• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.222-228
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Report of the good results of breast reconstruction using Becker permanent tissue expander that showed a short operation time and a quick post-operation recovery time, little side effects and usually superb aesthetic results without the need for additional incisions or donor site morbidity. The authors, after carrying out breast reconstruction operations using Becker permanent tissue expander on patients with appropriate indications, attempted to analyze several factors such as complication rates and patient satisfaction measurements. Methods: 11 cases of breast reconstruction using Becker expander implants were carried out on a total of 10 patients between March 2000 and February 2003. The patients were followed up at outpatient visit for an average of 6 months. Results: The most common post-operation complication was pain resulting from saline injection into the expanders, complained by 5 patients(50%). rib fractures, skin necrosis, implant removal due to infection, and breast cancer recurrence each occurred in 1 patient (9.9%). There was no occurrence of skin contracture complications which occurs frequently in case of silicone implant insertion. Patient complacency was surveyed by patient interviews made right after the operations and during outpatient follow-up periods: 5(50%) patients out of 10 showed excellent, 3(30%) good, and 2(20%) showed fair, leaving no patients who were disappointed with operation results. On routine follow-up, 80% of patients expressed satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome of their post-mastectomy beast reconstruction. Conclusion: Breast reconstruction using the Becker expander is a reliable alternative to other reconstructive methods but good patient selection is essential for satisfactory results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.356-360
• /
• 2021

Background: Primary pulmonary malignant mesenchymal tumors are rare, constituting only 0.4% of all lung cancers. Since sarcomas are chemo/radio-resistant, surgical resection is the optimal treatment choice for patients with suitable medical conditions and tumor stage. In the present study, we analyzed the surgical outcomes and survival of primary pulmonary malignant mesenchymal tumors treated surgically. Methods: We retrospectively examined the records of patients with primary pulmonary malignant mesenchymal tumors who underwent surgical resection at our department between January 2010 and December 2020. Patient data were analyzed according to age, sex, tumor grade and stage, resection completeness, surgical type, and tumor histopathology. Results: Twenty patients were included in the study. There were 13 men (65%) and 7 women (35%). The median survival rate was 36 months (range, 19-53 months), and the 5-year overall survival rate was 37%. Unfavorable prognostic factors for overall survival included parietal pleural invasion (p=0.02), high tumor grade (p=0.02), advanced tumor stage (p=0.02), and extensive parenchymal resection (pneumonectomy and bilobectomy, p=0.01). The median length of disease-free survival was 31 months (interquartile range, 21-41 months), and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 32%. The most unfavorable prognostic factors for recurrence were parietal pleural invasion (p=0.02), high tumor grade (p=0.01), and tumors requiring lung resection with chest wall resection (p=0.02). Conclusion: Primary malignant mesenchymal lung tumors are aggressive and have a high mortality rate. However, acceptable overall and disease-free survival rates can be obtained with surgical therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.120-127
• /
• 2021

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is very rare type of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that occurs within the jaw and arises from remnants of odontogenic epithelium with no connection to the oral mucosa. This study reports two cases of PIOSCC of the mandible. Reported in this article are two cases of PIOSCC of the mandible that were treated with resection and reconstruction using a fibular free flap. The first case was a 36-year-old male patient who complained of right mandibular pain. Computed tomography (CT) and panoramic radiograph revealed a large radiolucency in the mandibular ramus area. At first, an odontogenic keratocyst was tentatively diagnosed, and an excision procedure was carried out at another clinic. A final biopsy after cyst enucleation revealed well-differentiated SCC, so we proceeded with segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction using a fibular free flap. The second case was a 48-year-old male patient with left mandibular pain. CT and panoramic radiograph revealed irregular radiolucency in the mandibular angle area near tooth #38. At first, osteomyelitis was tentatively diagnosed, and a curettage was carried out. A later biopsy revealed well-differentiated SCC, so segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction with a fibular free flap were secondarily performed. Our two cases have had no recurrence. The facial appearance of both patients is satisfactory, and the neo-mandibular body created using a fibular bone transfer displays adequate bony volume.

