• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 1988

Sixty patients with proven lung cancer were retrospectively studied to determine whether postoperative radiation therapy improves survival. Patterns of treatment failure and 5 year survival were assessed according to extent of tumor spread, histology, type of operation, positive resection margin and radiation dose. Of the 60 patients, excluding S patients who received incomplete treatment or poor pulmonary function,55 patients received postoperative radiation therapy following curative resection. The overall survival at 5 years was $39\%$. The hilar and mediastinal lymph node involvement had an influence on survival. The authors recommend that patients with resection. lung cancer involving the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes may require postoperative radiotherapy to reduce the local recurrence and improve survival.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.266-270
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• 1998

The management of malignant pleural effusion is a difficult problem. Tetracycline was probably the most commonly used sclerosing agent, but parenteral tetracycline is no longer available. This prospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of insufflated talc in producing plerodesisin patients with malignant pleural effusions. Fifteen patients managed between March 1995 and March 1997 underwent thoracoscopy and had 4 gm sterile asbestos-free talc insufflation throughout the pleural space. The mean interval between the procedure and last follow-up was 101 days(range: 25-233 days). The results of treatment were clinically and radiologically compared with pre-operative status. The results were as follows: 1. The patients were 6 men and 9 women with a mean age of 55.1 years(range: 31-74 years). The primary tumors were lung cancer in 10 patients, breast cancer in two, hepatoma in one, stomach cancer in one, and adenocarcinoma of unkown origin in one. 2. Cancer cell positive ratio was 36% in sputum cytology study and 100% in thoracoscopic biopsy. 3. Symptoms improved in 94% of patients treated by talc pleurodesis. 4. After 30 days of the procedure, there was radiologically no recurrence of plural fluid in 94% patients. 5. There were wound infection in one, respiratory failure in one. In conclusion, the insufflation of 4 gm sterile asbestos-free talc in the pleural space is an effective method to control malignant pleural effusions and patients selection is important factor for reexpansion the lung.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3123-3128
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• 2014

The liver is normally the major site of glucose metabolism in intact organisms and the most important target organ for the action of insulin. It has been widely accepted that insulin resistance (IR) is closely associated with postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between IR and drug resistance in liver cancer cells is unclear. In the present study, IR was induced in HepG2 cells via incubation with a high concentration of insulin. Once the insulin-resistant cell line was established, the stability of HepG2/IR cells was further tested via incubation in insulin-free medium for another 72h. Afterwards, the biological effects of insulin resistance on adhesion, migration, invasion and sensitivity to cis-platinum (DDP) of cells were determined. The results indicated that glucose consumption was reduced in insulin-resistant cells. In addition, the expression of the insulin receptor and glucose transportor-2 was downregulated. Furthermore, HepG2/IR cells displayed markedly enhanced adhesion, migration, and invasion. Most importantly, these cells exhibited a lower sensitivity to DDP. By contrast, HepG2/IR cells exhibited decreased adhesion and invasion after treatment with the insulin sensitizer pioglitazone hydrochloride. The results suggest that IR is closely related to drug resistance as well as adhesion, migration, and invasion in HepG2 cells. These findings may help explain the clinical observation of limited efficacy for chemotherapy on a background of IR, which promotes the invasion and migration of cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3451-3455
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• 2014

