Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Prevalence in 2020 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The current study provides national cancer statistics and their secular trends in Korea, including incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2020. @*Materials and Methods@#Incidence, survival, and prevalence rates of cancer were calculated using the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, from 1999 to 2020, with survival follow-up until December 31, 2021. Deaths from cancer were assessed using causes-of-death data obtained from Statistics Korea. @*Results@#The number of new cancer diagnoses in 2020 decreased by 9,218 cases (3.6%) compared to 2019. In 2020, newly diagnosed cancer cases and deaths from cancer were reported as 247,952 (age-standardized rate [ASR], 262.2 per 100,000) and 82,204 (ASR, 69.9 per 100,000), respectively. The overall cancer incidence rates increased by 3.3% annually from 1999 to 2012, and decreased by 5.0% annually from 2012 to 2015, thereafter, followed by nonsignificant changes. Cancer mortality rates have been decreasing since 2002, with more rapid decline in recent years. The 5-year relative survival between 2016 and 2020 was 71.5%, which contributed to prevalent cases reaching over 2.2 million in 2020. @*Conclusion@#In 2020, the number of newly diagnosed cancer patients decreased due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, but the overall trend is on the rise. Cancer survival rates have improved over the past decades. As the number of cancer survivors increases, a comprehensive cancer control strategy should be implemented in line with the changing aspects of cancer statistics. The long-term impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on cancer statistics needs to be investigated in the future.

Prediction of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Korea, 2023 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to report the projected cancer incidence and mortality for the year 2023 to estimate Korea’s current cancer burden. @*Materials and Methods@#Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2020 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, and cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2021 were acquired from Statistics Korea. Cancer incidence and mortality were projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer rates against their respective years and then by multiplying the projected age-specific rates by the anticipated age-specific population for 2023. A joinpoint regression model was used to determine the year in which the linear trend changed significantly; we only used the data of the latest trend. @*Results@#In total, 273,076 new cancer cases and 81,818 cancer deaths are expected to occur in Korea in 2023. The most common cancer site is expected to be the lung, followed by the thyroid, breast, colon and rectum, and stomach. These five cancers are expected to represent half of the overall burden of cancer in Korea. The most common type of cancer leading to death is expected to be lung cancer, followed by liver, colorectal, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancers. @*Conclusion@#The incidence rates for all types of cancer in Korea are estimated to gradually decrease. These up-to-date estimates of the cancer burden in Korea could be an important resource for planning and evaluating cancer-control programs.

First Course of treatment and Prognosis of Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer in Korea from 2006 to 2017 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Hospital-based clinical studies have limitations in holistic assessment of cancer treatment and prognosis, as they omit out-of-hospital patients including elderly individuals. This study aimed to investigate trends in initial treatment and corresponding prognosis of patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC) in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#The Korea Central Cancer Registry data of patients with EPC from 2006 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We defined the first course of treatment (FT) as the cancer-directed treatment administered within four months after cancer diagnosis according to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. @*Results@#Among 62,209 patients with EPC, localized and regional (LR) SEER stage; patients over 70 years old; and ductal adenocarcinoma excluding cystic or mucinous (DAC) accounted for 40.6%, 50.1%, and 95.9%, respectively. “No active treatment” (NT, 46.5%) was the most frequent, followed by non-surgical FT (28.7%) and surgical FT (22.0%). Among 25,198 patients with LR EPC, surgical FT increased (35.9% to 46.3%) and NT decreased (45.0% to 29.5%) from 2006 to 2017. The rate of surgical FT was inversely related to age (55.1% [< 70 years], 37.3% [70-79 years], 10.9% [≥ 80 years]). Five-year relative survival rates of LR DAC were higher after surgical FT than after NT in localized (46.1% vs. 12.9%) and regional stage (23.6% vs. 4.9%) from 2012 to 2017. @*Conclusion@#Less than half of overall patients with LR EPC underwent surgical FT, and this proportion decreased significantly in elderly individuals. Clinicians should focus attention on elderly patients with EPC to provide appropriate medical advice.

