Assessment of Quality of Life and Safety in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Letrozole as an Early Adjuvant Treatment / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: There are few reports from Asian countries about the long-term results of aromatase inhibitor adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. This observational study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of letrozole in postmenopausal Korean women with operable breast cancer. METHODS: Self-reported quality of life (QoL) scores were serially assessed for 3 years during adjuvant letrozole treatment using the Korean version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast questionnaires (version 3). Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and serum cholesterol levels were also examined. RESULTS: All 897 patients received the documented informed consent form and completed a baseline questionnaire before treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 684 (76.3%) subjects, and 410 (45.7%) and 396 (44.1%) patients had stage I and II breast cancer, respectively. Each patient completed questionnaires at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after enrollment. Of 897 patients, 749 (83.5%) completed the study. The dropout rate was 16.5%. The serial trial outcome index, the sum of the physical and functional well-being subscales, increased gradually and significantly from baseline during letrozole treatment (p<0.001). The mean serum cholesterol level increased significantly from 199 to 205 after 36 months (p=0.042). The mean BMD significantly decreased from −0.39 at baseline to −0.87 after 36 months (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: QoL gradually improved during letrozole treatment. BMD and serum cholesterol level changes were similar to those in Western countries, indicating that adjuvant letrozole treatment is well tolerated in Korean women, with minimal ethnic variation.

A Multicenter Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Docetaxel and Gemcitabine in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The current multicenter phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 98 patients with stage II–III breast cancer were enrolled. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) rate of invasive cancer after the completion of the fourth cycle of NAC. The secondary endpoints included response rate (RR), rate of breast-conserving surgery, toxicity, and disease-free survival (DFS). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01352494). RESULTS: pCR in the breast and the axillary lymph node was observed in seven of the 98 enrolled patients (7.1%). The overall clinical RR, including partial responses, was 65.3%. Breast-conserving surgery was performed in 75 of the 98 assessable patients (76.5%). Neutropenia was frequent and was observed in 92 of the 98 patients (93.9%), including grade 3 and 4 in 24 patients (24.5%) and 63 patients (64.3%), respectively. Dose reductions were required for 30 of the 92 patients (32.6%). After a median follow-up of 24 months, the overall DFS of the group was 86.7%. CONCLUSION: The combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine did not improve pCR. However, this regimen has shown potential as a NAC by producing a reasonable rate of breast-conserving surgery and favorable responses in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The therapeutic efficacy of this regimen will be determined in additional trials to overcome the limitations of the current study.

Metabolic Activity of Normal Glandular Tissue on ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: Correlation with Menstrual Cycles and Parenchymal Enhancements / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The aims of our study were to correlate the degree of metabolic activity in normal glandular tissue measured on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) with qualitative background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) grades on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to investigate the change in standardized uptake value (SUV) according to the patients' menstrual cycles. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2015, 298 consecutive premenopausal patients with breast cancer who underwent both breast MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT were identified. BPE was evaluated in the contralateral breast of cancer patients and categorized as minimal, mild, moderate, or marked based on Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System criteria. We analyzed the correlation between BPE and maximum SUV (SUVmax) and mean SUV (SUVmean) values. We also analyzed the metabolic activity of normal glandular tissue according to the patients' menstrual cycles. RESULTS: The mean SUVmax and SUVmean values differed significantly according to BPE grade (p < 0001), with the lowest values occurring in the minimal group and the highest values occurring in the marked group. Spearman's correlation coefficients revealed moderate correlations between BPE grade and SUVmax (r=0.472, p < 0.001) and BPE and SUVmean (r=0.498, p < 0.001). The mean SUVmax and SUVmean values differed significantly according to the patients' menstrual cycles, with the highest values in the 3rd week and the lowest value in the 2nd week. Of 29 patients with low metabolic parenchyma (high BPE but low SUVmean values), 17 (58.6%) were in the 4th week of their menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: The metabolic activity of normal breast parenchyma, which is highest in the 3rd week and lowest in the 2nd week of the menstrual cycle, correlates moderately with BPE on MRI. Metabolic activity tends to be lower than blood flow and vessel permeability in the 4th week of the menstrual cycle.

