5-Fluorouracil and Cisplatin (FP) with Concurrent Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

The combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is emerging as the new standard modality for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer, due to the inherent functional and cosmetic sequelae associated with its surgical management. Combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP) is one of the most active regimens for the head and neck cancer. Furthermore, both agents are known to act as radiosensitizer. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy, feasibility, and the toxicities of concurrent FP chemotherapy with radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven locally advanced head and neck cancer (T3-4 or node positive) were enrolled in the study. Patients received 5-fluorouracil, 1,000 mg/m2/day, continuously for 4 days, and cisplatin, 75 mg/m2, on day 1. This regimen was given every four weeks. The radiotherapy (45 Gy) was started on day 1 of the first cycle, and administered in 25 fractions. Following a three-week interval, the radiotherapy was resumed on day 1 of the third cycle of chemotherapy, and administered in 15 fractions (27 Gy). RESULTS: Of the 31 eligible patients included, 28 were able to be evaluated for the tumor response. The response rate for the 28 patients was 93% (16 complete responses, 10 partial responses). Disease free survival for the 16 complete responders was 37 months (median, 1 ~41 months), with a median follow-up time of 31 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 82%, 69%, and 63%, respectively. Regarding the feasibility of this treatments, only nineteen patients (61%) received the complete courses of scheduled treatments. The median duration of admission for all patients was 39 days. Grade 3 or 4 stomatitis were observed in 25 patients (83%) and appeared as the dose limiting toxicity of this regimen CONCLUSION: Although FP chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy is toxic, it is an effective and relatively feasible treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer. The majority of patients experienced severe stomatitis, which appeared as the dose limiting toxicity of this regimen.

A Case of Watermelon Stomach Treated by Hemigastrectomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach) is a rare cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, characterized endoscopically by a distinctive appearance of prominent red vascular folds traversing the gastric antrum and radiating to the pyloric sphincter; this appearance has been likened to the dark stripes on the surface of a watermelon. The etiology is unknown, and the usual presentations are iron-deficiency anemia and melena due to chronic gastric blood loss. Diagnosis is made by the characteristic endoscopic appearance and histologic findings. The treatment of choice is not known yet; surgical resection is curative method, but results from endoscopic treatment with heat probes or lasers are promising. We experienced a case of gastric antral vascular ectasia presenting with epigastric pain and melena in a 34-year-old female. The patient was treated with hemigastrectomy and Billroth II anastomosis.

A Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with Myocardial Bridge Treated by Primary Coronary Stenting

The clinical significance of myocardial bridges (MBs) is variable, and most patients are asymptomatic. However, angina, myocardial infarction and sudden death, associated with MBs, have been reported. Intracoronary stents offer a novel, and potentially definitive, treatment for myocardial ischemia associated with clinically significant MBs. We describe the use of intracoronary stenting for primary angioplasty in a patient with an anterior myocardial infarction associated with MBs.

A Case of Spontaneous Renal Artery Dissection Causing Renal Infarction in a Previously Healthy Man / 대한신장학회잡지

Spontaneous renal artery dissection is an uncommon cause of renal infarction. Previous reports of spontaneous renal artery dissection has been associated with hypertension or fibromuscular dysplasia. We report herein the case of a previously healthy, normotensive patient with renal infarction due to spontaneous renal artery dissection who remained normotensive throughout his course without therapy. A previously healthy 31-year-old man with well- documented normotension had a sudden onset of right flank pain and delayed onset of elevation of lactic dehydrogenase, hematuria, and proteinuria. Thin section spiral computerized tomogram shows linear intraluminal filling defect suggesting intimal flap. Angiography shows dissection of main right renal artery. Six months later, he has remained well and normotensive without therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous renal artery dissection in normotensive patients in Korea.