Trend Analysis and Prediction of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Korea

Background@#This study aimed to analyze the current trends and predict the epidemiologic features of hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) cancers according to the Korea Central Cancer Registry to provide insights into health policy. @*Methods@#Incidence data from 1999 to 2017 and mortality data from 2002 to 2018 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database and Statistics Korea, respectively. The future incidence rate from 2018 to 2040 and mortality rate from 2019 to 2040 of each HBP cancer were predicted using an age-period-cohort model. All analyses, including incidence and mortality, were stratified by sex. @*Results@#From 1999 to 2017, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of HBP cancers per 100,000 population had changed (liver, 25.8 to 13.5; gallbladder [GB], 2.9 to 2.6;bile ducts, 5.1 to 5.9; ampulla of Vater [AoV], 0.9 to 0.9; and pancreatic, 5.6 to 7.3). The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) per 100,000 population from 2002 to 2018 of each cancer had declined, excluding pancreatic cancer (5.5 to 5.6). The predicted ASIR of pancreatic cancer per 100,000 population from 2018 to 2040 increased (7.5 to 8.2), but that of other cancers decreased. Furthermore, the predicted ASMR per 100,000 population from 2019 to 2040 decreased in all types of cancers: liver (6.5 to 3.2), GB (1.4 to 0.9), bile ducts (4.3 to 2.9), AoV (0.3 to 0.2), and pancreas (5.4 to 4.7). However, in terms of sex, the predicted ASMR of pancreatic cancer per 100,000 population in females increased (3.8 to 4.9). @*Conclusion@#The annual incidence and mortality cases of HBP cancers are generally predicted to increase. Especially, pancreatic cancer has an increasing incidence and will be the leading cause of cancer-related death among HBP cancers.

Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Prevalence in 2019 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The current study provides national cancer statistics and their secular trends in Korea, including incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2019. @*Materials and Methods@#Incidence, survival, and prevalence rates of cancer were calculated using the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, from 1999 to 2019, with survival follow-up until December 31, 2020. Deaths from cancer were assessed using causes-of-death data obtained from Statistics Korea. @*Results@#In 2019, newly diagnosed cancer cases and deaths from cancer were reported as 254,718 (ASR, 275.4 per 100,000) and 81,203 (ASR, 72.2 per 100,000), respectively. For the first time, lung cancer (n=29,960) became the most frequent cancer in Korea, excluding thyroid cancer. The overall cancer incidence rates increased by 3.3% annually from 1999 to 2012, and decreased by 5.3% annually from 2012 to 2015, thereafter, followed by nonsignificant changes. The incidence of thyroid cancer increased again from 2016 (annual percentage change, 6.2%). Cancer mortality rates have been decreasing since 2002, with more rapid decline in recent years (annual decrease of 2.7% from 2002 to 2013; 3.3% from 2013 to 2019). The 5-year relative survival between 2015 and 2019 was 70.7%, which contributed to prevalent cases reaching over 2 million in 2019. @*Conclusion@#Cancer survival rates have improved over the past decades, but the number of newly diagnosed cancers is still increasing, with some cancers showing only marginal improvement in survival outcomes. As the number of cancer survivors increases, a comprehensive cancer control strategy should be implemented in line with the changing aspects of cancer statistics.

Prediction of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Korea, 2022 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to report the projected cancer incidence and mortality for the year 2022 to estimate Korea’s current cancer burden. @*Materials and Methods@#Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2019 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, and cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2020 were acquired from Statistics Korea. Cancer incidence and mortality were projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer rates against their respective years and then by multiplying the projected age-specific rates by the anticipated age-specific population for 2022. A joinpoint regression model was used to determine the year in which the linear trend changed significantly; we only used the data of the latest trend. @*Results@#In total, 274,488 new cancer cases and 81,277 cancer deaths are expected to occur in Korea in 2022. The most common cancer site is expected to be the thyroid, followed by the lung, colon and rectum, breast, and stomach. These five cancers are expected to represent half of the overall burden of cancer in Korea. The most common type of cancer leading to death is expected to be lung cancer, followed by liver, colorectal, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancers. @*Conclusion@#The incidence rates for all types of cancer in Korea are estimated to gradually decrease. These up-to-date estimates of the cancer burden in Korea could be an important resource for planning and evaluating cancer-control programs.

