• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1996

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the role of conventional radiotherapy alone or with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oropharyngeal cancer in terms of survival rates and to identify prognostic factors affecting survival by retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: Forty seven patients of oropharyngeal cancer were treated by conventional radiotherapy in our hospital from Nov. 1985 to APr. 1993. Of these, twenty six patients were treated by conventional radio-therapy alone, and 21 patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy of mostly two or more cycles of cisplatin and pepleomycin. The Patient characteristics of radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group were not different generally. Radiotherapy was performed by 6MV-LINAC and the total radiation doses of Primary tumors were 54.0-79.2 Gy and cervical lymph nodes were 55.8-90.0 Gy with a fraction size of 1.8 or 2.0 Gy per day. The range of follow-up periods was 3-102 months and median was 20 months. The range of a9e was 33-79 years old and median was 58 years old. Results : Overall 3-year actuarial survival rate (3YSR) of all patients was $39\%$. The 3YSRS of stage I (n=5), II (n=11), III (n=12) and IV (n=19) were 60, 55, 33 and $32\%$, respectively The 3YSRS of Tl+2, T3+4 and No, N+ were 55, $18\%$ (p=0.005) and 43, $36\%$ (p>0.1), respectively. There was no difference in 3YSRS between radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (38 vs $43\%$, p>0.1). According to the original site of primary tumor, the 3YSRS of tonsil (n=32), base of tongue (n=8), soft palate or uvula (n=6) and pharyngeal wall (n=1) were 36 38, 67 and $0\%$, respectively The Patients of soft palate or uvular cancer had longer survival than other primaries but the difference was not significant statistically (p>0.1). Of 32 patients of tonsillar cancer, 22 Patients who had primary extension to adjacent tissue showed inferior survival rate to the ones who had not Primary extension, but the difference was marginally significant statistically (24 vs $60\%$, p=0.08). On Cox multivariate analysis in entire patients with variables of age, T stage, N stage, total duration of radiotherapy, the site of primary tumor and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, only T stage was a significant Prognostic factor affecting 3YSR. Conclusion : The difference of 3YASRS of conventional radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group was not significant statistically. These treatments could be effective in oropharyngeal cancer of early stage, especially such as soft palate, uvular or tonsillar cancer which did not extend to adjacent tissue. But in order to improve the survival of patients of most advanced oropharyngeal cancer, other altered fractionated radiotherapy such as hyperfractionation rather than conventional fractionation or multi-modal approach combining radiotherapy and accessible surgery or concurrent chemotherapy might be beneficial.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2000

Object : The aim of the current study is to assess the results of segmental resection and replantation for primary malignant or aggressive tumors of the upper limb. Materials and Methods : From 1986 to 1994, ten patients who had primary malignant or aggressive tumors of the upper limb were managed with segmental resection and replantation method. The average duration of follow-up was 7 years and 7 months. Primary indication of this method is stage II B tumors which, because of their extend, could otherwise be adequately treated only by amputation. Three patients had chondrosarcoma, two had osteosarcoma, two had giant cell tumors with pathologic fracture, one had extensive chondroblastoma, one had Ewings sarcoma, and one had leiomyosarcoma. The location of the tumor was humerus in 6 patients, scapula in 3 patients, and soft tissue of forearm in 1 patient. Wide resection margins were achieved in 7 patients and marginal margin in three. Results : One patient died on 40 months after surgery due to systemic metastasis. Nine patients have remained disease free without local recurrence or metastasis. The average overall functional rating was 65% (43~90%) for ten patients on the last follow-up by the functional rating system of Enneking. The mean grasping power and pinching power of operative hand was 75%(28~95%) and 65%(43~90%) of the opposite hand, respectively. Complications associated with this surgical method included three wound dehiscences and one nerve injury that resolved with proper wound care and time. Conclusion : It was concluded that segmental resection and replantation might be used for partial limb salvage in selected cases for the treatment of primary malignant or aggressive tumors of the upper limb.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare soft tissue tumor, which usually arises in larger joints, such as the knee. It has a high recurrence rate after surgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze the clinical results of diffuse-type pigmented villonodular synovitis cases that were treated with open total synovectomy. Materials and Methods: Between 1994 and 2006, 21 patients who had diffuse-type pigmented villonodular synovitis were selectively reviewed. Among the 21 cases studied, 14 patients presented at the knee, 5 at the ankle, and 2 at the shoulder and elbow. The mean follow up period was 5.5 years (range, 36-157 months). The average age of the patients was 34 years consist of 7 men and 14 women. Clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively, including range of motion and complications. Results: Open total synovectomy and adjuvant electrocautrization were done in all cases except one. During the regular follow-up period after the surgery, two patients showed symptoms of recurrence. After re-operation, only one case was pathologically confirmed as a recurrence. The patient who had partial synovectomy and the other patient who had second operation due to recur rence received additional radiation therapy. Clinical outcome scores were improved in every aspect (p<0.0001). 2 out of 14 Patients who had pigmented villonodular synovitis at the knee developed stiff knee after the surgery. Conclusion: After the open total synovectomy with electrocautrization, a low recurrence rate and satisfactory clinical outcome was achieved, observed in a minimum of 3 years of follow-up.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.60-65
• /
• 2014

