ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: No clinically useful target molecule has been identified for triple-negative (TN) breast cancer, i.e., estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative phenotype, and its prognosis is poor. The aim of this study is to clarify the clinical and pathologic characteristics of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: The study subjects, 87 women with TNBC, were a subset of patients operated at Kosin University Gospel Hospital from January 2000 to December 2005. We examined pathologic characteristics such as tumor necrosis, infiltrating border, lymphocytic infiltration, prominent nucleoli in TNBC. And we studied the correlation between TNBC and several factors related to pathologic morphology. Chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis. Kaplan-Meier estimates are presented for the survival function, and differences in survival were analyzed using the log rank test. RESULTS: Tumor necrosis was found in 51 patients (58.3%) in TNBC. And infiltrating border was found in 71 patients (81.0%). Also continuous lymphocytic distribution and prominent nucleoli was found in 31 patients (35.7%), 52 patients (59.7%), respectively. No association was detected between pathologic characteristics and other biological markers. Patients with tumor necrosis positive for TNBC didn't show shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.4490) or overall survival (P = 0.979) than patients without tumor necrosis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that pathologic characteristics cannot be used to classify triple-negative breast cancer into only two subtypes with differing prognoses. But because our study is small size study, more abundant patients' dates will be needed to evaluate the morphologic characteristics' predictive role.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Biomarkers , Breast , Breast Neoplasms , Chronology as Topic , Disease-Free Survival , Epidermal Growth Factor , Estrogens , Necrosis , Phenotype , Progesterone , PrognosisABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The repair of common bile duct injuries is a complex procedure that has a significant rate of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of the bovine pericardial patch (BPP) graft for replacement of the bile duct. METHODS: In this study, BPP with Indermil glue was used to evaluate the effectiveness, morphological changes, early complications and changes of BPP's character. Four male pigs weighing 30~40 kg each were used in the study. We attached a BPP on the small size defected common bile duct (CBD) surface of one pig with using Indermil glue. Another pig's segment of the CBD was resected and the biliary tract was replaced by a tube formed from BPP. After 2 weeks, these animals were sacrificed and we analyzed the patch attachment, the cholangiography and morphological changes. RESULTS: We made a tube-like form from BPP with Indermil; we put it into saline (NaCl 0.9%), gastric juices and bile for 2 weeks to test the changes of the material and the strength of the attachment. Nothing changed, and the attachment remained secure. After 2 weeks these animal were sacrificed and the patch attachment was evaluated by cholangiography and the morphological changes. One significant adhesion with fibrosis in surrounding tissue was noted with obstruction of the CBD. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that BPP with Indermil glue may well be an acceptable membrane in CBD replacement.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Adhesives , Bile Ducts , Bile , Biliary Tract , Cholangiography , Common Bile Duct , Fibrosis , Gastric Juice , Membranes , Mortality , Pilot Projects , Swine , TransplantsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Protein and energy malnutrition are common in patients with stomach cancer. Nutritional assessment is very important because malnutrition has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in stomach cancer. Therefore, this study analyzed the relationship between the nutritional status and the number of hospitalization days in stomach cancer patients. METHODS: The study subjects were 89 patients with stomach cancer, who were admitted to the General Surgery Department during August 2001 to December 2001. The initial nutrition status was assessed using biochemical, anthropometric, and subjective global assessment (SGA) data along with the number of hospitalization days. RESULTS: The study was showed that the mean age was 55.9, the gender ratio was 1.3 : 1 and the mean hospitalization days were 15.59 and there was no statistically significant difference. The weight changes during 1 month before surgery, weight change during 6 month before surgery, usual body weight, and serum albumin level were associated with the nutritional status. The Pearson's correlation test revealed statistically significant relationships between the number of hospitalization days and the MAC (mid-arm circumference), MAMC (mid arm muscle circumference), and serum albumin level. Moreover, according the logistic regression test, MAMC was most associated with the number of hospitalization days. According to stomach cancer stage, only the serum triglyceride level was showed a statistically significant association. However, the Pearson's correlation test revealed the MAC and serum albumin level to be associated with the number of hospitalization days. CONCLUSION: A nutritional assessment should be carried out in cancer patients pre-operatively. Moreover, the number of hospitalization days after surgery should decrease with adequate nutritional support. These results show that MAMC is most adequate data for assessing the nutritional status and could play a key role in decreasing the number of hospitalization days after surgery with adequate nutritional support. In addition, monitoring of the laboratory levels, such as albumin, triglyceride, and transferring, could be helpful in decreasing the number of hospitalization days. However, the other laboratory parameters, such as cholesterol, zinc, and total lymphocyte count, were not associated with the number of hospitalization days.