A standardized pathology report for gastric cancer: 2nd edition

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer: 2nd Edition

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements.The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Post-acute Stroke Patients’ Rehabilitation Adherence / 재활간호학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial factors that affect resilience, social support, uncertainty, and depression on rehabilitation adherence in post-acute stroke patients. @*Methods@#Data were collected from 2019 September 2 to 2020 February 4 using structured questionnaires. Participants were 124 patients who visited a university-affiliated hospital in C city. Using SPSS/WIN 21.0 program, the data were analyzed with independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé ́ test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. @*Results@#Rehabilitation adherence among stroke patients was positively correlated with resilience (r=.38, p<.001), social support (r=.43, p<.001), and negatively correlated with uncertainty (r=-.28, p=.002). The most influencing factor of rehabilitation adherence among stroke patients was inconvenience in daily life (β=.29, p=.001), resilience (β=.25, p=.012), social support (β=.23, p=.021), activities of daily living (β=.17, p=.038), and uncertainty (β=-.22, p=.017). The relevant variables have a 30.6% influence (F=11.85, p<.001) on the rehabilitation adherence of stroke patients. @*Conclusion@#Nursing professionals should pay attention to providing personalized and targeted approaches to maximize stroke patients’ resilience and social support and reduce their uncertainty. There is a need to provide and activate integrated programs that identify and link family and community support systems.

Risk factors for central and lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Background@#Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is commonly observed in papillary thyroid carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for LNM in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. @*Methods@#The clinicopathological factors of 417 patients were investigated, and differences according to the presence or absence of LNM were evaluated. @*Results@#LNM was associated with age 10 mm, multiple and bilateral tumors, tumor involving the lower pole or entire lobe, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), and extrathyroidal extension (ETE). Univariable and multivariable analyses showed that age 10 mm, LVI, and ETE were related to central LNM. Male sex, tumor size >10 mm, and LVI were correlated with lateral LNM (p10 mm, multifocality, PNI, ETE, and the absence of lymphocytic thyroiditis (p10 mm, LVI, and ETE were risk factors for central LNM, while male sex, tumor size >10 mm, and LVI were risk factors for lateral LNM. ENE was more commonly observed in lateral LNM, and tumor size >10 mm, multifocal tumors, PNI, ETE, and tumors unrelated to lymphocytic thyroiditis were risk factors for ENE.

Correlation of long interspersed element-1 open reading frame 1 and c-Met proto-oncogene protein expression in primary and recurrent colorectal cancers / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Background@#Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Colorectal cancer that has recurred and metastasized to other organs also has a very poor prognosis. According to recent studies, the long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposon open reading frame (ORF) is located in the intron of the c-Met proto-oncogene, which is involved in cancer progression and metastasis, and regulates its expression. However, no study has compared the expression patterns of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met, which are closely related to cancer progression and metastasis, and their correlation in primary and recurrent cancers. @*Methods@#In the present study, we compared the expression patterns of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met in both primary and recurrent colorectal cancer tissues from 10 patients. Expression patterns and correlations between LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met proto-oncogene proteins were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining using both LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met antibodies. @*Results@#The expression patterns of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met showed significant individual differences, and the expression of both proteins was correlated in all colorectal cancer patients. However, the expression levels of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met were not significantly different between primary and recurrent colorectal cancers. @*Conclusions@#The protein expression levels of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met were correlated, but did not change significantly in cases of recurrent colorectal cancer in the same patient.

Standardization of the pathologic diagnosis of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms

Although the understanding of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) and their relationship with disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease have advanced, the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AMNs are still confusing for pathologists and clinicians. The Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists (GPSG-KSP) proposed a multicenter study and held a workshop for the “Standardization of the Pathologic Diagnosis of the Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm” to overcome the controversy and potential conflicts. The present article is focused on the diagnostic criteria, terminologies, tumor grading, pathologic staging, biologic behavior, treatment, and prognosis of AMNs and disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease. In addition, GPSG-KSP proposes a checklist of standard data elements of appendiceal epithelial neoplasms to standardize pathologic diagnosis. We hope the present article will provide pathologists with updated knowledge on how to handle and diagnose AMNs and disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease.