Young Age Is Associated with Increased Locoregional Recurrence in Node-Positive Breast Cancer with Luminal Subtypes / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The effects of biological subtypes within breast cancer on prognosis are influenced by age at diagnosis. We investigated the association of young age with locoregional recurrence (LRR) between patients with luminal subtypes versus those with nonluminal subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 524 breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes between 1999 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients received curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy based on contemporary guidelines. Radiation was delivered for patients who underwent breast conserving surgery or those who had four or more positive lymph nodes after mastectomy. Adjuvant hormone therapy was administered to 413 patients with positive hormone receptors according to their menstrual status. RESULTS: During median follow-up of 84 months, the 10-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rate (LRRFS) was 84.3% for all patients. Patients < 40 years showed significantly worse 10-year LRRFS than those ≥ 40 years (73.2% vs. 89.0%, respectively; p=0.01). The negative effect of young age on LRRFS was only observed in luminal subtypes (69.7% for < 40 years vs. 90.8% for ≥ 40 years; p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis using luminal subtypes ≥ 40 years as a reference revealed luminal subtypes < 40 years were significantly associated with increased risk of LRR (hazard ratio, 2.33; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Young breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes had a higher risk of LRR than those aged ≥ 40 years. This detrimental effect of young age on LRR was confined in luminal subtypes.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Alone after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Initial Cytology-Proven Axillary Node Metastasis / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been recently used to downstage breast cancer. However, in patients with initial axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis, ALN dissection regardless of the NAC response remains the standard treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC in patients with ALN metastasis at diagnosis. METHODS: From January 2007 to August 2013, data of patients who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and ALN metastasis and treated with NAC followed by definitive surgery in two centers were collected retrospectively. A total of 386 patients were enrolled and classified into five groups according to surgical procedure for the ALNs and pathologic results. RESULTS: At SLNB after NAC, sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) that stained blue or were hot, including suspicious nodes, were identified; the SLN identification and false-negative rates was 96% and 10%, respectively. There was no difference in the overall survival among the groups. For patients who revealed a pathologic complete node response, there was a significant difference in the disease-free survival rate between the SLNB only and complete ALN dissection groups (p=0.031). However, the rate of axillary recurrence demonstrated no significant differences among the groups (p>0.050). CONCLUSION: SLNB after NAC in breast cancer patients with initial ALN metastasis may help identify downstaging to negative nodal status and thereby reduce the surgical morbidity by avoiding standard ALN dissection.

Histologic Grade and Decrease in Tumor Dimensions Affect Axillary Lymph Node Status after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes our study was to find out any histologic factors associated with negative conversion of axillary lymph node (ALN) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We also evaluated the association between the decrease in size of primary breast tumor and negative conversion of ALN. METHODS: From January 2012 to November 2014, we included 133 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC and who had ALN metastases which were confirmed on fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy at initial diagnosis. All 133 patients underwent initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of diagnosis and preoperative MRI after completion of NAC. We measured the longest dimension of primary breast cancer on MRI. RESULTS: Of 133 patients, 39 patients (29%) showed negative conversion of ALN and of these 39 patients, 25 patients (64%) showed pathologic complete remission of primary breast. On univariate analysis, mean percent decrease in longest dimension, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status and histologic grade were significantly associated with the ALN status after NAC (p<0.001, p=0.001, p< 0.001, p=0.001, p=0.002, respectively). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, percent decrease in longest dimension (odds ratio, 1.026; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009-1.044) and histologic grade (odds ratio, 3.964; 95% CI, 1.151-13.657) were identified as being independently associated with the ALN status after NAC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.835 with the best cutoff value of 80% decrease in longest dimension. Combination of high histologic grade and more than 80% decrease in longest dimension showed 64% sensitivity and 92% specificity. CONCLUSION: High histologic grade and more than 80% decrease in primary tumor dimension were associated with negative conversion of ALN after NAC.