Photoacoustic Imaging for Differential Diagnosis of Benign Polyps versus Malignant Polyps of the Gallbladder: A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of ex vivo multispectral photoacoustic (PA) imaging in differentiating cholesterol versus neoplastic polyps, and benign versus malignant polyps, of the gallbladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 surgically confirmed gallbladder polyps (24 cholesterol polyps, 4 adenomas, and 10 adenocarcinomas) from 38 patients were prospectively included in this study. The surgical specimens were set on a gel pad immersed in a saline-filled container. The PA intensities of polyps were then measured, using two separate wavelength intervals (421–647 nm and 692–917 nm). Mann-Whitney U test was performed for the comparison of normalized PA intensities between the cholesterol and neoplastic polyps, and between the benign and malignant polyps. Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted for the comparison of normalized PA intensities among the cholesterol polyps, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the normalized PA intensities between the cholesterol and neoplastic polyps at 459 nm (median, 1.00 vs. 0.73; p = 0.032). Comparing the benign and malignant polyps, there were significant differences in the normalized PA intensities at 765 nm (median, 0.67 vs. 0.78; p = 0.013), 787 nm (median, 0.65 vs. 0.77; p = 0.034), and 853 nm (median, 0.59 vs. 0.85; p = 0.028). The comparison of the normalized PA intensities among cholesterol polyps, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas demonstrated marginally significant differences at 765 nm (median, 0.67 vs. 0.66 vs. 0.78, respectively; p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results indicate that benign versus malignant gallbladder polyps might exhibit different spectral patterns on multispectral PA imaging.

The natural course of pancreatic fistula and fluid collection after distal pancreatectomy: is drain insertion needed?

PURPOSE: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most common and clinically relevant complications after distal pancreatectomy. Some aspects of POPF management remain controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the natural course of POPF and fluid collection after distal pancreatectomy and to reappraise the necessity of intraoperative abdominal drainage insertion. METHODS: For recent 10 years, 264 distal pancreatectomies were performed at Seoul National University Hospital. Clinicopathologic data including POPF and postoperative fluid collection (POFC), and its treatment modality were reviewed retrospectively. During follow-up, the location, size, and clinical impact of the POFC were determined on the basis of CT images. RESULTS: Clinically relevant POPFs were identified in 72 patients (27.3%). Therapeutic interventions were performed in 40 patients (55.6%), and conservative management was successful in 32 patients (44.4%). POFC was detected in 191 cases (72.3%) on the first postoperative CT. During follow-up, spontaneous regressions were observed in 119 cases (93.0%). Only thick pancreatic stump increased the risk of clinically relevant POPF (≥17.3 mm, P = 0.002) and the occurrence of POFC (≥16.0 mm, P < 0.001) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative abdominal drainage insertion could be selectively indwelled in patients with a thickness of pancreas ≥17.3 mm. Since radiologically-proven POFC after distal pancreatecomy showed a 93.0 rate of spontaneous regression, POFC without signs of infection can be safely monitored.