Standardization of the pathologic diagnosis of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms

Although the understanding of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) and their relationship with disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease have advanced, the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AMNs are still confusing for pathologists and clinicians. The Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists (GPSG-KSP) proposed a multicenter study and held a workshop for the “Standardization of the Pathologic Diagnosis of the Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm” to overcome the controversy and potential conflicts. The present article is focused on the diagnostic criteria, terminologies, tumor grading, pathologic staging, biologic behavior, treatment, and prognosis of AMNs and disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease. In addition, GPSG-KSP proposes a checklist of standard data elements of appendiceal epithelial neoplasms to standardize pathologic diagnosis. We hope the present article will provide pathologists with updated knowledge on how to handle and diagnose AMNs and disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease.

Factors Influencing Fear of Dementia among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Purpose@#This study was performed to identify the factors influencing the fear of dementia in middle-aged and older adults. @*Methods@#Data on the characteristics, dementia knowledge, dementia attitude, dementia health beliefs, and fear of dementia of 156 participants were collected from January 20 to March 22, 2018, using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program for descriptive statistics, using an independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. @*Results@#Significant factors associated with fear of dementia among middle-aged and older adults were subjective life satisfaction (F=3.72, p=.006) and regular exercise (t=6.05, p=.015). Fear of dementia has positive correlations with dementia attitude, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived barrier. The determining factors affecting fear of dementia in middle-aged and older adults were perceived severity (β=.46, p<.001), followed by a perceived barrier (β=.20, p=.004) and perceived susceptibility (β=.17, p=.023), and the explanation power was about 47.8%. @*Conclusion@#The results suggest that perceived severity, perceived barrier, and perceived susceptibility be considered in developing the nursing interventions to increase perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and to decrease perceived barrier to dementia by evaluating dementia health beliefs to manage the fear of dementia among middle-aged and older adults.

Colorectal epithelial neoplasm associated with gut-associated lymphoid tissue

Background@#Colorectal epithelial neoplasm extending into the submucosal gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) can cause difficulties in the differential diagnosis. Regarding GALT-associated epithelial neoplasms, a few studies favor the term “GALT carcinoma” while other studies have mentioned the term “GALT-associated pseudoinvasion/epithelial misplacement (PEM)”. @*Methods@#The clinicopathologic characteristics of 11 cases of colorectal epithelial neoplasm associated with submucosal GALT diagnosed via endoscopic submucosal dissection were studied. @*Results@#Eight cases (72.7%) were in males. The median age was 59 years, and age ranged from 53 to 73. All cases had a submucosal tumor component more compatible with GALT-associated PEM. Eight cases (72.7%) were located in the right colon. Ten cases (90.9%) had a non-protruding endoscopic appearance. Nine cases (81.8%) showed continuity between the submucosal and surface adenomatous components. Nine cases showed (81.8%) focal defects or discontinuation of the muscularis mucosae adjacent to the submucosal GALT. No case showed hemosiderin deposits in the submucosa or desmoplastic reaction. No case showed single tumor cells or small clusters of tumor cells in the submucosal GALT. Seven cases (63.6%) showed goblet cells in the submucosa. No cases showed oncocytic columnar cells lining submucosal glands. @*Conclusions@#Our experience suggests that pathologists should be aware of the differential diagnosis of GALT-associated submucosal extension by colorectal adenomatous neoplasm. Further studies are needed to validate classification of GALT-associated epithelial neoplasms.

