materials and Methods: From July 1989 to December 1995, curative gastric resection was performed in 1,037 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, and among them 268 patients ($26\%$) were in stage II. The number in each of subgroups (T1N2M0, T2N1M0, and T3N0M0) were 17, 139 and 112 respectively. Survival and relapse pattern were analyzed and median follow up period was 46 months. Results: The 3-year cumulative survival rates of T1N2M0, T2N1M0, and T3N0M0 were $50\%,\;80\%,\;and\;76\%$ respectively (p=0.001). And the 3-year cumulative survival rates of T1N2M0 was comparable to those of 2 subgroups of stage IIIa (T2N2M0, T3N1M0), $47\%\;and\;45\%$ (p>0.05). Peritoneal recurrence was the most frequent in T3N0M0. And hematogenous spread was more frequent in T2N1M0 while nodal spread was more frequent in T1N2M0. Ten out of 17 cases of T1N2M0 died of recurrence. Most of them showed submucosal tumor with depressed lesion and mean tumor size was 3.3 cm. Conclusions: Up-staging of T1N2M0 should be considered because it has the lowest survival rate and the worst prognosis among the three subgroups of Stage II stomach cancer patients. In early gastric cancer patients with high-risk factors (large tumor size, invasion into the submucosal layer, and lymphatic vessel involvement), lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy is recommended in an attempt to prevent recurrence in the form of lymph node metastasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6397-6403
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• 2014

Background: Aberrant promoter hypermethylation has been recognized in human breast carcinogenesis as a frequent molecular alteration associated with the loss of expression of a number of key regulatory genes and may serve as a biomarker. The E-cadherin gene (CDH1), mapping at chromosome 16q22, is an intercellular adhesion molecule in epithelial cells, which plays an important role in establishing and maintaining intercellular connections. The aim of our study was to assess the methylation pattern of CDH1 and to correlate it with the expression of E-cadherin, clinicopathological parameters and hormone receptor status in breast cancer patients of Kashmir. Materials and Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the methylation status of CDH1 in 128 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) paired with the corresponding normal tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of E-cadherin, ER and PR. Results: CDH1 hypermethylation was detected in 57.8% of cases and 14.8% of normal adjacent controls. Reduced levels of E-cadherin protein were observed in 71.9% of our samples. Loss of E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with the CDH1 promoter region methylation (p<0.05, OR=3.48, CI: 1.55-7.79). Hypermethylation of CDH1 was significantly associated with age at diagnosis (p=0.030), tumor size (p=0.008), tumor grade (p=0.024) and rate of node positivity or metastasis (p=0.043). Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that abnormal CDH1 methylation occurs in high frequencies in infiltrating breast cancers associated with a decrease in E-cadherin expression. We found significant differences in tumor-related CDH1 gene methylation patterns relevant to tumor grade, tumor size, nodal involvement and age at diagnosis of breast tumors, which could be extended in future to provide diagnostic and prognostic information.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5081-5086
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• 2016

Background: Pathological factors, based mainly on immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histological differentiation, are mostly used to differentiate breast cancer (BC) subtypes. Our present aim was to describe the characteristics and survival of a relapsing BC patient cohort based on clinico-pathologic subtypes determined for the primary tumors. Methods: We used a clinico- pathological definition of BC subtypes based on histological grade (HG), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR),and epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) expression assessed by IHC. We determined variables associated with loco-regional recurrence (LRR), second primaries (SP), systemic recurrence (SR) and post-recurrence survival (PRS). Results: Out of 1,702 patients, 240 (14%) had an event defined as recurrence. Those with recurrent disease were significantly younger than those without,and were initially diagnosed at more advanced stages, with larger tumors, greater lymph nodal involvement and higher HG. With a median follow up of 61 months (1-250), 4.6% of patients without recurrence and 56.6% of patients with an event defined as recurrence had died. The median PRS for the LRR group was 77 months; 75 months for those who developed a SP and 22 months for patients with an SR (p <0.0001). In SR cases, the median PRS was shorter for ER- tumors than for ER+ tumors (15 vs. 26 months, respectively; p = 0.0019, HR 0.44; CI: 0.25-0.44). Conclusions: Subtype, defined through classic histopathologic parameters determined for primary tumors, was found to eb related to type of recurrence and also to prognosis after relapse.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.196-200
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• 2005