Purpose: To diagnose soft tissue tumor, such as lipoma and Schwannoma, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sufficient in most cases. However, various characteristics are found in MRI images of Schwannoma, thus other type of tumors are often misdiagnosed as Schwannoma with MRI images. In this study, we evaluate the diagnostic value of specific MRI findings of Schwannoma. Materials and Methods: From January 2002 to May 2013, 104 patients who are suspected as Schwannoma rith MRI images are included in data, and the final diagnosis is confirmed with biopsy. Patients are divided into group 1 and group 2 who are confirmed as Schwannoma and other disease with biopsy, respectively. Results: 92 patients were diagnosed as Schwannoma (group 1) and 12 patients were diagnosed as other disease (group 2). We investigate the diagnostic value of specific MRI findings of Schwannoma. 41 patients of group 1 (45%) and 0 patients of group 2 (0%) showed target sign, 47 patients of group 1 (51%) and 2 patients of group 2 (17%) showed fascicular sign, 44 patients of group 1 (48%) and 5 patients of group 2 (42%) showed fat split sign, 28 patients of group 1 (30%) and 1 patients of group 2(9%) showed nerve entering and exiting sign, and 8 patients of group 1 (9%) and 6 patients of group 2 (50%) showed none of four specific findings on their MRI images. 52 patients of group 1 (57%) and 5 patients of group 2 (42%) have tumors on the pathway of nerve. Target sign could be considered as the best diagnostic value of the sign we investigate (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although specific MRI findings have powerful diagnostic value, patients are often misdiagnosed as Schwannoma with MRI findings. Therefore, if patients who are suspected as Schwannoma based on MRI findings have no target sign on their MRI images, we should consider the possibility of other disease.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.69-73
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Sentinel lymph node (SLNB) is the first confronted lymph node from primary lesion of tumor through lymphatic drainage, which is important for determining early metastasis and setting guidelines for treatment. We reported significant of sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant melanoma (MM) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of lower extremities. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five cases of surgically treatment and being possible for follow up more than 1 year among the patients who were diagnosed as MM and SCC in this institution from Sep. 2005 to Jan. 2009, and 10 cases of them were performed SLNB. Average age was 64 years old, and 15 cases of male and 10 cases of female were in this group. Results: 3 years overall survival rate was 100% and 3 years disease-free survival rate was 76%. Metastasis occurred in total 6 patients, 4 cases of inguinal lymph nodes, 1 case of soft tissue around knee, 1 case of left achilles tendon. In 15 cases of not performing SLNB, overall survival rate was 93.3% and disease-free survival rate was 73.3%. In 10 cases of performing SLNB, overall survival rate was 100% and disease-free survival rate was 90%. And only 1 case showed positive finding in the biopsy, and none of the 10 cases showed metastasis in follow-up. Conclusion: SLNB leads simpler and less complications compared to prior elective lymph node dissection, and shows high degree of accuracy. Throughout the SLNB, setting guidelines for treatment by accurate staging is thought to be helpful for increasing the survival rate in the patient with MM and SCC.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.1340-1344
• /
• 2001