• Annals of Coloproctology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.312-316
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Anemia is associated with poor treatment results for a variety of cancers. The effect of low hemoglobin levels on long-term outcomes after the treatment of patients with an anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains unclear. For that reason, this study aimed to investigate the effect of anemia on treatment outcomes following chemoradiation for an anal SCC. Methods: This was a retrospective study of all patients who underwent curative treatment for an anal SCC between 2009 and 2015 at 2 trusts in the United Kingdom. Data were collated from prospectively collected cancer databases and were cross-checked with operating-room records and records in the hospitals' patient management systems. Results: We identified 103 patients with a median age of 63 years (range, 36-84 years). The median overall survival was 39 months (range, 9-90 months), and the disease-free survival was 36 months (range, 2-90 months). During the follow-up period, 16.5% patients died and 13.6% patients developed recurrence. Twenty-two people were anemic prior to treatment, with a female preponderance (20 of 22). No differences in disease-free survival (P = 0.74) and overall survival (P = 0.12) were noted between patients with anemia and those with normal hemoglobin levels. On regression the analysis, the combination of anemia, the presence of a defunctioning colostomy, lymph-node involvement and higher tumor stage correlated with poor overall survival. Conclusion: In this study, anemia did not influence disease-free survival or overall survival. We suggest that the interaction between anemia and survival is more complex than previously demonstrated and potentially reliant on other coexisting factors.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.441-448
• /
• 2019

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy affecting the skin, for which timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential. MCC has most often been reported in Caucasians, and case reports in Asians are rare. This study presents our experiences with the surgical treatment and radiotherapy of MCC in Asian patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven MCC patients between 2000 and 2018 from a single institution, and analyzed patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, sentinel lymph node evaluation, reconstruction, adjuvant radiation therapy, and prognosis. Results Eight MCC lesions occurred in seven patients, most commonly in the head and neck region. All patients underwent surgical excision with reconstruction. The final surgical margin was 1.0 cm in most cases, and reconstruction was most commonly performed with a splitthickness skin graft. Five patients received adjuvant radiotherapy, and two patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy. During the follow-up period, three patients remained well, two died from other causes, one experienced recurrence, and one was lost to follow-up. Conclusions We treated seven Asian MCC patients and our series confirmed that MCC is a very dangerous cancer in Asians as well. Based on our experiences, thorough surgical excision of MCC with histopathological clearance should be considered, with sentinel lymph node evaluation if necessary, followed by appropriate reconstruction and careful postoperative observation. Adjuvant radiation therapy is also recommended for all Asian MCC patients. The results of this case series may provide guidance for the treatment of Asian MCC patients in the future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.353-358
• /
• 2023

Background: Malignant pleural effusion affects many patients with advanced cancer. When chemotherapy or radiotherapy fails to relieve malignant pleural effusion and related symptoms, drainage and pleurodesis can help. Although surgical talc pleurodesis is the most widely used method, Viscum album, which has been recently used in surgical or bedside procedures, has demonstrated significant results and is as effective as talc. This study aimed to determine the most effective agent and procedure. Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2022, chemical pleurodesis was performed in 137 patients with malignant pleural effusion, using a V. album surgical procedure in 48, a V. album bedside procedure in 55, and a talc surgical procedure in 34 patients. We reviewed patients' clinical responses and disease progression after chemical pleurodesis. Results: The success rate was not significantly different among the V. album surgical procedures (91.7%), V. album bedside procedures (83.6%), and talc surgical procedures (91.2%). However, the total drainage amount and tube insertion duration in both Viscum groups were more effective than those in the talc group. Furthermore, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower post-pleurodesis pain scores than the other 2 groups. Conclusion: According to our results, talc and V. album can be considered ideal agents for chemical pleurodesis. However, Viscum pleurodesis showed safer outcomes in terms of ensuring quality of life than talc. Additionally, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower pain scores than the other groups. Hence, patients for whom surgical procedures are inappropriate can undergo bedside Viscum pleurodesis without diminishing the therapeutic effect.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.207-218
• /
• 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis and high metastasis and recurrence rates. Although extracts of Alnus hirsuta (Turcz. ex Spach) Rupr. (AH) have been demonstrated to possess potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, the underlying mechanism of AH in HCC treatment remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of AH on migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. Within the non-cytotoxic concentration range, AH significantly inhibited motility and invasiveness of Hep3B cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibitory effects of AH on cell invasiveness are associated with tightening of tight junctions (TJs), as demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance. Immunoblotting indicated that AH decreased levels of claudins, which form major components of TJs and play key roles in the control and selectivity of paracellular transport. Furthermore, AH inhibited the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and simultaneously increased the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. These effects were related to inactivation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in Hep3B cells. Therefore, AH inhibits migration and invasion of Hep3B cells by inhibiting the activity of MMPs and tightening TJs through suppression of claudin expression, possibly by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.555-561
• /
• 2023