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas to form a rational basis for elective contralateral neck management. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 66 N0-2 oral cavity cancer patients undergoing elective neck dissection for contralateral clinically negative necks from 1991 to 2003. Results: Clinically negative but pathologically positive contralateral lymph nodes occurred in 11%(7 of 66) . Of the 11 cases with a clinically ipsilateral node positive neck, contralateral occult lymph node metastases developed in 36%(4 of 10, in contrast with 5%(3/55) in the cases with clinically ipsilateral node negative necks(p<0.05). Based on the clinical staging of the tumor, 8%(3 of 37) of the cases showed lymph node metastases in T2 tumors, 25%(2 of 8) in T3, and 18%(2 of 11) in T4. None of the T1 tumors(10 cases) had pathologically positive lymph nodes. The rate of contralateral occult neck metastasis was significantly higher in advanced stage cases and those crossing the midline, compared to early stage or unilateral lesions(p<0.05). Patients with no evidence of contralateral nodal cancer had significantly improved disease-specific survival over patients with any pathologically positive nodes(5-year disease-specific survival rate was 79% vs. 43%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The risk of contralateral occult neck involvement in the oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas above the T3 stage or those crossing the midline with unilateral metastases was high. Therefore, we advocate an elective contralateral neck treatment with surgery or radiotherapy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients with ipsilateral node metastases or tumors that are greater than stage T3 or crossing the midline.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 1990

Mechanical obstruction of the common hepatic duct includes the following causes ; choledocholithiasis, sclerosis, cholangitis, pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, postoperative stricture, primary hepatic duct carcinoma, enlarged cystic duct lymph nodes, and metastatic nodal involvement of the porta hepatis. Partial mechanical obstruction of the common hepatic duct caused by impaction of stones and inflammation surrounding the vicinity of the neck of the gallbladder had been reported on the "syndrome del conducto hepatico" in 1948 by Mirizzi. Nowadays, this disease was named by Mirizzi syndrome. Mirizzi syndrome is a rare entity of common hepatic duct obstruction that results from an inflammatory response secondary to a gallstone impacted in the cystic duct or neck of the gallbladder. It results from an almost parallel course and low insertion of the cystic duct into the common hepatic duct. In a varient of Mirizzi's syndrome, the cause of the common hepatic duct obstruction was a primary cystic duct carcinoma rather than gallstone disease. A 71-year-old man was admitted with a four-day history of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Past medical history was unremarkable. On physical examination, the patient had a temperature of $38^{\circ}C$, icteric sclera and right upper quadrant tenderness. Pertinent laboratory findings included WBC 18,000/$cm^2$;albumin 2.6g/dl(normal 3.9-5.1) ; SGOT 183u/L(normal 0-50) ; SGPT167u/L(normal 0-65) ; bilirubin, 8.2mg/dl(normal 0-1) with the direct bilirubin, 4.4mg/dl(normal 0-0.4). Ultrasonography revealed a dilated extrahepatic biliary tree. ERCP showed that the superior margin was angular and more consistent with a calculus causing partial CHD obstruction(Mirizzi syndrome). At surgery a diseased gallbladder containing calculi was found. In addition, there was two calculi partially eroding through the proximal portion of the cystic duct and compressing the common hepatic duct. A cholecystectomy and excision of common bile duct was performed, with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 1997