Standardized Pathology Report for Colorectal Cancer, 2nd Edition

The first edition of the ‘Standardized Pathology Report for Colorectal Cancer,’ which was developed by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group (GIP) of the Korean Society of Pathologists, was published 13 years ago. Meanwhile, there have been many changes in the pathologic diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), pathologic findings included in the pathology report, and immunohistochemical and molecular pathology required for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. In order to reflect these changes, we (GIP) decided to make the second edition of the report. The purpose of this standardized pathology report is to provide a practical protocol for Korean pathologists, which could help diagnose and treat CRC patients. This report consists of “standard data elements” and “conditional data elements.” Basic pathologic findings and parts necessary for prognostication of CRC patients are classified as “standard data elements,” while other prognostic factors and factors related to adjuvant therapy are classified as “conditional data elements” so that each institution could select the contents according to the characteristics of the institution. The Korean version is also provided separately so that Korean pathologists can easily understand and use this report. We hope that this report will be helpful in the daily practice of CRC diagnosis.

Pancreatic High-Grade Neuroendocrine Neoplasms in the Korean Population: A Multicenter Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The most recent 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) has refined the three-tiered 2010 scheme by separating grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (G3 PanNETs) from poorly differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (PanNECs). However, differentiating between G3 Pan- NETs and PanNECs is difficult in clinical practice. @*Materials and Methods@#Eighty-two surgically resected PanNENs were collected from 16 institutions and reclassified according to the 2017 WHO classification based on the histological features and proliferation index (mitosis and Ki-67). Immunohistochemical stains for ATRX, DAXX, retinoblastoma, p53, Smad4, p16, and MUC1 were performed for 15 high-grade PanNENs. @*Results@#Re-classification resulted in 20 G1 PanNETs (24%), 47 G2 PanNETs (57%), eight G3 well-differentiated PanNETs (10%), and seven poorly differentiated PanNECs (9%). PanNECs showed more frequent diffuse nuclear atypia, solid growth patterns and apoptosis, less frequent organoid growth and regular vascular patterns, and absence of low-grade PanNET components than PanNETs. The Ki-67 index was significantly higher in PanNEC (58.2%± 15.1%) compared to G3 PanNET (22.6%±6.1%, p < 0.001). Abnormal expression of any two of p53, p16, MUC1, and Smad4 could discriminate PanNECs from G3 PanNETs with 100% specificity and 87.5% sensitivity. @*Conclusion@#Histological features supporting the diagnosis of PanNECs over G3 PanNETs were the absence of a low-grade PanNET component in the tumor, the presence of diffuse marked nuclear atypia, solid growth pattern, frequent apoptosis and markedly increased proliferative activity with homogeneous Ki-67 labeling. Immunohistochemical stains for p53, p16, MUC1, and Smad4 may be helpful in distinguishing PanNECs from G3 PanNETs in histologically ambiguous cases, especially in diagnostic practice when only small biopsied tissues are available.

A Incidentally Diagnosed Duodenal Subepithelial Mass: Gangliocytic Paraganglioma Treated by Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a very rare tumor that is usually located in the duodenum. It is characterized by benign behavior and favorable outcomes; however, it sometimes shows regional lymph node metastasis. The clinical management of gangliocytic paraganglioma has not yet been standardized. A 36-year-old Korean man visited Kosin University Gospel Hospital for the management of a duodenal subepithelial mass that was detected incidentally. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed without any adverse events. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed gangliocytic paraganglioma. The patient has remained in good health during the 6 months of follow-up after the procedure.

Inter-observer Reproducibility in the Pathologic Diagnosis of Gastric Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Early Carcinoma in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Specimens: A Multi-center Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The diagnostic criteria of gastric intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) are controversial across the world. We investigated how many discrepancies occur in the pathologic diagnosis of IEN and early gastric carcinoma in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) specimens, and evaluated the reasons of the discordance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1,202 ESD specimens that were originally diagnosed as gastric IEN and early carcinoma at 12 institutions. RESULTS: The final consensus diagnosis of carcinoma were 756 cases, which were originally 692 carcinomas (91.5%), 43 high-grade dysplasias (5.7%), 20 low-grade dysplasias (2.6%), and 1 others (0.1%), respectively. High- and low-grade dysplasia were finally made in 63 and 342 cases, respectively. The diagnostic concordance with the consensus diagnosis was the highest for carcinoma (91.5%), followed by low-grade dysplasia (86.3%), others (63.4%) and high-grade dysplasia (50.8%). The general kappa value was 0.83, indicating excellent concordance. The kappa values of individual institutions ranged from 0.74 to 1 and correlated with the proportion of carcinoma cases. The cases revised to a final diagnosis of carcinoma exhibited both architectural abnormalities and cytologic atypia. The main differential points between low- and high-grade dysplasias were the glandular distribution and glandular shape. Additional features such as the glandular axis, surface maturation, nuclear stratification and nuclear polarity were also important. CONCLUSION: The overall concordance of the diagnosis of gastric IEN and early carcinoma in ESD specimens was excellent. It correlated with the proportion of carcinoma cases, demonstrating that the diagnostic criteria for carcinoma are more reproducible than those for dysplasia.