Comparative Study of a Single-Incision Laparoscopic and a Conventional Laparoscopic Appendectomy for the Treatment of Acute Appendicitis

PURPOSE: For the treatment of acute appendicitis, a conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been widely performed. Recently, the use of single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is increasing because it is believed to have advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery. In this study, we compared SILS and a conventional LA. METHODS: We analyzed the 217 patients who received laparoscopy-assisted appendectomies between August 2010 and April 2012 at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital. One hundred-twelve patients underwent SILS, and 105 patients underwent LA. For the two groups, we compared the operation times, postoperative laboratory results, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The patients' demographics, including body mass index, were not significantly different between the two groups. There were 6 perforated appendicitis cases in the SILS group and 5 cases in the LA group. The mean operative time in the SILS group was 65.88 +/- 22.74 minutes whereas that in the LA group was 61.70 +/- 22.27 minutes (P = 0.276). There were no significant differences in the mean hospital stays, use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and wound infections between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pain, complications and hospital stay showed no statistically significant differences between the SILS and the LA groups. However, our SILS method uses a single trocar and two latex tubes, so cost savings and reduced interference during surgery are expected.

Feasibility of Laparoscopic D2 Lymph Node Dissection in Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: There is still debate regarding the suitability of extension of laparoscopic gastrectomy to advanced gastric cancer. Due to the development of new instruments and techniques, several studies are being conducted to extend the range of laparoscopic gastrectomy. This study was conducted to investigate the appropriateness of laparoscopic D2 lymph node dissection for the treatment of gastric cancer from an oncology perspective. METHODS: A total of 109 patients, 50 of whom had undergone laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and 59 patients who underwent open distal gastrectomy (ODG), that were operated on by a single surgeon in the surgery department of Sanggye Paik Hospital from April 2009 to May 2011 were analyzed. All patients underwent D2 lymph node dissection. The clinical characteristics of patients, surgical outcomes and clinicopathologic findings were then compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (252.70+/-40.81 vs. 252.20+/-45.22, p=0.698). The day 1 post operation hemoglobin was higher in the LADG group than the ODG group (12.52+/-1.53 vs. 10.54+/-1.57, p=0.011). There were nosignificant differences in resection margin (6.89+/-2.25 vs. 7.20+/-3.42, p=0.254, 4.05+/-2.57 vs. 3.68+/-2.74, p=0.254) or total number of harvested lymph nodes (30.36+/-10.67 vs. 35.44+/-12.56, p=0.508) between groups. CONCLUSION: In stomach cancer surgery, both ODG and LADG can be used to conduct lymph node dissection. Therefore, if the stability and feasibility of LADG is confirmed by prospective studies at multiple centers, laparoscopic gastrectomy may be extended to advanced gastric cancer as well.

Survey of the Application of the Korean Clinical Practice Recommendations on Breast Cancer Treatment: The Utility of the Korean Breast Cancer Society Guidelines / 한국유방암학회지

This survey was performed to analyze the usability of the third edition of the Korean breast cancer clinical practice guidelines (KBCCPG) in clinical practice. We made a questionnaire composed of 18 general and 82 specific questions regarding benign breast disease (B; 1 question); non-invasive disease (N; 12 questions); early-stage disease (E; 26 questions); advanced disease (A; 24 questions); and metastatic (M) breast cancer-related problems (19 questions). A total of 100 questionnaires, with a link to an online survey, were delivered via e-mail to over 700 members of the Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS), and associated academy members, over 20 days between 26th February and 16th May 2010. Out of 270 respondents who read the e-mail, 96 answered the questionnaire. Participants included 87 surgical oncologists, 5 radiation oncologists, 2 oncoplastic surgeons, 1 pathologist, and 1 medical oncologist. The third KBCCPG were perceived as differing from the second guidelines in terms of the level of clinical evidence required before choosing a recommendation. For the progress of the KBCCPG, the guideline committee should try to reinforce all courses of guideline development with several elements including data from clinical trials of Korean breast cancer patients, securing a multidisciplinary approach, developing consistent and reasonable processes for each step of the revision of the guidelines, induction of liberal scientific and ethical discussion about all issues with all KBCS members. The cost-effectiveness of healthcare and the logical development of the KBCCPG would also be ensured. Timely updates of the clinical guidelines for breast cancer treatment are essential to facilitate optimal decision-making in daily practice, and to ensure adequate patient feedback.

