Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Cancer-related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects of an Exercise Adherence Program / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to determine the effect of an exercise intervention on subjective cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in breast cancer survivors (BCS). @*Methods@#BCS with greater than moderate CRF (≥ 4) were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental group participated in a 12-week exercise adherence program (Better Life after Cancer - Energy, Strength, and Support; BLESS). Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were determined at 3 time points (M1: baseline, M2: post-intervention, and M4: 6 months after intervention). Subjective fatigue was measured using the Korean version of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale. @*Results@#In this analysis of participants with physiological fatigue measures available (19 experimental, 21 control), there were no statistically significant differences in IL-6 (F = 1.157, p = 0.341), TNF-α levels (F = 0.878, p = 0.436), and level of fatigue (F = 2.067, p = 0.118) between the 2 groups at baseline. Fatigue in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvement compared to the control only at M2 (p = 0.022). There was no significant relationship between subjective and physiological fatigue at the 3 measurement points. @*Conclusion@#The BLESS intervention improved CRF in BCS immediately at post-intervention, and this study presents clinical feasibility for the management of CRF in BCS in the early survivorship phase who are already experiencing fatigue.

Mammography Screening according to Breast Cancer Disease and Social Network Characteristics of Married Korean Women / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine differences in mammography screening according to breast cancer and social network characteristic. METHODS: Data were collected from 187 married women 35 years and older who were using public health centers, health promotion centers, cultural centers, obstetrics and gynecology hospitals or other relevant community sites. Data were collected between October 24 and December 4, 2008. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 15.0 program. RESULTS: The participation rate for mammography screening was 35.3%. The following general and breast cancer characteristics showed statistically significant differences: religion, family incomes, regular medical-care, general health examinations during past 2 years, and history of breast disease. The following social network characteristics showed statistically significant differences: social norms and subjective norms. Using logistic regression analysis, regular medical-care, breast cancer risk appraisal, social norm, and subjective norms were highly predictive of subsequent mammography. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that it is important to develop and provide tailored intervention programs through integrated socially mediated programs. By consciously including social network and support systems, breast cancer detection efforts would not end as a one-time event, but naturally build on network structure of adults women, thus facilitating regular mammography screening.

Effects of Abdominal Breathing on Anxiety, Blood Pressure, Peripheral Skin Temperature and Saturation Oxygen of Pregnant Women in Preterm Labor / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the effects of abdominal breathing on VAS-Anxiety (VAS-A), blood pressure, peripheral skin temperature and saturation oxygen in pregnant women in preterm labor. METHODS: The study design was a matched control group interrupted time series. Forty-six women matched to gestational age were assigned to either the experimental group (26) or control group (20). Data were collected between March 2007 and May 2008. For the experimental treatment the women performed abdominal breathing 30 times, which took 5 minutes, and did one set of 5-minute abdominal breathing daily for three days. Data collection was done before and after the abdominal breathing to measure VAS-A, blood pressure, peripheral skin temperature and oxygen saturation. Descriptive, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data with the SPSS/PC+Win 15.0 program. RESULTS: For the experimental group there were significant decreases in VAS-A (Z=-4.37, p=.00), systolic blood pressure (Z=-3.38, p=.00), and an increase in skin temperature (Z=-4.50, p=.00) and oxygen saturation (Z=-3.66, p=.00). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that abdominal breathing in pregnant women in preterm labor results in decreases in anxiety(VAS-A) including biological evidences such as systolic blood pressure, and increases in peripheral skin temperature and oxygen saturation. Further longitudinal study is needed on the lasting effects and obstetric and neonatal outcomes following abdominal breathing.

Mucinous Borderline tumor associated with Mature Cystic Teratoma of Ovary / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous borderline tumor associated with mature cystic teratoma and the origin of its cell type. METHODS: Five patients who were diagnosed as mucinous borderline tumor associated with mature cystic teratoma and treated in Samsung Cheil Hospital from January 1996 to September 2004 were analyzed. In addition MEDLINE, other data bases in English as well as in Korean revealed two more cases. We analyzed the result with patient's characteristics, preoperative symptoms, mass sizes, serum CA-125, operative procedure, stages, recurrence and survival period. Histological slides of the specimens were analysed for expression of cytokeratin (CK)-7 and cytokeratin (CK)-20 by immunohistochemical staining to know the origin of the cell. RESULTS: The mean age was 45 years (25-61 years). Preoperative symptoms were palpable abdominal mass, abdominal pain and urinary frequency. The mean level of CA-125 was 46.05 U/mL and the mean tumor size was 16.75 cm (8.8-22.0 cm). Post surgical FIGO staging was; stage Ia in 6 cases, stage Ic in 1 case. Four cases were CK7(-)/CK20(+), reflecting gastrointestinal origin, and also showed pattern of pseudomyxoma peritoneii. Mean survival period was 32.7 months (6-67 months) without evidence of recurrence, except one case. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that mucinous borderline tumor associated with mature cystic teratoma, is diagnosed at relatively young age and early stage, associated with good prognosis.

A Case of Marked Hydroureter, Misdiagnosed as a Hydrosalpinx by Ultrasound / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The retroperitoneal space of the posterior abdomen and the pelvic retroperitoneum contain the major neural, vascular and lymphatic supply to the pelvic viscera, the urinary system and colorectal system. A pain or mass in the pelvis may arise primarily from the reproductive organs, but it may just as easily arise from the retroperitoneal space, include the urinary tract and the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the gynecologic surgeon should be aware of the various conditions associated with retroperitoneal mass and the correct management of these disorders. Hydroureter may misdiagnose as a pelvic mass or retroperitoneal mass. The cause of hydroureter is mainly secondary obstruction such as malignancy, idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and pelvic disease but primary obstructive megaureter should be considered. This report describes a case of marked hydroureter, misdiagnosed as a hydrosalpinx by ultrasound.

A Case of Marked Hydroureter, Misdiagnosed as a Hydrosalpinx by Ultrasound / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The retroperitoneal space of the posterior abdomen and the pelvic retroperitoneum contain the major neural, vascular and lymphatic supply to the pelvic viscera, the urinary system and colorectal system. A pain or mass in the pelvis may arise primarily from the reproductive organs, but it may just as easily arise from the retroperitoneal space, include the urinary tract and the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the gynecologic surgeon should be aware of the various conditions associated with retroperitoneal mass and the correct management of these disorders. Hydroureter may misdiagnose as a pelvic mass or retroperitoneal mass. The cause of hydroureter is mainly secondary obstruction such as malignancy, idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and pelvic disease but primary obstructive megaureter should be considered. This report describes a case of marked hydroureter, misdiagnosed as a hydrosalpinx by ultrasound.