Effects of Surgical Methods and Tumor Location on Survival and Recurrence Patterns after Curative Resection in Patients with T2 Gallbladder Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Extended cholecystectomy is generally recommended for patients with T2 gallbladder cancer. However, few studies have assessed the extent of resection relative to T2 gallbladder tumor location. This study analyzed the effects of surgical methods and tumor location on survival outcomes and tumor recurrence in patients with T2 gallbladder cancer. METHODS: Clinicopathological characteristics, extent of resection, survival rates, and recurrence patterns were retrospectively analyzed in 88 patients with pathologically confirmed T2 gallbladder cancer. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 65.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis was the only independent risk factor for poor 5-year disease-free survival rate. Survival outcomes were not associated with tumor location. Survival tended to be better in patients who underwent extended cholecystectomy than in those who underwent simple cholecystectomy. Recurrence rate was not affected by surgical method or tumor location. Systemic recurrence was more frequent than local recurrence without distant recurrence. Gallbladder bed recurrence and liver recurrence were relatively rare, occurring only in patients with liver side tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Extended cholecystectomy is the most appropriate treatment for T2 gallbladder cancer. However, simple cholecystectomy with regional lymph node dissection may be appropriate for patients with serosal side tumors.

Clinical features and survival outcome of locally advanced extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Little is known about clinical features and survival outcome in locally advanced unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHC). The aim was to investigate the clinical features and the survival outcome in these patients, and to evaluate the role of palliative resections in locally advanced unresectable EHC. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2007, 280 patients with locally advanced unresectable EHC were identified. Clinical, pathologic, and survival data were investigated. A comparative analysis was done between those who received palliative resection (PR) and those who were not operated on (NR). RESULTS: The overall median survival of the study population was 10+/-1 months, and the 3- and 5-year survival rates (YSR) were 8.5% and 2.5%, respectively. The median survival, 3- and 5-YSR of PR were 23 months, 32.1% and 13.1%, respectively. For NR, they were 9 months, 3.9% and 0%, which were significantly worse than PR (p<0.001). In univariate analysis, T classification, N classification, tumor location, palliative resection, adjuvant treatment, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were factors that showed survival difference between PR and NR. Regional lymph node metastasis (RR, 2.084; 95% CI, 1.491-2.914; p<0.001), non-resections (RR, 2.270; 95% CI, 1.497-3.443; p<0.001), and no chemotherapy (RR, 1.604; 95% CI, 1.095-2.349; p=0.015) were identified as risk factors for poor outcome on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Without evidence of systemic disease, palliative resection may provide some survival benefit in selected locally advanced unresectable EHCs and adjuvant treatment may further improve survival outcome.

Which method of pancreatic surgery do medical consumers prefer among open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery? A survey

PURPOSE: The consumers' preferences are not considered in developing or implementing new medical technologies. Furthermore, little efforts are made to investigate their demands. Therefore, their preferred surgical method and the factors affecting that preference were investigated in pancreatic surgery. METHODS: Six-hundred subjects including 100 medical personnel (MP) and 500 lay persons (LP) were surveyed. Questionnaire included basic information on different methods of distal pancreatectomy; open surgery (OS), laparoscopic surgery (LS), and robotic surgery (RS). Assuming they required the operation, participants were told to indicate their preferred method along with a reason and an acceptable cost for both benign and malignant conditions. RESULTS: For benign disease, the most preferred method was LS. Limiting the choice to LS and RS, LS was preferred for cost and well-established safety and efficacy. OS was favored in malignant disease for the concern for radicality. Limiting the choice to LS and RS, LS was favored for its better-established safety and efficacy. The majority thought that LS and RS were both overpriced. Comparing MP and LP responses, both groups preferred LS in benign and OS in malignant conditions. However, LP more than MP tended to prefer RS under both benign and malignant conditions. LP thought that LS was expensive whereas MP thought the cost reasonable. Both groups felt that RS was too expensive. CONCLUSION: Though efforts for development of novel techniques and broadening indication should be encouraged, still more investments and research should focus on LS and OS to provide optimal management and satisfaction to the patients.