Analysis of the Potent Prognostic Factors in Luminal-Type Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Luminal-type breast cancer has a good prognosis compared to other types, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and triple negative types. Luminal-type breast cancer is classified into luminal A and B, according to the proliferation index. We investigated the clinicopathological factors that affect the prognosis of the luminal-type subgroups. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and the pathologic reports of 159 luminal-type breast cancer patients who were treated between February 2005 and November 2007. We divided luminal-type breast cancer into luminal A and B, according to Ki-67 (cutoff value, 14%) and analyzed the clinicopathologic factors, such as age at diagnosis, intensity score of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, histologic grade, and Bcl-2. Moreover, we compared the disease-free survival (DFS) of each group. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, age (p=0.004), tumor size (p=0.010), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), and Bcl-2 (p=0.002) were statistically significant factors in luminal-type breast cancer. In the multivariate analysis, lymph node (p=0.049) and Bcl-2 (p=0.034) were significant relevant factors in luminal-type breast cancer. In the subgroup analysis, the increased Bcl-2 (cutoff value, 33%) was related with a longer DFS in the luminal B group (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: In our study, luminal A breast cancer showed a longer DFS than luminal B breast cancer, further, Bcl-2 may be a potent prognostic factor in luminal-type breast cancer.

Comparison of Parathyroid Gland Preservation Rates between Open and Endoscopic Total Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Incidental parathyroidectomy is the most common and unexpected consequence of a total thyroidectomy. It can cause hypocalcemia symptoms such as muscle cramping and even seizures. We conducted this study to compare several factors including the preservation rate of parathyroid glands during both a bilateral axillo-breast approach endoscopic thyroidectomy (BABA) and a conventional open thyroidectomy (CT) for papillary thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 299 papillary thyroid cancer patients who had a total thyroidectomy between January 2008 and December 2011. We grouped the patients into two groups: BABA (n=70) and CT (n=229). We analyzed age, tumor size, operation time, the number of preserved and removed parathyroid glands, amount and duration of seroma drainage, pain score, hypocalcemia symptoms, and serum total calcium level in both the BABA and CT groups. RESULTS: We observed a younger age (under 45 years old) (P=0.000), smaller tumor size (P=0.000), longer operation time (P=0.000), larger amount of drainage (P=0.000), longer duration of drainage (P=0.007), and larger pain score (P=0.000) in the BABA group. Of the 70 patients that received an endoscopic thyroidectomy, we preserved all four parathyroid glands in 56 patients (78.6%). Of the 229 patients that received an open thyroidectomy, we preserved all four parathyroid glands in 141 patients (61.6%, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: BABA results in more extensive tissue damage over a longer period of time than CT. However, BABA was an excellent method for preserving parathyroid glands when compared with CT for thyroid carcinoma. Thus, it seems to be feasible performing BABA when it matches the indications.

Comparison of CVF (Cyclophosphamide+Vinorelbine+5-Fluorouracil) and CMF (Cyclophosphamide+Methotrexate+5-Fluorouracil) Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of adjuvant cyclophosphamide/vinorelbine/5-fluorourail (CVF) chemotherapy as an alternative to cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for treating early breast cancer. METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine patients were randomly assigned to CMF or CVF adjuvant chemotherapy for treating their early stage breast cancer between September 2000 and December 2007. The disease-free survival (DFS), the overall survival (OS), and the toxicity profiles of both groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients underwent CMF chemotherapy whereas 82 patients underwent CVF chemotherapy. The DFS and OS were 88 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 76-101 months) and 94 months (95% CI, 83-104 months), respectively for the CMF group, and 97 months (95% CI, 93-101 months), and 101 months (95% CI, 98-104 months), respectively for the CVF group. However, those survival gains of the CVF group were not statistically significant (p-value=0.069 for the DFS and 0.99 for the OS). The CVF group showed a favorable toxicity profile in terms of the grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities as compared to that of the CMF group. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcome of CVF chemotherapy was comparable to CMF with a favorable toxicity profiles. However, it is difficult to conclude the feasibility of CVF regimen because of small number of studied patients.

