A Case of Collision Tumor Composed of Dermatofibroma and Ito Nevus / 대한피부과학회지

Collision tumors in which two different skin tumors appear in one lesion have often been reported. The cause of the collision tumor is not clearly known, but there is an opinion that it is a simple coincidence, and other authors assumed that one tumor will cause another. This rare but well-documented phenomenon often presents a diagnostic challenge to dermatologists due to its unusual and nonspecific presentation. We experienced a case of a 32-year-old woman who came to our hospital with a 1.5×1.5-cm-sized red-brown nodule with a surrounding brown patch on her right posterior shoulder that had been present since her childhood. Histologically, this lesion was thought to be a collision tumor with dermatofibroma and Ito nevus in the same lesion. No further treatment was done for this patient and a close follow-up is ongoing. Herein, we reported a first case of collision tumor with dermatofibroma and Ito nevus.

Quality of life outcomes from the randomized trial of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy following cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer (KOV-HIPEC-01) / 부인종양

Objective@#To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) related to hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) following primary or interval cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer. @*Methods@#Between 2010 and 2016, a total of 184 patients were randomly assigned to receive cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (n=92) or without HIPEC (n=92). Quality of life (QOL) assessment was evaluated at baseline (before surgery); on postoperative day 7; after the 3rd and 6th cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy; and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomization. Patient-reported QOL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30), ovarian cancer questionnaire modules (QLQ-OV28), and the MD Anderson Symptoms Inventory (MDASI). @*Results@#Of the 184 patients enrolled, 165 (83/92 in the HIPEC group and 82/92 in the control group) participated in the baseline QOL assessment. There were no statistically significant differences in functional scales and symptom scales in QLQ-C30; symptom scales, including gastrointestinal symptoms QLQ-OV28; and severity and impact score in MDASI between the 2 treatment groups until 12 months after randomization. @*Conclusion@#HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery showed no statistically significant difference in HRQOL outcomes. Thus, implementation of HIPEC during either primary or interval cytoreductive surgery does not impair HRQOL.

Rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin: pharmacokinetics, tissue concentrations, and toxicities in a pig model / 부인종양

Objective@#We used paclitaxel and cisplatin, known to be effective in intraperitoneal chemotherapy, in a novel prototype of rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy (RIPAC) and evaluated the pharmacokinetics, tissue concentrations, and toxicities in a pig model. @*Methods@#We developed RIPAC, including the nozzle with the conical pendulum motion, and used 10% of intravenous doses of paclitaxel and cisplatin. We used high-performance liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry to analyze serum and tissue concentrations. We applied a non-compartment model to study pharmacokinetics to analyze the time-dependent serum concentrations measured before RIPAC to 48 hours. We evaluated the difference in tissue concentrations between twelve peritoneal regions by the modified peritoneal cancer index. For evaluating toxicities, we observed hepatic and renal function until 4 days after RIPAC. @*Results@#Six pigs underwent RIPAC using paclitaxel (n=3) and cisplatin (n=3). The peak serum concentration (Cmax) and the area under the curve were higher for cisplatin, while the time to the peak serum concentration (Tmax) was longer for paclitaxel. Moreover, the parietal peritoneum showed higher tissue concentrations than the visceral peritoneum, and the ratio of tissue to serum concentrations using Cmax was higher for paclitaxel (172.2–6,237.9) than for cisplatin (0.1–9.3). However, there were no renal and hepatic toxicities after RIPAC with paclitaxel or cisplatin. @*Conclusion@#Delayed absorption of paclitaxel sprayed by RIPAC into the peritoneum to the bloodstream may lead to higher tissue concentrations at different regions and lower serum concentrations than cisplatin.