This is a rare case of cerebral metastasis from malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH) of the soft tissue. A 62-year-old man underwent craniotomy for resection of multiple intracerebral masses under the impression of metastatic brain tumor with unknown primary site. Preoperative investigation failed to detect any extracranial lesion. At six months after the operation and whole brain radiotherapy, right shoulder mass was detected to grow and excised. Specimen from the brain and shoulder lesions revealed identical pathological findings of malignant fibrous histiocytoma except existence of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)-positive cells only in brain lesions. Palliative radiotherapy was performed for subsequently developing metastatic lesions in skeletal system. At twelve months after initial diagnosis recurrent lesion at right shoulder was detected and chemotherapy is given. This case is unique because metastatic brain lesion from MFH is rare and also cerebral metastasis as an initial manifestaion of MFH has not been reported before. Another important finding is that there was expression of GFAP only in brain lesions but not in extracranial primary site lesion. Although the presence of GFAP-positive cells is thought as one of characteristic histological findings of primary intracrainal MFH, our observation supports the hypothesis that GFAP-positive cells in primary intracranial MFH may be nonneoplastic astrocytes secondarily involved by MFH.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.137-142
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Tumor ablation and traumatic intractable ulceration of the plantar surface of the foot results in skin and soft tissue defects of the weight-bearing sole. Simple skin grafting is not sufficient for reconstruction of the weight-bearing areas. Instead, the island medial plantar flap (instep flap) and distally-based island medial plantar flap was used for proper reconstruction of the weight bearing area. However, there are some disadvantages. In particular, an island medial plantar flap has a short pedicle limiting the mobility of the flap and the distally-based island medial plantar flap is based on a very small vessel. We investigated whether good results could be obtained using a reverse island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel as a solution to the above limitations. Methods: Three patients with malignant melanoma were cared for in our tertiary hospital. The tumors involved the lateral forefoot, the postero-lateral heel, and the medial forefoot area. We designed and harvested the flap from the medial plantar area, dissected the lateral and medial plantar artery and vena comitans, and clamped and cut the vessel 1 cm proximal to the branch from the posterior tibial artery and vena comitans. The medial plantar nerve fascicles of these flaps anastomosed to the sural nerve, the 5th interdigital nerve, and the 1st interdigital nerve of each lesion. The donor sites were covered with skin grafting. Results: The mean age of the 3 subjects was 64.7 years (range, 57 - 70 years). Histologically, all cases were lentiginous malignant melanomas. The average size of the lesion was $5.3\;cm^2$. The average size of the flap was $33.1\;cm^2$. The flap color and circulation were intact during the early postoperative period. There was no evidence of flap necrosis, hematomas or infection. All patients had a normal gait after the surgery. Sensory return progressively improved. Conclusion: Use of an island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel to the variable weight-bearing sole is a simple but useful procedure for the reconstruction of any difficult lesion of the weight-bearing sole.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.791-797
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant soft tissue tumor. Due to a lack of the established optimal treatment modalities, however, an extensive resection followed by an early detection has been reported to be the best treatment of choice. We analyzed the clinical course of six patients, hence attempted to contribute to making a treatment plan for patients with angiosarcoma. Methods: Six patients who have been surgically treated between 2005 and 2010 are included. Through a retrospective analysis of the medical records, we evaluated the pattern of disease detection, a past history, time span between the detection and the primary surgery, surgical treatment modalities, time span between the primary surgery and the recurrence/metastasis, the sites of metastasis and the secondary treatment modalities. Results: The mean age of patients was 70.5 years; all male; and the sites were the scalp. Four patients underwent the reconstruction using a local flap with a skin graft and two patients using a free flap. The mean period elapsed until the primary operation since the identification was 7.3 months and until a recurrence or a metastasis occurred following the primary operation was 12 months. Four patients had pulmonary metastasis. As a secondary therapy, four patients underwent the radiotherapy and one was treated with the chemotherapy. At the present, five patients died and one undergoes a monitoring of the clinical course. Conclusion: It would be mandatory to shorten the length of hospital stay and to return patients to their daily lives as the earliest as possible using relatively simpler surgical methods, thus attempting to give them opportunity to resume their previous normal life.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.324-335
• /
• 1979