The development of preneoplastic and neoplastic squamous cell proliferations of body sites such as the skin, female lower genital tract, and larynx is strongly associated with specific types of human papillomaviruses (HPV). Antitumor $CD^{8+}$ cells recognize peptide antigens presented on the surface of tumor cells by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. The MHC class I molecule is a heterodimer composed of an integral membrane glycoprotein designated the alpha chain and a noncovalently associated, soluble protein called beta-2-microglobulin( $\beta$ -2-m). Loss of $\beta$-2-m generally eliminates antigen recognition by antitumor $CD^{8+}$ T cells. We evaluated the expression of $\beta$-2-m as a potential means of tumor escape from immune recognition and the presence of HPV DNA as a cause of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Laryngeal SCCs (n=39) were analyzed for MHC class I expression by immunohistochemistry and for presence of HPV by in situ hybridization technique. The results were as follows : 1) HPV DNA was detected in 10 (25.64%) out of 39 cases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. 2) MHC class I down-regulation (heterogenous and negative expression) in HPV positive lesions was higher than HPV negative lesions. 3) The expression of MHC class I was related to cellular differentiation regardless of T-stage and nodal involvement. In conclusion, HPV was thought to be the etiological factor of SCC of larynx, and we found that the down-regulation of MHC class I was a common phenomenon In laryngeal SCC and may provide a way for tumor cells to escape from immune surveillance.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2006

Purpose: The prognosis for patients with a Borrmann type IV gastric cancer is extremely poor despite an aggressive surgical approach. We evaluated the clinicopathological features for Borrmann type IV cancers to find treatment strategy. Materials and Methods: The 1098 patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent surgical resection between 1990 and 2001 were analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups: 81 patients with a Borrmann type IV carcinoma, and 1017 patients with all other types of gastric carcinomas. Results: Patients with a Borrmann type IV carcinoma were younger than those with other types, and female was prevalent (p=0.000). Of the patients with a Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma, 68 patients (84%) were classified as stage III or IV at the initial diagnosis. The histologic type was commonly undifferentiated and serosal infiltration; nodal involvement and lymphatic invasion were more frequent in patients with a Borrmann type IV than in those with other types of cancer. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the extent of lymph node metastasis was a negative prognostic factor for Borrmann type IV gastric carcinomas. The curability for a Borrmann type IV carcinoma was only 53.1%, and peritoneal dissemination rate was 25.9%. The predominant pattern of recurrence for a Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma was peritoneal dissemination, and it was significantly different with other types (93.1% vs 55.8%, P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate of patients with a Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma was significantly lower than those of patients with other types of cancer, even though a curative resection had been accomplished (26% vs 63%, p<0.005). The 5-year survival rates of patients with a Borrmann type IV carcinoma following a curative resection were 44.9%, 24%, and 0% for stages II, III and IV, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Because the prognosis for patients of a Borrmann type IV gastric cancer is extremely poor despite a curative resection, preoperative and/or intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be considered. And diagnostic laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology may be used to play an important role in accurate staging workup. (J Korean Gastric Cancer Assoc 2006;6:97-102)

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.309-315
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• 2006

Purpose: Accurate evaluation of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis of head and neck squamous cell canter (SCC) is important to treatment planning. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the detection of cervical LN metastasis of head and neck SCC and performed a retrospective comparison with CT/MRI findings. Materials & Methods: Seventeen patients with pathologically proven head and neck SCC underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI within 4 week before surgery. We recorded lymph node metastases according to the neck level system of imaging-based nodal classification. F-18 FDG PET/CT images were analyzed visually for assessment of regional tracer uptake in LN. We analyzed the differences in sensitivity and specificity between F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI using the Chi-square test. Results: Among the 17 patients, a total of 123 LN levels were dissected, 29 of which showed metastatic involvement. The sensitivity and specificity of F-18 FDG PET/CT for detecting cervical LN metastasis on a level-by-level basis were 69% (20/29) and 99% (93/94). The sensitivity and specificity of CT/MRI were 62% (18/29) and 96% (90/94). There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI. Interestingly, F-18 FDG PET/CT detected double primary tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma) and rib metastasis, respectively. Conclusion: There was not statistically significant difference of diagnostic accuracy between F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI for the detection of cervical LN metastasis of head and neck SCC. The low sensitivity of F-18 FDG PET/CT was due to limited resolution for small metastatic deposits.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 1996