The Association between Behavioral Risk Factors and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease

Purpose@#We aimed to determine the relationship between environmental exposure and nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#A group of 150 patients with NTM-PD and a control group of 217 patients with other respiratory diseases were prospectively enrolled between June 2018 and December 2020 in Seoul, Korea. They were surveyed with a standardized questionnaire, and their medical records were reviewed. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with multivariate logistic regression analysis. @*Results@#The mean ages of the NTM-PD and control groups were similar (63.8±9.2 years vs. 63.5±10.0 years; p=0.737), and most patients were female (76.0% vs. 68.7%; p=0.157) and nonsmokers (82.0% vs. 72.8%; p=0.021). Mycobacterium avium (49.3%) was the most commonly identified strain among NTM-PD patients, followed by M. intracellulare (32.0%) and M. abscessus subspecies massiliense (12.7%). There were no differences in housing type or frequency of soil- or pet-related exposure between the case and the control groups. However, in subgroup analysis excluding patients with M. intracellulare infection, more case patients frequently visited public baths ≥1 time/week (35.3% vs. 19.4%, p=0.003); this remained significant after multivariate analysis (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.58–5.17). @*Conclusion@#Frequent exposure to water at public baths might affect the odds of contracting NTM-PD, excluding individuals infected with M. intracellulare strains.

The Association between Behavioral Risk Factors and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease

Purpose@#We aimed to determine the relationship between environmental exposure and nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#A group of 150 patients with NTM-PD and a control group of 217 patients with other respiratory diseases were prospectively enrolled between June 2018 and December 2020 in Seoul, Korea. They were surveyed with a standardized questionnaire, and their medical records were reviewed. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with multivariate logistic regression analysis. @*Results@#The mean ages of the NTM-PD and control groups were similar (63.8±9.2 years vs. 63.5±10.0 years; p=0.737), and most patients were female (76.0% vs. 68.7%; p=0.157) and nonsmokers (82.0% vs. 72.8%; p=0.021). Mycobacterium avium (49.3%) was the most commonly identified strain among NTM-PD patients, followed by M. intracellulare (32.0%) and M. abscessus subspecies massiliense (12.7%). There were no differences in housing type or frequency of soil- or pet-related exposure between the case and the control groups. However, in subgroup analysis excluding patients with M. intracellulare infection, more case patients frequently visited public baths ≥1 time/week (35.3% vs. 19.4%, p=0.003); this remained significant after multivariate analysis (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.58–5.17). @*Conclusion@#Frequent exposure to water at public baths might affect the odds of contracting NTM-PD, excluding individuals infected with M. intracellulare strains.

Head and neck reconstruction using free flaps: a 30-year medical record review

Background@#The free flap surgical method is useful for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. This study retrospectively analyzed the results of head and neck reconstructions using various types of free flaps over the past 30 years. @*Methods@#Between 1989 and 2018, a total of 866 free flap procedures were performed on 859 patients with head and neck defects, including 7 double free flaps. The causes of vascular crisis and salvage rate were analyzed, and the total flap survival rate calculated among these patients. Additionally, the survival and complication rates for each flap type were compared. @*Results@#The 866 cases included 557 radial forearm flaps, 200 anterolateral thigh flaps, 39 fibular osteocutaneous flaps, and 70 of various other flaps. The incidence of the vascular crisis was 5.1%; its most common cause was venous thrombosis (52.3%). Salvage surgery was successful in 52.3% of patients, and the total flap survival rate was 97.6%. The success rate of the radial forearm flap was higher than of the anterolateral flap (p< 0.01), and the primary sites of malignancy were the tongue, tonsils, and hypopharynx, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The free flap technique is the most reliable method for head and neck reconstruction; however, the radial forearm free flap showed the highest success rate (98.9%). In patients with malignancy, flap failure was more common in the anterolateral thigh (5.5%) and fibular (5.1%) flaps.

Characteristics and risk factors associated with missed diagnosis in patients with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis

Background/Aims@#Delayed diagnosis and treatment of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are major concerns for TB control. We evaluated characteristics of patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB who received a delayed diagnosis and identified risk factors that may have contributed to this delay. @*Methods@#We reviewed medical records of patients with smear-negative culture-positive pulmonary TB treated at a tertiary care hospital in South Korea between January 2017 and December 2018. Patients who initiated anti-TB treatment after positive cultures were included in the missed TB group, and those who initiated empirical treatment before positive cultures were included in the control group. @*Results@#Of 220 patients included, 117 (53.2%) and 103 (46.8%) were in the missed TB and control groups, respectively. Patients in the missed TB group were older (p = 0.001) and had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.019). Comorbidities (66.9% vs. 46.6%, p = 0.003) and immunocompromised patients (33.1% vs. 20.4%, p = 0.035) were more common in the missed TB group than in the control group. Old age (odds ratio [OR], 1.030; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.012 to 1.048; p = 0.001), high BMI (OR, 1.114; 95% CI, 1.004 to 1.237; p = 0.042), and negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results (OR, 9.551; 95% CI, 4.925 to 18.521; p < 0.001) were associated with delayed diagnosis. @*Conclusions@#In more than half of patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB, the diagnosis was delayed. Patients with delayed TB diagnosis were older, had higher BMI, and negative PCR results.

