Clinicopathologic Features and Long-Term Outcomes of Elderly Breast Cancer Patients: Experiences at a Single Institution in Korea / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the tumor characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes of adjuvant treatments after surgery with a curative aim for patients with breast cancer who are 65 years and older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with breast cancer who underwent curative surgery from 2000 to 2009 were analyzed (n=4,388). Tumor characteristics and survival outcome were compared by dividing the patients into two age groups (< 65 and ≥ 65 years old). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for comparison of survival rates by log-rank test, and a Cox regression model was used to examine the effect of variables. RESULTS: Among 4,388 patients with invasive breast cancer, 317 patients (7.2%) were 65 years or older and the median age of all patients was 47 years (range, 18 to 91 years). Tumor characteristics were similar between the two age groups, but the older patients were treated less often with adjuvant treatments. During a median follow-up period of 122 months, recurrence-free survival (RFS) was equivalent for patients 65 years and older compared to younger patients, but significantly worse in overall survival (OS) and breast cancer–specific survival (BCSS) (5-year OS, 94.3% vs. 90.5%; p < 0.001 and 5-year BCSS, 94.7% vs. 91.8%; p=0.031). In the multivariate model, age ≥ 65 years old was identified as an independent risk factor for OS and RFS. CONCLUSION: Elderly breast cancer appeared to have worse outcomes with very low prevalence in Korea, despite similar tumor characteristics. More active adjuvant therapies would have a role for aggressive subtypes for fit, elderly patients.

Renal artery stenosis presenting with nephrotic-range proteinuria: a case report

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is commonly presented with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. We report a rare case of RAS occurring in a 78-year-old man who presented with nephrotic-range proteinuria. Renal biopsy on the left side was performed, and results showed mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis, which was not compatible with the cause of nephrotic-range proteinuria. Proteinuria was decreased by angiotensin receptor blocker, but azotemia was aggravated. Therefore, angiotensin receptor blocker was discontinued inevitably and thorough evaluation for the possibility of RAS was performed. Computed tomography angiography revealed significant RAS on the left side and a renal artery stent was inserted. After stenting, aortic dissection developed and progressed despite tight control of blood pressure. After inserting another stent graft through the true lumen of the left renal artery, the patient's renal function and proteinuria improved markedly.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease Caused by Mycobacterium simiae: The First Reported Case in South Korea / 결핵및호흡기질환

This is a report of the first South Korean case of a lung disease caused by Mycobacterium simiae. The patient was a previously healthy 52-year-old female. All serial isolates were identified as M. simiae by multi-locus sequencing analysis, based on hsp65, rpoB, 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer, and 16S rRNA fragments. A chest radiography revealed deterioration, and the follow-up sputum cultures were persistently positive, despite combination antibiotic treatment, including azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of a lung disease caused by M. simiae in South Korea.

Skeletal Muscle Metastasis and Elevated beta-HCG Level Secondary to Tongue Cancer: a Case Report and Review of Literature / 대한내과학회지

Metastases to skeletal muscle and paraneoplastic syndromes involving beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) production are an extremely rare manifestation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We report a patient with a beta-HCG-secreting squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with diffuse metastases involving skeletal muscle. A 47 year old female, who was being treated heavily with palliative chemotherapy for metastatic tongue cancer, was admitted with a palpable thigh mass and pain. A magnetic resonance image showed an intramuscular metastasis in the thigh. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the thigh mass confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. She was scheduled for enrollment into a clinical trial; however, a positive serum beta-HCG test was noticed. There was no evidence of pregnancy or a trophoblastic or non-trophoblastic tumor secreting beta-HCG. Finally, she was revealed to have a paraneoplastic syndrome with diffuse metastases and was ultimately referred for palliative care. We review the literature of previously reported cases of an increase of beta-HCG in patients with head and neck cancer.

A Case of Gastric Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Spontaneous Regression

A 44-year-old male was followed-up with esophagogastroduodenoscopy due to an esophageal submucosal tumor. On the lesser curvature of the gastric low body, a 0.5 cm sized round elevated lesion with hyperemia was noticed. Two pieces of biopsy were taken from this lesion for histopathologic examination. Histology showed Langerhans cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD1a antigen, which confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. There was no evidence of other organ involvement. The lesions spontaneously disappeared 4 months later without any treatment. We report a very rare case of gastric Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

A Case Report of Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Crohn's disease is an acute or chronic inflammatory disorder, characteristically non- specific granuloxaatous neerotiziag, cicatrical low grade inflammation, occuring in various portions of the entire oro-gastraintestinal tract. The etiology is not clearly defined and rather uncertain. The disease is a heterogenous & dubious entity with multiple systemic manifestations. The incidence of the disease is geographically unequal in world wide distrihution. And male and female are equally involve. In June, 1985, a case of 17-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed by clinico-micro- scopic examination at Han Yang Univ. hospital. And then, we report with a review of world literatare.

Clinical Study of Colonofiberscopic Findings / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Comparison between Americans colonic diseases are much less prevalence in Korea. But, recent days much increased incidence in these disases caused by changes of food habits and development of diagnostic methods. We studied 1456 cases who complained colonic symptoms and colonofiberscopic biopsy was taken from 1981 to 1985 at Han Yang Univ. Hospital, Age, Sex, elinical symptoms, histopathological findings, location and relation between of barium study were analized for 1002 cases wha confirmed by biopsy. (continue...)

A Case of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis on Superficial Spreading Carcinoma of the Stomach / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Meningeal carcinomatosis is an important neurological complication of systemic cancer, and is increasingly being recognized as a cause of reurologic disability in life. Also there is evidenee that the incidence of this form of metastasis is increasing. We reported a case of 52-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed as early gastric cancer by biopsy under gastrofiberscopy. Other Lab. findings were all normal range except high alkaline phosphatase level. And then performed Billroth II operation. On 7th post-operative day, she was encountered severe headache and insomnia. Abnormal neurologic signs and subjective symptoms were developed and progressed, Repeated lumbar punture was done and CSF was examed. There findings were abnormal, but no specific finding of certain disease. She died of severe neurologic deficit and sudden respiratory arrest. Autopsy was done, and confirmed leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.