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate survival, failure patterns, and prognostic factors of MMR patients after radiation therapy. We also discussed the need for chemotherapy. Materials and Methods : A retrospective analysis was done for 23 patients with MMR who were treated with radiation therapy from June 1985 to November 1992. There were 19 male and 4 female patients, The patients' age ranged from 17 to 71 years (median 39 years). Systemic symptoms including fever, weight loss, or malaise were found in $30\%$ of the patients. The nasal cavity was most frequently involved No patients had nodal involvement at diagnosis. There were 2 patients with distant metastasis at presentation. Radiation therapy was delivered five times a week, 1.8 Gy daily, total $45\~54$ Gy (median 50.4 Gy) using 6 MV X-ray No patients received chemotherapy as initial treatment. Results : Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were $52.4\%$ and $44.1\%$, respectively. Seventy Percent(12/17) of the patients achieved complete response to radiotherapy, and $29.4\%$ (5/17) achieved partial response. The Patients with complete response showed a better 5-year survival rate than those with partial response ($66.9\%$ vs. $20\%$. p=0.004). Symptom duration before diagnosis, the presence of systemic symptom, and the number of primary sites had no influence on survival. The patterns of failure were as follows: local failure(1), failure in adjacent site(1), local and distant failure(1) distant metastasis(2). and conversion to malignant lymphoma(1). We could not find factors associated with the patterns of failure. Conclusion : The most important facto associated with survival was the response to radiotherapy. Seventeen percent of the patients had distant metastasis, and the salvage after distant metastasis was not successful. However. about $50\%$ of the patients could achieve long-term survival with local radiation therapy alone. Therefore, chemotherapy of MMR should be done after a prospective randomized study for the factors associated with distant metastasis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: To determine the patterns of evaluation and treatment in patients with breast cancer after mastectomy and treated with radiotherapy. A nationwide study was performed with the goal of improving radiotherapy treatment. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: A web- based database system for the Korean Patterns of Care Study (PCS) for 6 common cancers was developed. Randomly selected records of 286 eligible patients treated between 1998 and 1999 from 17 hospitals were reviewed. $\underline{Results}$: The ages of the study patients ranged from 20 to 80 years (median age 44 years). The pathologic T stage by the AJCC was T1 in 9.7% of the cases, T2 in 59.2% of the cases, T3 in 25.6% of the cases, and T4 in 5.3% of the cases. For analysis of nodal involvement, N0 was 7.3%, N1 was 14%, N2 was 38.8%, and N3 was 38.5% of the cases. The AJCC stage was stage I in 0.7% of the cases, stage IIa in 3.8% of the cases, stage IIb in 9.8% of the cases, stage IIIa in 43% of the cases, stage IIIb in 2.8% of the cases, and IIIc in 38.5% of the cases. There were various sequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after mastectomy. Mastectomy and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy was the most commonly performed sequence in 47% of the cases. Mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy followed by additional chemotherapy was performed in 35% of the cases, and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was performed in 12.5% of the cases. The radiotherapy volume was chest wall only in 5.6% of the cases. The volume was chest wall and supraclavicular fossa (SCL) in 20.3% of the cases; chest wall, SCL and internal mammary lymph node (IMN) in 27.6% of the cases; chest wall, SCL and posterior axillary lymph node in 25.9% of the cases; chest wall, SCL, IMN, and posterior axillary lymph node in 19.9% of the cases. Two patients received IMN only. The method of chest wall irradiation was tangential field in 57.3% of the cases and electron beam in 42% of the cases. A bolus for the chest wall was used in 54.8% of the tangential field cases and 52.5% of the electron beam cases. The radiation dose to the chest wall was $45{\sim}59.4\;Gy$ (median 50.4 Gy), to the SCL was $45{\sim}59.4\;Gy$ (median 50.4 Gy), and to the PAB was $4.8{\sim}38.8\;Gy$, (median 9 Gy) $\underline{Conclusion}$: Different and various treatment methods were used for radiotherapy of the breast cancer patients after mastectomy in each hospital. Most of treatment methods varied in the irradiation of the chest wall. A separate analysis for the details of radiotherapy planning also needs to be followed and the outcome of treatment is needed in order to evaluate the different processes.