Role of resection for Bismuth type IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma and analysis of determining factors for curative resection

PURPOSE: Extended liver resection may provide long-term survival in selected patients with Bismuth type IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA). The purpose of this study was to identify anatomical factors that predict curative-intended resection. METHODS: Thirty-three of 159 patients with Bismuth type IV HCCA underwent major hepato-biliary resection with curative intent (CIR) between 2000 and 2010. Disease extent and anatomical variations were analyzed as factors enabling CIR. RESULTS: CIR ratio with hilar trifurcation bile duct variation (13/16) was significantly higher than that with other bile duct variation types (18/25). Hilum to left second bile duct confluence and tumor infiltration over left second bile duct confluence lengths in right-sided CIR were significantly shorter than those lengths in left-sided CIR (10.8 +/- 4.9 and 2.7 +/- 0.8 mm vs. 16.5 +/- 8.4 and 7.0 +/- 5.3 mm, respectively). Left-sided CIR patients had a marginally higher proportion of tumors invading < or =5 mm over the right second confluence than that in right-sided CIR patients (13/17 vs. 6/16; P = 0.061). The 3-year survival rate after CIR (28%) was significantly higher than after non-CIR (6.1%). CONCLUSION: We recommend the criteria of CIR as bile duct variation type, length of hilum to contralateral second bile duct confluence, and extent of tumor infiltration over the second confluence for Bismuth type IV HCCA.

Changes in Demographic Features of Gallstone Disease: 30 Years of Surgically Treated Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the clinical and demographical characteristics of gallstone disease in Korea, based on 30 years of surgically treated patients at a single institute. METHODS: In total, 7,949 gallstone patients who underwent surgery between 1981 and 2010 were analyzed. Patients were divided into six time periods: period I (1981 to 1985, n=831), period II (1986 to 1990, n=888), period III (1991 to 1995, n=1,040), period IV (1996 to 2000, n=1,261), period V (2001 to 2005, n=1,651) and period VI (2006 to 2010, n=2,278). RESULTS: The total number and mean age of the patients gradually increased, and the male/female ratio decreased. The proportion of gallbladder (GB)-stone cases increased, whereas the proportions of common bile duct (CBD)- and intrahepatic duct (IHD)-stone cases decreased. Differences in patient geographical origins also decreased. Based on the relationship between changes in the prevalence of gallstone disease and socioeconomic status, the prevalence of CBD stones showed a strong correlation with Engel's coefficient (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that although the total number of cases and the mean age of gallstone patients have continuously increased, there are trends of increasing GB-stone cases and decreasing CBD- and IHD-stone cases.

Cancer cells with p53 deletion detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization in peritoneal drainage fluid is correlated with early peritoneal seeding in resectable pancreatic cancer / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: Free tumor cells in peritoneal fluid in patients with pancreatic cancer may have prognostic significance but there are few reports on methods for the effective detection of free tumor cells. The aims of this study were to identify free cancer cells in peritoneal fluid with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique and to investigate its prognostic significance. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent surgical resection were included. Peritoneal washing and peritoneal drainage fluid were examined by FISH for p53 deletion. RESULTS: Among the study subjects, the R0 resection rate was 75%. None of the patients had positive cytology with Papanicolaou's method. p53 deletion was detected in 9 peritoneal washings (32.1%) and in 5 peritoneal drainage fluids (17.9%). After a median of 18 months of follow-up, 25 patients (89.3%) experienced recurrence and 14 patients (50.0%) had peritoneal seeding. Patients with p53 deletion detected in the peritoneal drainage fluid had positive radial margin (60.0% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.046) more frequently and a lower peritoneal metastasis free survival (median, 11.1 months vs. 30.3 months; P = 0.030). Curative resection (P < 0.001) and p53 deletion in peritoneal drainage fluid (P = 0.030) were independent risk factors of peritoneal metastasis free survival after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: FISH technique detects free cancer cells with higher sensitivity compared to Papanicolaou's method. p53 deletion detected in peritoneal drainage fluid is correlated with positive radial resection margin and results in early peritoneal seeding. Patients with p53 deletion in peritoneal drainage fluid need more aggressive adjuvant treatment.