A 63-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with complaints of coldness in the head and right femur, persistent vertigo, dry mouth, vexation, general weakness, anorexia, and hot flashes. After being diagnosed with left-sided ductal carcinoma in 2017 and undergoing partial resection, she was recommended radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, but she refused and did not receive any treatment. At a checkup in November 2022, the left-sided invasive ductal carcinoma recurred. She underwent partial resection and was scheduled to receive radiotherapy two months later. During hospitalization, the patient received traditional Korean medicine treatment, including Korean herbal medicine (Osuyubujaijung-tang), acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping. Subjective symptom changes were evaluated daily. At discharge, the patient's symptoms improved, and her condition varied with the presence of Aconitum carmichaelii. This study suggests that "Osuyubujaijung-tang" cared the coldness and vertigo caused by "Han-dam (寒痰)" in patients with Soeumin visceral syncope pattern (少陰人 臟厥症) and that A. carmichaelii played a major role in this outcome.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.72-76
• /
• 2010

Clinical nomogram is a graphical representation of numeric formula, constructed from clinical cases database of followed patients' treatment, which is used for medical predication. For a clinical nomogram to contribute patient care, it is required to accumulate as many as clinical cases and to extract medical prediction knowledge. It needs to be equipped with an effective method to build medical nomogram with high predication accuracy. It is desirable for medical nomogram to be accessible at patient care point. This paper proposes a medical nomogram service system architecture which takes into account the above-mentioned issues. The proposed system architecture includes a web-based database subsystem to maintain and keep track of clinical cases. On the periodic basis, a new clinical nomogram is reconstructed for the updated clinical database. For the convenient use of patient care practice environment, an app-based program is provided which makes prediction based on the most recent clinical nomogram constructed in the service system. The proposed method has been applied to a clinical nomogram service system development for recurrence and survival prediction in bladder cancer patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.117-122
• /
• 2024

A 3-year-old spayed female Russian blue cat was presented for dyspnea, nasal discharge, and stertorous breathing. Plain thoracic radiography revealed no specific findings. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to differentiate upper airway tract disorders. It revealed the presence of an iso-attenuating mass measuring 10.0 × 7.9 × 15.6 mm, with mild homogeneous contrast enhancement occupying the rostral nasopharynx. The mass was surgically debulked via a longitudinal incision in the soft palate. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis of the surgically excised mass revealed CD3-/CD79a+ B cell lymphoma with an incomplete margin. The patient underwent hypofractionated radiation therapy, receiving a total of 36 Gray (Gy) in 6 Gy fractions over a six-week period. A follow-up CT examination was performed after 27 months of irradiation and the patient was confirmed to have achieved a complete response. There were no complications related to irradiation. The patient was alive for 40 months without recurrence. This study suggests that hypofractionated radiation therapy combined with surgical debulking could be considered as a treatment option for feline nasopharyngeal lymphoma.