During the period of 4 years from August 1975 to August 1979 one hundred and forty seven cases of lung cancer were seen at Paik Foundation Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Among these 147 cases, 104 patients had primary carcinoma of the lung and the remainder was metastatic carcinoma to the lung. Among these 104 primary carcinoma patients, 73 cases were proven histologically as primary carcinoma of the lung. There were three cases of alveolar cell carcinoma [Table 1 ]. This clinical observation is based on those 73 cases including three case reports of the alveolar cell carcinoma. 1. Peak incidence was observed in the 5th decade of life. Male to female ratio was 2 to 1 [Fig. 1]. 2. Pathological classifications were as follows: epidermoid carcinoma, 24 cases [32.9%]; undifferentiated carcinoma, 20 cases [27.4%]; adenocarcinoma, 15 cases [20.5%]; bronchioloalveolar carcinoma [5.5%] and positive cytology, 10 cases [13.7%] [Fig. 2]. 3. Evidence of inoperability was observed in 55 patients [75% of the 73 cases] [Table 3]. 4. Among those 73 cases, operability was evaluated in 18 patients or 25%. One patient refused operation and 17 patients [23.6%] were explored. In 11 [15%] out of 17 patients, thoracotomies were performed. Six cases were pneumonectomies and 5 cases were lobectomies or bilobectomies [Fig. 3]. 5. First case of alveolar cell carcinoma was a 46 year-old housewife complaining of cough and hemoptysis for one year. The plain chest X-ray and bronchogram showed characteristic pictures as Figures 4 and 5. A pneumonectomy was carried out. Histologically, a beautiful alveolar carcinoma consisted of the characteristic tall columnar epithelial cells, which were lining the alveolar spaces as seen in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 20. 6. In the second case of 41 year old male, predominant clinical feature was single, well defined mass in the right lower lobe [Fig. 10 and 11] on chest X-ray. Bilobectomized specimen showed fragile, soft and hard tissue containing mucoid secretions and focal yellowish necrosis with pigmentation on cut surface [Fig. 12]. Slides showed tumor cells lined up along the alveolar septa with papillary projections [Fig. 13 and 14]. 7. Third case of alveolar cell carcinoma was a 50-year-old housewife with hemoptysis. An outstanding clinical picture was a round to lobulated mass in the right upper lobe [Fig. 16]. She is living now, 2 years and 1 month post-operatively, but has arrived at terminal stage with military nodular disseminations to the contralateral lung [Fig. 19].

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 1988

The abdominal tumors in children are different from those of adult. These tumors are the third most common one, preceded by leukemia and brain tumors, in children under 15 years. X-ray examination is the most important method among diagnostic approaches. The role of diagnostic imaging is to identify the precise anatomic location and extent of pathologic process with the minimal number of imaging procedures. 23 cases of abdominal tumors were reviewed in respect of age incidence, site of origin, radiologic findings. The results are briefly summarized as follows : 1. Neuroblastoma was the most common(6 cases) and wi1m's tumor(5 cases), choledocal cyst(4 cases), ovarian mass(3 cases), hydronephrosis(2 cases), were descending order in frequency. 2. The most common site was retroperitoneum(60%). Kidney was the single most common site of origin. 3. Radiologic findings. The most common findings of plain radiography was ill defined soft tissue mass and this method was helpful in the presence of calcification especially in neuroblastoma. Ultrasonographic pattern was anechoic(cystic), echoic or mixed pattern, but this method provide less precise anatomical details, nevertheless ultrasonography wes paticullary useful imaging modality for the pediatric abdominal tumors. IVP findings were renal displacement, caliceopelvic system distortion or nonvisualization of kidney, these information was helpful in determining the location of tumors. CT scan showed homogenous or inhomogenous, cystic or solid, mass with their anatomic location. 4. Ultrasonography was the most widely used specific diagnostic method, but had limited value in detecting the anatomic location of tumors. CT scan was superior to ultrasound for determining the extent of tumors.