Comparison of Doxorubicin Plus Docetaxel Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Doxorubicin Plus Vinorelbine in Primary Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of doxorubicin plus docetaxel neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) with doxorubicin plus vinorelbine NC. METHODS: Fifty-three patients underwent 4 cycles of NC consisted of intravenous injection of doxorubicin (50 mg/m2) plus docetaxel (75 mg/m2) administered every 3 weeks (AD), while 49 patients underwent 4 cycles of NC consisted of intravenous injection of doxorubicin (50 mg/m2) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m2) administered every 3 weeks (AN). Response rate and treatment-related toxicities were analyzed by administered chemotherapeutics. Response to NC was also analyzed according to clinicobiological characteristics of the primary tumors. RESULTS: Clinical response was observed in 66% with AN and 81.6% with AD chemotherapy. A complete pathologic response (pCR) was confirmed in 6 patients (11.3%) with AN and in 7 patients (14.3%) with AD after the surgery. Response rate was significantly higher in AD compared with AN (p=0.038), but there was no significant difference between the two group regard to pCR rate. Breast conserving surgery (BCS) was performed in 35.8% of AN group, whereas 20 patients (40.8%) of AD group underwent BCS. The patients with HER2-amplified tumor showed significantly increased response to both types of NC. Pathologic complete response was confirmed in 9 (39.1%) out of 23 HER2-amplified tumors, whereas only 4 (5.1%) of 79 HER2-nonamplified tumors showed pathologic complete response. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 22.6% of total 212 cycles in AN and 38.8% of total 196 cycles in AD. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 39.6% in AN and 43.9% in AD. Grade 3 mucositis was observed in 26.4% with AN and in 40.8% with AD. CONCLUSION: There was no significant increase of pCR by AD compared with AN. Long-term follow-up results of our study indicate that clinical outcome after NC was significantly associated with initial response to NC regardless of therapeutic regimens.

The Prevalence of Ovarian Cancer in Korean Women at High-Risk for Hereditary Breast-Ovarian Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Few studies have reported ovarian cancer risks in Korean patients with the BRCA1/2 mutation. We investigated the prevalence of ovarian cancer in Korean women at high risk for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome and reviewed the clinicopathological factors of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Female subjects who were enrolled in the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer study were included. The questionnaire included a personal and family history of cancer. The BRCA1/2 mutation and CA-125 level were tested at the time of enrollment. A transvaginal ultrasonogram (TVUS) was recommended for subjects with an elevated CA-125 level. RESULTS: A total of 1,689 patients were included. No ovarian cancer was newly diagnosed by CA-125 level or TVUS during the enrollment. The prevalence of ovarian cancer was 1.71% in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and 0.39% in non-carriers. Among 11 patients with ovarian cancer, five had the BRCA1 mutation and one had the BRCA2 mutation. The most common histopathological type was serous cystadenocarcinoma. No difference in clinicopathological findings between BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and non-carriers was observed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ovarian cancer was 58-fold elevated in women at high-risk for HBOC syndrome and 146-fold elevated in the BRCA1 subgroup, compared with the Korean general population. Further investigation with a long-term follow-up is required to evaluate BRCA1/2 gene penetrance.