Age- and sex-related characteristics of the increasing trend of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease in a tertiary hospital in South Korea from 2006 to 2016

Background/Aims@#The incidence rate of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing worldwide. However, data regarding the age- and sex-specific epidemiology of NTM-PD are limited. This study aimed to investigate the long-term epidemiologic trends of NTM-PD within the recent 11- year period in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients diagnosed with NTM-PD between January 2006 and December 2016 at Severance Hospital, South Korea. @*Results@#There were 1,017 incident cases with NTM-PD during the study period. The mean age was 62.7 years, and 41.2% were men. Women were younger than men (59.9 years vs. 66.7 years, p < 0.001) and a higher proportion of women had bronchiectasis (88.6% vs. 77.1%, p < 0.001). The incidence rates of NTM-PD annually increased by 14% (95% confidence interval, 10% to 19%) from 1.2 in 2006 to 4.8 in 2016 (per 100,000 patients-year). The peak incidence rate was in the 50s for women and in the 70s for men, except for those aged ≥ 80 years. Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common causative species of NTM-PD (63.6%). @*Conclusions@#The incidence rate of NTM-PD in a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea continued to increase from 2006 to 2016. Furthermore, there were age- and sex-related differences in the clinical characteristics, which might contribute to understanding the nature of the disease and inherited and acquired host factors.

Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Isoniazid Mono-Resistant Tuberculosis:A Retrospective Study

Purpose@#Isoniazid (INH) mono-resistant tuberculosis (Hr-TB) is a highly prevalent type of drug-resistant TB, possibly associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes. However, definitive guidelines on an optimal treatment regimen and duration for Hr-TB are currently under discussion. We evaluated the characteristics and treatment outcomes of Hr-TB patients. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of Hr-TB patients treated at a South Korean tertiary referral hospital from January 2005 to December 2018. @*Results@#We included 195 Hr-TB patients. 113 (57.9%) were male, and the median age was 56.6 [interquartile range, 40.2–68.6] years. Mutations in katG were the most frequent [54 (56.3%)], followed by those in the inhA [34 (35.4%)]. Favorable and unfavorable outcomes were noted in 164 (84.1%) and 31 (15.9%) patients, respectively. Smoking history [odds ratio (OR)=5.606, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.695–18.543, p=0.005], low albumin level (OR=0.246, 95% CI: 0.104–0.578, p=0.001), and positive acid-fast bacilli culture at 2 months (OR=7.853, 95% CI: 1.246–49.506, p=0.028) were associated with unfavorable outcomes. @*Conclusion@#A tailored strategy targeting high-risk patients is imperative for improved treatment outcomes. Further research on the rapid and accurate detection of resistance to INH and other companion drugs is warranted.

Risk Factors for Predicting Hypoxia in Adult Patients Undergoing Bronchoscopy under Sedation / 결핵및호흡기질환

Background@#Flexible bronchoscopy is one of the essential procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of hypoxia in adults undergoing flexible bronchoscopy under sedation. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed 2,520 patients who underwent flexible bronchoscopy under sedation at our tertiary care university hospital in South Korea January 1, 2013–December 31, 2014. Hypoxia was defined as more than 5%-point reduction in the baseline percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) or SpO2 1 minute during the procedure. @*Results@#The mean age was 64.7±13.5, and 565 patients developed hypoxia during the procedure. The mean sedation duration and midazolam dose for sedation were 31.1 minutes and 3.9 mg, respectively. The bivariate analysis showed that older age, a low forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), use of endobronchial ultrasound, the duration of sedation, and the midazolam dose were associated with the occurrence of hypoxia during the procedure, while the multivariate analysis found that age >60 (odds ratio [OR], 1.32), a low FEV1 (OR, 0.99), and a longer duration of sedation (>40 minutes; OR, 1.33) were significant risk factors. @*Conclusion@#The findings suggest that patients older than age 60 and those with a low FEV1 tend to develop hypoxia during the bronchoscopy under sedation. Also, longer duration of sedation (>40 minutes) was a significant risk factor for hypoxia.