Risk of Delayed Bleeding after a Colorectal Endoscopic Mucosal Resection without Prophylactic Clipping: Single Center, Observational Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bleeding is one of the major complications of a colorectal polypectomy. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of delayed bleeding, particularly after a colorectal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) without prophylactic clipping.METHODS: Between April 2014 and August 2014, patients who underwent colorectal EMR (≥6 mm and < 2 cm) without prophylactic clipping were included. This study evaluated the incidence of delayed bleeding and the associated factors after colorectal EMR without prophylactic clipping.RESULTS: A total of 717 colorectal polyps (≥6 mm and < 2 cm) of 243 patients resected by colorectal EMR in the study period were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 63 years; 165 patients were men and 78 patients were women. The mean polyp size removed by colorectal EMR was 9.0 mm (range 6.0–19.0), and the number of polyps larger than 1 cm was 212 (29.6%). Delayed bleeding after colorectal EMR occurred in 12 polyps (1.7%) in eight patients (3.3%), and there were no significant risk factors affecting delayed bleeding.CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that the incidence of delayed bleeding on colorectal polyps (≥6 mm and < 2 cm) after EMR without prophylactic clipping was 3.3%, but no significant risk factors affecting delayed bleeding were found.

The Relevance between Biological Nursing Subjects and Registered Nurse Licensure Examination Workbook in Republic of Korea and the United States of America

PURPOSE: This is a descriptive study to investigate the relevance between biological nursing science subjects (structure and function of the human body (SFHB), mechanism and effects of drugs (MED), clinical microbiology) and examination workbook items for Registered Nurse Licensure Examination (RNLE) in Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States of America (USA). METHODS: RNLE 8 workbooks which were published by the Korean Nurses Association were utilized for analysis of Korean RNLE. Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN® examination was used for analysis of US RNLE. The relevance between items in the standard syllabuses of biological nursing science subjects (SFHB, MED, clinical microbiology) and the RNLE items of these workbooks in ROK and the USA was analyzed. RESULTS: The relevance rates of ROK and the USA were 3.6% vs 0.4% in SFHB, 8.9% vs 23.0% in MED, and 4.5% vs 5.8% in clinical microbiology. CONCLUSION: In SFHB, the relevance of the RNLE in ROK was higher than that of the USA. However in MED the relevance of the RNLE in USA was higher than that of the ROK. Since medications are one of major tasks of nurses, it is necessary to increase the number of related items in the RNLE in ROK.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is a clinically useful predictor for aggressive basal cell carcinoma / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumors are locally invasive but rarely metastatic. However, aggressive metastatic variants are being increasingly reported in elderly people. Here we investigated the clinical utility of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a predictive biomarker for aggressive BCC variants. METHODS: Thirty-five pathologically confirmed cases of BCC that underwent surgical removal in the Plastic Surgery Department between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012 were studied. VEGF expression was analyzed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue by immunohistochemical staining. Positive staining was defined as more than 10% of the tumor cells showing immunoreactivity. The associations of VEGF expression with various clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The face was the most prevalent site (28/35), with 15 cases from the nose, 6 cases from the eyelid, and 5 cases from the cheek. The patients were aged between 41 and 86 years, with a mean age of 69.26 ± 173.903 years. The mean BCC size was 1.34 ± 3.853 cm, with a range of 0.3 cm to 12.0 cm. The mean tumor invasion depth from the basement epidermal membrane was 0.17 ± 0.035 cm, with a range of 0.03 cm to 1.10 cm. A mean of 5.66 ± 20.938 intraoperative frozen section slides were examined. VEGF was not expressed in 14 of the 35 patients (40.0%), whereas 42.9% of the patients had low expression and 17.1% of the patients had high expression. VEGF expression was significantly associated with age (P = 0.022), size (P = 0.030), site (P = 0.013), tumor invasion depth (P = 0.019), and number of intraoperatively frozen sections (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VEGF expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry can predict aggressive or poor prognosis in BCC.