Proposal of an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related perforation management guideline based on perforation type / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: Consensus for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) related perforation management is lacking. We aimed to identify candidate patients for conservative management by examining treatment results and to introduce a simple, algorithm-based management guideline. METHODS: A retrospective review of 53 patients with ERCP-related perforation between 2000 and 2010 was conducted. Data on perforation site (duodenum lateral wall or jejunum, type I; para-Vaterian, type II), management method, complication, mortality, hospital stay, and hospital cost were reviewed. Comparative analysis was done according to the injury types and management methods. RESULTS: The outcome was greater in the conservative group than the operative group with shorter hospital stay (20.6 days vs. 29.8 days, P = 0.092), less cost (10.6 thousand United States Dollars [USD] vs. 19.9 thousand USD, P = 0.095), and lower morbidity rate (22.9% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.017). Eighty-one percent (17/21) of type I injuries were operatively managed and 96.9% (31/32) of type II injuries were conservatively managed. Between the types, type II showed better results over type I with shorter hospital stay (19.3 days vs. 30.6 days, P = 0.010), less cost (9.5 thousand USD vs. 20.1 thousand USD, P = 0.028), and lower complication rate (18.8% vs. 57.1%, P = 0.004). There was no difference in mortality. CONCLUSION: Type II injuries were conservatively manageable and demonstrated better outcomes than type I injuries. The management algorithm suggests conservative management in type II injuries without severe peritonitis or unsolved problem requires immediate surgical correction, including operative management in type I injuries unless endoscopic intervention is possible. Conservative management offers socio-medical benefits. Conservative management is recommended in well-selected patients.

Clinical outcome and long term results after surgical treatment of biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Biliary cystadenoma (BCA) and cystadenocarcinoma (BCCA) are rare cystic hepatic neoplasms. Prior reports concerning the proper surgical treatment and long-term survival are scarce. We report our experience and survival outcome of 30 patients over the last 25 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data of the pathologically confirmed 18 BCA and 12 BCCA patients, who underwent operations from 1983 to 2006, at the Seoul National University Hospital. RESULTS: The patients consisted of 8 men and 22 women with a mean age of 51 years. With abdominal computed tomography scans, 73.3% (n=22) were preoperatively diagnosed as BCA or BCCA, and differentiating BCCA from BCA was accurate in 58.3% patients. R0 resection was achieved in 90% (n=27). The differentiating factors included the presence of mural nodule (4/18 vs. 8/12; p=0.009) and mucinous content (2/9 vs. 8/1; p=0.005), and tumor size tending to be larger in BCCA (11.7 cm vs. 7.9 cm; p=0.067). Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates of BCCA were 72.9% and 60.9%, respectively. Of patients with BCCA, 4 experienced recurrence. In case of recurrence, patients tended to be younger than 50 years (p=0.061) and the lesions tended to be larger than those without recurrence (p=0.088). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative differentiations of BCA from simple cyst, and BCCA from BCA are still difficult. Complete removal of the tumor, via major hepatectomy, should be considered, especially in the younger age group with large tumor.

Comparison of Clinical Outcome and Cost-Effectiveness after Various Preoperative Biliary Drainage Methods in Periampullary Cancer with Obstructive Jaundice

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of preoperative biliary drainage (BD) methods in periampullary cancer, and to suggest guidelines for selecting the appropriate preoperative BD method. Between October 2004 and August 2010, 211 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy after preoperative BD. Clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of the preoperative BD methods were compared based on the final drainage method used and on intention-to-treat analysis. There was no significant difference in drainage duration between percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic BD groups (14.2 vs 16.6 days, respectively; P = 0.121) but daily diminution of serum bilirubin level was higher in the PTBD group (0.7 vs 0.6 mg/dL/day, respectively; P = 0.041). Based on intention-to-treat analysis, drainage duration was shorter (13.2 vs 16.5 days, respectively; P = 0.049), daily diminution of serum bilirubin level was higher (0.7 vs 0.6 mg/dL/day, respectively; P = 0.041). Medical care cost was lower (14.2 vs 15.7 x 10(3) USD, respectively; P = 0.040) in the PTBD group than in the endoscopic BD group. When selecting the preoperative BD method, practitioners should consider that PTBD is more cost-effective and safer than endoscopic BD.