Real world effectiveness and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer: a Korean multicenter retrospective cohort study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin with carboplatin (CD) compared with those of carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) for platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer in a real-world setting in Korea.METHODS: We enrolled relevant patients from 9 institutions. All patients received CD or CP as the second- or third-line chemotherapy in routine clinical practice during 2013–2018. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity. The secondary endpoint included the objective response rate (ORR).RESULTS: Overall, 432 patients (224 and 208 in the CD and CP groups, respectively) were included. With a median follow-up of 18.9 months, the median PFS was not different between the groups (12.7 vs. 13.6 months; hazard ratio, 1.161; 95% confidence interval, 0.923–1.460; p=0.202). The ORR was 74.6% and 80.1% in the CD and CP group, respectively (p=0.556). Age and surgery at relapse were independent prognostic factors. More patients in the CD group significantly experienced a grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity and hand-foot syndrome (13.8% vs. 6.3%), whereas grade 2 or more alopecia (6.2% vs. 36.1%), peripheral neuropathy (4.4% vs. 11.4%), and allergic/hypersensitivity reaction (0.4% vs. 8.5%) developed more often in the CP group.CONCLUSIONS: The safety and effectiveness of chemotherapy with CD in a real-world setting were consistent with the results from a randomized controlled study. The different toxicity profiles between the 2 chemotherapy (CD and CP) regimens should be considered in the clinical practice.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03562533

Selection criteria and colpotomic approach for safe minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer / 부인종양

Objective@#To evaluate oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (RH) in early cervical cancer before and after the application of parametrial invasion (PMI) criterion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and vaginal colpotomy (VC). @*Methods@#A total of 216 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB–IIA cervical cancer patients who underwent minimally invasive RH was identified between April 2006 and October 2018. Patients were classified into the pre-PMI intracorporeal or VC (IVC) (n=117) and post-PMI VC groups (n=99). In the pre-PMI IVC group, PMI criterion (intact stromal ring) on MRI was not applied and the patients received IVC. In the post-PMI VC group, surgical candidates were selected using the PMI criterion on MRI and all patients received VC only. Oncologic outcomes and prognostic factors associated with disease recurrence were analyzed. @*Results@#The rate of positive vaginal cuff margins in the pre-PMI IVC group was higher than that in the post-PMI VC group (11.1% vs. 1.0%, p=0.003). Two-year disease-free survival was different between the 2 groups (84.5% in pre-PMI IVC vs. 98.0% in post-PMI VC groups, p=0.005). Disrupted stromal ring on MRI (hazard ratio [HR]=20.321; 95% confidence interval [CI]=4.903–84.218; p<0.001) and intracorporeal colpotomy (HR=3.059; 95% CI=1.176–7.958; p=0.022) were associated with recurrence. @*Conclusion@#The intact cervical stromal ring on MRI might identify the low-risk group of patients in terms of PMI and lymphovascular/stromal invasion in early cervical cancer. Minimally invasive RH should be performed in optimal candidates with an intact stromal ring on MRI, using VC.