Updates of Nursing Practice Guideline for Intravenous Infusion / 임상간호연구

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to update the existing nursing practice guideline for intravenous infusion guidelines according to the evidence-based practice guideline in South Korea. METHODS: Guideline update process was performed using 22 steps according to the manuals developed by NICE and SIGN. RESULTS: Updated nursing practice guidelines for the intravenous infusion were consisted of 23 domains and 322 recommendations. The number of recommendations in each domain were 4 for general instruction, 12 for vascular access device selection, 20 for site selection, 9 for insertion, 54 for stabilization, 21 for maintaining patency, 4 for blood sampling, 33 for exchange and removal, 28 for add-on device selection, 28, 72 for infusion related complications, 56 for infusion therapies, 7 for education, and 2 for documentation and report. There were 15.9% of A, 30.2% of B, 53.9% of C in terms of grade recommendations. A total of 178 (51.6%) recommendations were newly developed and 24 previous recommendations have been deleted. CONCLUSION: Updated nursing practice guideline for intravenous infusion was expected to be an evidence-based practice guideline for intravenous infusion in South Korea. This guideline is suggested to be disseminated to clinical nursing settings nationwide to improve the efficiency of intravenous infusion practice.

Minimal Resection of Jejuna Dieulafoy's Lesion Using an Intraoperative Fluoroscopic Localization of the Metallic Coils Used in Angiography / 대한소화기학회지

Dieulafoy's lesions of the Jejunum are extremely rare. Therefore, localization of lesions is very difficult due to their small size and tendency of occasional bleeding. However, it is important to mention the location of the Dieulafoy's lesions to prevent excessive intestinal resections or, even worse, resection of the normal intestine. We report a case of preoperative localization of a Dieulafoy's lesion embolized by a metallic coil that allows a surgeon to accurately identify the bleeding, permitting a minimally invasive surgical treatment. A 25-year-old man presented with massive hematochezia. There was no definite bleeding focus on the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy. An angiography found a persistent extravasation of the contrast media at the end of straight artery of the mid-jejunal branch, around the terminal ileum, embolized with metallic coils immediately. The combination of embolized metallic coils and intraoperative fluoroscopy allowed accurate identification and minimal laparotomy. Consequently, a highly selective and minimal resection of the jejunum containing the dieulafoy lesion was possible without any postoperative complications.

Correction: Minimal Resection of Jejuna Dieulafoy's Lesion Using an Intraoperative Fluoroscopic Localization of the Metallic Coils Used in Angiography / 대한소화기학회지

This correction is being published to correct the 6th author's English name in the article.

Gastric Cancer Recurrence in 12 Years after Surgical Resection / 대한소화기학회지

Recurrence of gastric cancer after 10 years of surgical resection is highly rare. There are limited data on the surveillance of patients with gastric cancer after 10 years from gastrectomy. A 50-year-old man presented to the gastroenterology clinic at our hospital for the management of abnormal findings on a routine colonoscopic exam. He had undergone gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer 12 years ago. At presentation, colonoscopic examination revealed asymmetrically edematous and hyperemic mucosal change with luminal narrowing on transverse colon. Abdominal computed tomography showed no evidence of distant metastasis, except for focal bowel wall thickening on transverse colon. He underwent a laparoscopic right-hemicolectomy, and the resected specimen revealed a recurrent and metastatic lesion. We report a case of recurrence of gastric cancer after 10 years from surgical resection with relevant literature review.