Background: The serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level can reflect tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis. It has been reported that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in exons 19 and 21may have an important relationship with tumor cell sensitivity to EGFR-TKI therapy. In this study, we investigated the clinical value of EGFR mutations and serum CEA in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: The presence of mutations in EGFR exons 19 and 21 in the tissue samples of 315 patients with NSCLC was detected with real-time fluorescent PCR technology, while the serum CEA level in cases who had not yet undergone surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy were assessed by electrochemical luminescence. Results: The mutation rates in EGFR exons 19 and 21 were 23.2% and 14.9%, respectively, with the two combined in 3.81%. Measured prior to the start of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted treatment, serum CEA levels were abnormally high in 54.3% of the patients. In those with a serum CEA level <5 ng/mL, the EGFR mutation rate was 18.8%, while with 5~19 ng/mL and ${\geq}20ng/mL$, the rates were 36.4% and 62.5%. In addition, in the cohort of patients with the CEA level being 20~49 ng/mL, the EGFR mutation rate was 85.7%, while in those with the CEA level ${\geq}50ng/mL$, the EGFR mutation rate was only 20.0%, approximately the same as in cases with the CEA level<5 ng/mL. Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between serum CEA expression level and EGFR mutation status in NSCLC patients, namely the EGFR mutation-positive rate increases as the serum CEA expression level rises within a certain range (${\geq}20ng/mL$, especially 20~49 ng/mL). If patient samples are not suitable for EGFR mutation testing, or cannot be obtained at all, testing serum CEA levels might be a simple and easy screening method. Hence, for the NSCLC patients with high serum CEA level (${\geq}20ng/mL$, especially 20~49 ng/mL), it is worthy of attempting EGFR-TKI treatment, which may achieve better clinical efficacy and quality of life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5165-5169
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate the pathological characteristics of invasive margins in early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinomas and their association with other clinicopathological features including clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB-IIA cervical squamous cell carcinomas who received surgical treatment and had available follow-up information were identified. Their histological slides were reviewed for prognostic variables including tumor size, grade, extent of invasion, lymphovascular invasion, involvement of vaginal margin or parametrium, and lymph node metastasis. The characteristics of invasive margins including invasive pattern (closed, finger-like, or spray-like type), degree of stromal desmoplasia, and degree of peritumoral inflammatory reaction were evaluated along the entire invasive fronts of tumours. Associations between the characteristics of invasive margins and other clinicopathological variables and disease-free survival were assessed. Results: A total of 190 patients were included in the study with a median follow-up duration of 73 months. Tumour recurrence was observed in 18 patients (9%). Spray-like invasive pattern was significantly more associated as compared with closed or finger-like invasive pattern (p=0.005), whereas the degree of stromal desmoplasia or peritumoral inflammatory reaction was not. Low degree of peritumoral inflammatory reaction appeared linked with lymph node metastasis (p=0.021). In multivariate analysis, a spray-like invasive pattern was independently associated with marked stromal desmoplasia (p=0.013), whilst marked desmoplasia was also independently associated with low inflammatory reactions (p=0.009). Furthermore, low inflammatory reactions were independently associated with positive margins (p=0.022) and lymphovascular invasion (p=0.034). The patients with spray-like invasive pattern had a significantly lower disease-free survival compared with those with closed or finger-like pattern (p=0.004). Conclusions: There is a complex interaction between cancer tissue at the invasive margin and changes in surrounding stroma. A spray-like invasive pattern has a prognostic value in patients with early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 2002

Purpose: This study was to develop a stress-adaptation model for family caregivers of cancer patients that could provide the basis of planning nursing intervention. Method: A hypothetical model was developed using the family adaptation model proposed by Haley et al. (1987). In the literature, the stressor was identified as patient's characteristics, caregiver's characteristics, duration of illness, and family life events. It affected stress appraisal, family resources, family coping and finally caregiver's adaptation. In this model, 18 paths were constructed. Data were collected from 241 caregivers, whose family members were in treatment between June and August 2000, at 3 university hospitals and were analyzed by SPSS and LISREL programs. Results: 1) The overall fitness indices of the hypothetical model were x 2=267.78 (P= .0), GFI= .92, AGFI= .87, NFI= .93, NNFI= .93, PNFI= .64, PGFI= .55, and RMR= .43. Ten of the eighteen paths proved to be significant. 2) To improve the model fitness, the hypothetical model was modified considering modification indices and the paths proved not significant. Final model excluded 3 paths demonstrated to be improved by x2=161.96 (P= .00), GFI= .95, AGFI= .91, NFI= .96, NNFI= .96, and RMR= .23. Twelve of fifteen paths proved to be significant. 3) Stress appraisal was influenced by disease related characteristics and duration of illness and was explained 22% of the variance. Family resources were influenced by stress appraisal and was explained 57% of variance. Family coping was influenced by disease related characteristics, caregiver's characteristics, duration of illness, family life event, and stress appraisal and was explained 57% of variance. Family caregiver adaptation was influenced by disease related characteristics, caregiver's characteristics, stress appraisal, and family coping and was explained 31% of variance. Twelve of fifteen paths were significant. Conclusion: Based on this study, to help family caregivers to adapt, individual intervention is necessary with consideration of disease related and caregiver's characteristics and duration of illness. The intervention should include efforts to raise the family resources and to identify positively the stress they encounter, and there is a need to establish an adaptation model that considers emotional aspects of family caregivers. Since there is a difference in emotional status depending on the disease stage, a study needs to be done to analyze the differences among the disease stages (diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and terminal stages).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2019