Comparison of Clinical Outcome and Cost-Effectiveness after Various Preoperative Biliary Drainage Methods in Periampullary Cancer with Obstructive Jaundice

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of preoperative biliary drainage (BD) methods in periampullary cancer, and to suggest guidelines for selecting the appropriate preoperative BD method. Between October 2004 and August 2010, 211 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy after preoperative BD. Clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of the preoperative BD methods were compared based on the final drainage method used and on intention-to-treat analysis. There was no significant difference in drainage duration between percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic BD groups (14.2 vs 16.6 days, respectively; P = 0.121) but daily diminution of serum bilirubin level was higher in the PTBD group (0.7 vs 0.6 mg/dL/day, respectively; P = 0.041). Based on intention-to-treat analysis, drainage duration was shorter (13.2 vs 16.5 days, respectively; P = 0.049), daily diminution of serum bilirubin level was higher (0.7 vs 0.6 mg/dL/day, respectively; P = 0.041). Medical care cost was lower (14.2 vs 15.7 x 10(3) USD, respectively; P = 0.040) in the PTBD group than in the endoscopic BD group. When selecting the preoperative BD method, practitioners should consider that PTBD is more cost-effective and safer than endoscopic BD.

Myoepithelial hamartoma as a solitary mass in the pancreatic parenchyma: the first case report

Solid hamartoma of the pancreas is very rare, and only 3 cases have been reported thus far. A patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy due to a mass in the head of the pancreas which was suspected to be a borderline malignant tumor, but the histologic diagnosis turned out to be myoepithelial hamartoma (MEH) or adenomyoma. It was characterized by benign duct and glandular structures surrounded by proliferating smooth muscle, and acinus formation was not observed. Immunohistochemical stain for smooth muscle actin (SMA) was positive in spindle cells, and CD34 was negative, differentiating it from the three previously reported cases of solid hamartoma of the pancreas. MEH is an entity that is on the same spectrum as heterotopic pancreas. MEH is rare and has usually been reported in the gastrointestinal tract. To the best of our knowledge, MEH has never been reported in the pancreas. Therefore we report the world's first documented case of MEH of the pancreas.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Nonfunctioning Endocrine Tumor of the Pancreas

PURPOSE: Nonfunctioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas have no specific symptoms. Therefore, diagnosis is usually delayed and the malignancy rate at the time of diagnosis is reported to be higher than 50%. However, it is difficult to discriminate malignant from benign nonfunctioning endocrine tumors preoperatively. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics of nonfunctioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas, including predictive factors of malignancy and prognostic factors affecting long-term survival. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2010, clinicopathological data of 53 patients with nonfunctioning endocrine tumors proven by surgical pathology were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 53 patients, mean age was 54 years-old and the male to female ratio was 1:1.2 Median follow up was 32.1 months. At the time of diagnosis, liver metastasis was detected in 4 patients. Curative resection was achieved in 49 patients, and 17% of them had recurrence, which was most common in liver. The overall 5-year survival rate was 85.1%. Both the WHO classification (p<0.001) and AJCC staging (p<0.001) correlated well with long-term survival. Univariate analysis revealed preoperative body weight loss (p<0.001), weak enhancement at the early arterial phase (p=0.043), lymph node metastasis (p<0.001), liver metastasis (p=0.001), perineural invasion (p=0.001), or lymphovascular invasion (p=0.010) as prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Nonfunctioning endocrine tumor of the pancreas has favorable survival outcomes. Lymph node metastasis (p<0.001), liver metastasis (p=0.001), perineural invasion (p=0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (p=0.010) are poor prognostic factors.