Real world effectiveness and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer: a Korean multicenter retrospective cohort study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin with carboplatin (CD) compared with those of carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) for platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer in a real-world setting in Korea.@*METHODS@#We enrolled relevant patients from 9 institutions. All patients received CD or CP as the second- or third-line chemotherapy in routine clinical practice during 2013–2018. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity. The secondary endpoint included the objective response rate (ORR).@*RESULTS@#Overall, 432 patients (224 and 208 in the CD and CP groups, respectively) were included. With a median follow-up of 18.9 months, the median PFS was not different between the groups (12.7 vs. 13.6 months; hazard ratio, 1.161; 95% confidence interval, 0.923–1.460; p=0.202). The ORR was 74.6% and 80.1% in the CD and CP group, respectively (p=0.556). Age and surgery at relapse were independent prognostic factors. More patients in the CD group significantly experienced a grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity and hand-foot syndrome (13.8% vs. 6.3%), whereas grade 2 or more alopecia (6.2% vs. 36.1%), peripheral neuropathy (4.4% vs. 11.4%), and allergic/hypersensitivity reaction (0.4% vs. 8.5%) developed more often in the CP group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The safety and effectiveness of chemotherapy with CD in a real-world setting were consistent with the results from a randomized controlled study. The different toxicity profiles between the 2 chemotherapy (CD and CP) regimens should be considered in the clinical practice.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03562533

Primary amelanotic melanoma of the mandibulargingiva

Oral mucosal melanoma is a very rare type of malignant melanoma, the characteristics of whichdiffer from those of cutaneous melanoma. Primary amelanotic melanoma of the mandibular gingiva,which can invade the mandibular bone, is very rare worldwide. Here, we report a case in whichwe performed a reconstruction of the mandible and gingiva using the fibula osteocutaneous freeflap procedure to treat a patient diagnosed with a primary amelanotic melanoma of the mandibulargingiva. The procedure was successful, and no recurrence was observed 10 months after surgery.Oral mucosal melanoma has a much poorer prognosis and a lower 5-year survival rate thancutaneous melanoma. However, recently, immunomodulatory therapies for mutations in melanocyticlesions have been used effectively to treat the increasing number of patients developing thistype of melanoma, thus improving the prognosis of patients with oral mucosal melanoma.

Klebsiella pneumoniae necrotizing fasciitis on theupper lip in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes

A 60-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure was admitted tothe hospital with severe pain in the upper lip, which began 4 days prior to admission, accompaniedby a bullous lesion and suspected cellulitis in the upper lip. Immediately after admission, asthe patient´s general condition worsened, tests revealed a non-ST elevated myocardial infarction,septic embolism of the lung, as well as septic shock. Her upper lip suddenly presented a gangrenousand necrotic change, which the tissue and blood culture confirmed to be a Klebsiella pneumoniaeinfection. After a quick response, the patient’s general condition improved. Subsequently,serial debridement was performed to effectively clear away the purulent discharge. While undergeneral anesthesia, the process confirmed full-layer necrosis of the upper lip including the orbicularisoris muscle. Almost half of the entire upper lip sustained a full-layer skin and soft tissue defect,with scar contracture. Six months later, to correct the drooling and lip sealing following thedefects, a scar release and an Abbe flap coverage were performed considering both functionaland aesthetic aspects. The follow-up revealed a favorable corrective result of the upper lip drooling,and the patient was satisfied from a functional perspective.

Free-flap reconstruction in recurrent head and neck cancer: A retrospective review of 124 cases

Background@#Free-flap reconstruction for recurrent head and neck cancer may be challenging depending on the previous treatments, those are, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, including neck dissection or free tissue transfer. Specifically, the previous treatment could compromise the neck vessels, thereby making free-flap reconstruction more difficult. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between previous treatments and vascular compromise of the free flap. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, 124 free-flap reconstructions in 116 patients for recurrent head and neck cancer between 1993 and 2017 were investigated. The demographic characteristics, previous treatments, flap choices, infections, recipient vessels, and vascular crises were evaluated. @*Results@#Of the 124 reconstruction cases, 10 had vascular crises. There were six revisions, totaling six flap failures. The success rate of free-flap reconstruction for recurrent cancer was 95.2%, which significantly differed from that for primary cancer (98.8%, p= 0.006). Moreover, in the recurrent cancer group, no correlation was found between previous treatments and vascular crises (p> 0.05). Increased rates of contralateral or uncommon anastomoses were found following neck dissection (p< 0.05). @*Conclusion@#Previous neck dissection or radiotherapy could lead to scarring and tissue damage, which could in turn make microvascular reconstruction more challenging; however, the effect was not definite in this study. Approximately 60% of patients with previous neck dissection had compromised ipsilateral recipient vessels, which resulted in contralateral or uncommon anastomoses. In this study, free-flap reconstruction seems to be quite safe and preferable in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer based on the overall survival rate.