Purpose: It is unclear whether adding concurrent chemotherapy (CT) to definitive radiotherapy (RT) following induction CT is a tolerable and cost effective treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients aged 70 years or older with comorbidities. This study evaluated the actual clinical outcomes between concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and RT alone following induction CT or not in patients (≥70 years) in a single institution's clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A total of 82 patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC between 2004 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Their treatment tolerance and clinical outcomes such as overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), treatment toxicities and distant metastasis (DM) were evaluated. Early mortality rates were also evaluated as 4-month mortality after RT. Results: Fifty-four patients received CCRT and 28 patients received RT alone. Induction CT before RT was performed for 68.5% and 50.0% in CCRT and RT alone groups. Treatment tolerance was significantly worse in CCRT (p = 0.046). The median survival was 21.1 and 18.1 months for CCRT and RT alone, which was not statistically significant. LRR and DM were also not different. Most early deaths after CCRT were attributed to non-cancer-related mortality. Acute esophagitis of grade ≥2 occurred more following CCRT (p = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of ≥5 and a weight loss of ≥5% after RT were associated with poor OS. The factors adversely affecting 4-month survival were a CCI of ≥5 and CCRT. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in OS, LRR, and DM between CCRT and RT alone treatment in elderly patients. However, there was a poorer tolerance and higher incidence of acute esophagitis in the CCRT group. Specifically, when the patients had a CCI of ≥5, RT alone seems to be reasonable with a low probability of early death.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2008

Purpose：To know the results after induction chemotherapy followed by curative radiation therapy for locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer Methods and Materials：From August 1990 to December 2003, forty patients who were treated with induction chemotherapy and curative radiation therapy were analyzed retrospectively. Median age of patients was 60 years(range：40-78 years) and clinical stage was wholly stage 3 or 4. Induction chemotherapy used cisplatin with 5-FU or docetaxel, and its interval was 3 weeks. Irradiated radiation dose was 70 to 78Gy (median：70.8Gy). Results：Median follow-up time was 39.4 months(range：8-115 months). Treatment failures were observed in 52.5% patients, and main failure pattern was local recurrence in 16 patients. 3 and 5 year disease free survival were 52.6%, 48.2% respectively and values of overall survival were 60.0, 43.9% and median survival time was 44.7 months. Treatment response was only a prognostic factor for survival. Laryngeal preservation was observed in twenty-four(60.0%) patients. Conclusion：Initial primary tumor stage was a significant prognostic factor for laryngeal preservation, and response after radiation therapy was a prognostic factor for long-term survival after induction chemotherapy followed by curative radiation therapy for locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 2004

Purpose: A Krukenberg tumor is an ovarian tumor of a signet-ring cell type. This tumor arises more commonly in young women, and the prognosis is poor. The primary focus of this tumor is often found at gastrointestinal malignancy, especially gastric cancer. We tried to identify the clinical characteristics of this tumor, and in that regard, this report might be helpful. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the 61 patients with Krukenberg tumors, who had been diagnosed at our hospital from 1994 to 2002, and retrospectively analyzed the clinical features. Results: The age distribution ranged from 15 to 59 years, and the mean age was 41 years. The most common symptom was a lower abdominal mass ($46\%$). Fourty-two cases ($77\%$) showed bilateral ovarian involvement, and the size of this tumor was variable, but in 24 cases ($4\%$) the size was $5\∼10$ cm for the largest diameter. Among 54 cases, 40 cases had ascites, and the volume of ascites was variable. The median survival of the 61 patients was 10 months, and Krukenberg tumor developed 19.7 months after the primary operation. The median survival durations of recurrence patterns were 20 months for the Krukenberg tumor alone, and 7 months for the Krukenberg tumor with peritoneal seeding. Conclusion: In young women treated with a gastrectomy, especially one for an advanced tumor, closed observation with abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography to detect a Krukenberg tumor is recommended. The patient with a Krukenberg tumor alone has a better prognosis than one with a Krukenberg tumor combined peritoneal seeding. We will have to consider more progressive treatment for the patient with a Krukenberg tumor alone.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2006

Purpose: We report elastofibroma which is a rare fibrous lesion that most commonly occurs in the between subscapularis and thoracic cage. Materials and Methods: Four patients include one man and three women, the average age was 70 years and the average follow up period was six months. Two patients had on left side, two patients had on both sides. Main symptom was palpable mass. One patient complained mild pain, two complained scapular snapping. Results: All four masses removed with marginal or wide margin. Average mass size was 9.7${\times}$7.2${\times}$3.8 cm. Preoperative symptoms disappeared after surgery. All of the patients have returned to their daily living and showed no recurrence. There was no serious complication such as limitation of shoulder motion and winged scapula. Conclusion: Elastofibroma scapulae can be diagnosed through patient's age, tumor location and radiological finding without preoperative biopsy. When patient is symptomless, observation is enough without surgical operation. Surgical operation considered for relieve of symptoms of pain and snapping.