Silver-Enhanced In Situ Hybridization as an Alternative to Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Assaying HER2 Amplification in Clinical Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Valid determination of HER2 status is a prerequisite to establish an adequate treatment strategy for breast cancer patients, regardless of the disease stage. The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility of the newly developed silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) technique as an alternative to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for HER2 assay in primary invasive breast cancer. METHODS: FISH and SISH for HER2 amplification were performed using tissue microarray. Both methods were used in 257 consecutive primary breast cancers. RESULTS: HER2 amplification was observed in 62 (23.1%) of a total of 257 breast cancers based on SISH. Of the 257 breast cancers measured using both methods, the results of the two methods were consistent in 248 (concordance, 96.5%; kappa=0.903). When we compared HER2 amplification in the primary tumor with the metastatic lymph nodes of the same patients, HER2 amplification was observed in nine cases (14.0%) out of 64 cases in which HER2 was not amplified in the primary tumors. In contrast, HER2 status was completely preserved in metastatic lymph nodes showing HER2 amplification in the primary tumor. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that SISH can be a feasible alternative to FISH in the clinical setting. In node-positive breast cancer, confirmation of the HER2 status of the metastatic lymph nodes appears to be mandatory, regardless of the HER2 status of the primary tumors.

Lymphovascular Invasion and HER2/neu Amplification as Predictive Factors for Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Breast Cancer Patients / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) can occur even in breast cancer smaller than 2 cm in size. This study was performed to investigate the clinicopathologic factors that affect node metastasis in T1 breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the medical record of 206 T1 breast cancer patients and we divided them into two groups according to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis. We analyzed the association between ALNM and various clinicopathological predictive factors such as age, tumor size (T1a, T1b, T1c), multiplicity, the histologic grade, the nuclear grade, the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the estrogen and progesterone receptor status, an HER2/neu expression, the Ki-67 labeling index and the bcl-2 expression. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine were the node negative group (T1N0) and the remaining 67 cases were allotted to the node positive group (T1N1-3). On the univariate analysis, age (p=0.011), LVI (p<0.001), histologic grade (p=0.019), HER2/neu (p<0.005), Ki-67 (p=0.012) and bcl-2 (p=0.026) were the statistically significant predictive factors related to node metastasis. But on the multivariate analysis, LVI (p<0.001) and HER2/neu (p=0.009) were the statistically significant factors related to node metastasis. CONCLUSION: LVI and HER2/neu overexpression were related to the increased incidence of ALNM in T1 breast cancer patients. LVI was the most predictive factor of ALNM.

Expression Profiles of Retinoblastoma Protein and p27Kip1 According to HER2 Amplification Status in Primary Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)/neu amplification affects the cell proliferation through the modulation of multiple G1 cell cycle regulators in breast tumor cells. We performed this study to investigate whether retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and p27Kip1 were differently expressed according to the HER2 amplification status in human breast cancer. METHODS: HER2 amplification was assayed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and the expression of cell cycle regulators were assayed by immunohistochemistry on 153 consecutive invasive breast cancers. The proliferative activity of breast cancer was analyzed according to the HER2 amplification and cell cycle protein expression status. RESULTS: HER2 amplification was observed in 39 (25.5%) of 153 breast cancers. In the HER2 amplified breast cancers, the pRB expression was significantly increased (p=0.011) whereas there was no significant relationship between HER2 amplification and p27Kip1 expression. There was an inverse correlation between pRB expression and Ki-67 labeling index in the HER2 amplified breast cancers (p=0.036). In contrast, Ki67 labeling index was significantly decreased as p27Kip1 expression increased in HER2 non-amplified breast cancers (p=0.028). In HER2 non-amplified breast cancers, we could not observe any association between the pRB expression and Ki67 labeling index. CONCLUSION: The proliferation of the breast cancers was associated with pRB expression in HER2 amplified tumors whereas it was associated with p27Kip1 expression in HER2 non-amplified tumors. The results of the current study indicate that the cell proliferative activity of the breast cancer is under different growth signal pathways according to HER2 amplification status.