Selection criteria and colpotomic approach for safe minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer / 부인종양

The Effects of Retinoic Acid and MAPK Inhibitors on Phosphorylation of Smad2/3 Induced by Transforming Growth Factor β1 / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), retinoic acid (RA), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and MEK signaling play critical roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. We investigated the effect of RA and the role of these signaling molecules on the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) induced by TGF-β1. METHODS: A549 epithelial cells and CCD-11Lu fibroblasts were incubated and stimulated with or without all-trans RA (ATRA) and TGF-β1 and with MAPK or MEK inhibitors. The levels of p-Smad2/3 were analyzed by western blotting. For animal models, we studied three experimental mouse groups: control, bleomycin, and bleomycin+ATRA group. Changes in histopathology, lung injury score, and levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3 were evaluated at 1 and 3 weeks. RESULTS: When A549 cells were pre-stimulated with TGF-β1 prior to RA treatment, RA completely inhibited the p-Smad2/3. However, when A549 cells were pre-treated with RA prior to TGF-β1 stimulation, RA did not completely suppress the p-Smad2/3. When A549 cells were pre-treated with MAPK inhibitor, TGF-β1 failed to phosphorylate Smad2/3. In fibroblasts, p38 MAPK inhibitor suppressed TGF-β1-induced p-Smad2. In a bleomycin-induced lung injury mouse model, RA decreased the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 at 1 and 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: RA had inhibitory effects on the phosphorylation of Smad induced by TGF-β1 in vitro, and RA also decreased the expression of TGF-β1 at 1 and 3 weeks in vivo. Furthermore, pre-treatment with a MAPK inhibitor showed a preventative effect on TGF-β1/Smad phosphorylation in epithelial cells. As a result, a combination of RA and MAPK inhibitors may suppress the TGF-β1-induced lung injury and fibrosis.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of ovarian clear cell carcinoma in the background of endometrioma: a surveillance strategy for an early detection of malignant transformation in patients with asymptomatic endometrioma

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of clear cell carcinoma in relation to endometriosis and to determine an appropriate surveillance strategy for the early detection of malignant transformation of endometrioma in asymptomatic patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data of 50 patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and the association between endometriosis and the risk of malignant transformation were analyzed. RESULTS: Ten (20%) patients had been diagnosed with endometrioma before the diagnosis of clear cell carcinoma. The median period from the diagnosis of endometrioma to clear cell carcinoma diagnosis was 50 months (range, 12–213 months). After complete staging surgery, histological confirmation of endometriosis was possible in 35 (70%) patients. Of the 50 patients, 39 (78%) had not undergone any gynecologic surveillance until the onset of symptoms, at which time many of them presented with a rapidly growing pelvic mass (median 10 cm, range 4.6–25 cm). With the exception of 2 patients, all cancer diagnoses were made when the patients were in their late thirties, and median tumor size was found to increase along with age. Asymptomatic patients (n=11) who had regular gynecologic examinations were found to have a relatively smaller tumor size, lesser extent of tumor spread, and lower recurrence rate (P=0.011, 0.283, and 0.064, respectively). The presence of endometriosis was not related to the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Considering the duration of malignant transformation and the timing of cancer diagnosis, active surveillance might be considered from the age of the mid-thirties, with at least a 1-year interval, in patients with asymptomatic endometrioma.

Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology International Workshop 2018 / 부인종양

The Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology International Workshop 2018 on gynecologic oncology was held in the Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea on the 24th to 25th August 2018. The workshop was an opportunity for Asian doctors to discuss the latest findings of gynecologic cancer, including cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, as well as the future of fertility-sparing treatments, minimally invasive/radical/debulking surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Clinical guidelines and position statement of Asian countries were presented by experts. Asian clinical trials for gynecologic cancers were reviewed and experts emphasized the point that original Asian study is beneficial for Asian patients. In Junior session, young gynecologic oncologists presented their latest research on gynecologic cancers.