Radiologic Findings of Granulomatous Mastitis

PURPOSE: To describe the radiologic findings of granulomatous mastitis of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 19 patients (age range: 22 to 56 years; mean 37 years) with 22 lesions that were pathologically confirmed as having granulomatous mastitis. All the patients underwent a breast ultrasonography and 13 patients underwent a mammography. RESULTS: The results of the mammography revealed focal asymmetry (n=9), multiple ill-defined isodense nodules (n=2), ill-defined nodular density on a craniocaudal view (n=1), and unremarkable finding (n=1). The sonographic findings included continuous or discontinuous multiple tubular and nodular low echoic lesions (n=7), ill-defined heterogeneously low echoic lesion (n=5), irregular-shaped, ill-defined low echoic mass (n=4), fluid collection with internal floating materials suggesting the presence of an abscess (n=4), ill-defined heterogeneously low echoic lesion and abscess (n=1), and multiple ill-defined nodules (n=1). CONCLUSION: In the case of granulomatous mastitis, the mammography results indicate a lack of specificity between normal findings and focal asymmetry. The sonographic findings indicate that ill-defined heterogeneously low echoic lesions or irregularly shaped, ill-defined low echoic masses are difficult to differentiate from breast cancer. The sonographic findings of abscesses indicate a difficulty in differentiating them from cases of pyogenic mastitis. However, multiple tubular and nodular low echoic lesions, especially with a continuous appearance, should point to granulomatous mastitis, and is helpful in its differential diagnosis and treatment.

Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Adrenalectomy / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Advancements in technology and surgical skill have extended the applications of minimally invasive surgery, and various studies have suggested that laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) might lead to better clinical outcomes compared to open surgery. We reviewed our experience in order to evaluate the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy (OA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 41 patients who underwent surgery for adrenal lesions between 1998 and 2006. Outcome measurements included gender, age, diagnosis, lesion size, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, procedure-related complications, time to first oral intake, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: There were 19 LAs and 22 OAs. There were no significant differences in gender, age, lesion location (right or left), comorbidity, complications, or postoperative hospital stay. The mean operative time was longer in the LA group than in the OA group (OA 215, LA 273 min, P=0.048). Resumption of oral intake occurred at 3.4 days in the OA group and at 1.9 days in the LA group (P<0.001), and the incidence of bleeding that required transfusion was 58% in the OA group and 21% in the LA group (P=0.018). We divided the LA group into 14 pure LAs (pLA) and 5 conversions from laparoscopic procedures to open adrenalectomy (CA). Significant postoperative complications occurred in the OA, pLA, and CA groups at rates of 18%, 14%, and 80%, respectively (OA vs pLA, P=0.569 pLA vs CA, P=0.017 OA vs CA, P=0.017), and postoperative hospital stays were 11.1, 5.7, and 19.6 days for each group, respectively (OA vs pLA, P=0.005 pLA vs CA, P<0.001 OA vs CA, P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent pLA had similar postoperative complications, but shorter hospital stays and shorter times to first oral intake compared to OA. Patients in the CA group had longer operative times, longer postoperative hospital stays, and significantly higher rates of variable complications compared to the pLA and OA groups. Careful preoperative selection of patients for LA is important to avoid unnecessary CA.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Local Recurrences after Thyroid Surgery in Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed factors affecting local recurrences in AGES low risk papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). METHODS: The clinical records of 89 patients who underwent thyroidectomy because of PTC were reviewed. Seventy patients had belonged to low risk PTC according to the AGES classification scheme. The clinical data of these patients concerning disease recurrence was analyzed considering age, gender, operative methods, tumor size, lymph node (LN) metastasis, postoperative radioactive iodine scan (RI scan ¹³¹I), and Synthyroid® intake. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients, 56 were female (80%). Thirtyseven patients underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck LN dissection and 33 patients underwent partial thyroidectomy with ipsilateral central neck LN dissection. Mean tumor size was 2 cm (0.4~6 cm) and 31 patients had LN metastasis. Levels were 2 cm (P=0.030) and partial thyroidectomy (P=0.045). There was no significant association between local recurrence and age, gender, extrathyroidal extension, LN metastasis, RI scan ¹³¹I, or Synthyroid® intake. CONCLUSION: Partial thyroidectomy and tumor size >2 cm are significantly associated with local recurrence in AGES low risk papillary thyroid carcinomas.