Serum Testosterone Level Can Be Predictive Factor for Upstaging in Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

Purpose@#To determine an appropriate surgical technique, it is important to predict pathological results for patientswith clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) eligible for nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP). Severalstudies have highlighted that serum testosterone level was associated with aggressive features of PCa. Therefore,we analyzed factors, including serum testosterone, to predict upstaging and upgrading after surgery for patientswith clinically localized PCa eligible for NSRP. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) betweenJanuary 2015 and May 2018 at our institution. Patients with Gleason grade group 1 or 2 on biopsy,prostate-specific antigen<10, and ≤clinical/radiologic stage T2 were included in this study. Upstaging andupgrading were defined as pathological stage≥T3a and Gleason grade group≥3, respectively. We evaluatedthe patients’ demographics and outcomes according to upstaging and upgrading after surgery. Predictive factorsfor upstaging and upgrading were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. @*Results@#Of 108 patients included in the study, upstaging and upgrading after surgery were observed in 24 (22.2%)and 36 (33.3%), respectively. Low serum testosterone level, small prostate size, and positive core number≥3on biopsy were identified as predictive factors for upstaging in multivariate analysis. Although serum testosteronewas associated with upgrading in univariate analysis, only clinical/radiologic stage and biopsy Gleason grade groupwere observed as predictive factors for upgrading in multivariate analysis. @*Conclusions@#Serum testosterone level was identified as a predictive factor for upstaging after RP for clinicallylocalized PCa eligible for NSRP.

Oncological and functional outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at a single institution: a minimum 5-year follow-up / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND@#To evaluate mid-term oncological and functional outcomes in patients with prostate cancer treated by robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) at our institution.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 128 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RALP at our institution between February 2008 and April 2010. All patients enrolled in this study were followed up for at least 5 years. We analyzed biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and predictive factors for BCR using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Continence recovery rate, defined as no use of urinary pads, was also evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Based on the D'Amico risk classification, there were 30 low-risk patients (23.4%), 47 intermediate-risk patients (38.8%), and 51 high-risk patients (39.8%), preoperatively. Based on pathological findings, 50.0% of patients (64/128) showed non-organ confined disease (≥T3a) and 26.6% (34/128) had high grade disease (Gleason score ≥8). During a median follow-up period of 71 months (range, 66–78 months), the frequency of BCR was 33.6% (43/128) and the median BCR-free survival was 65.9 (0.4–88.0) months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high grade disease (Gleason score ≥8) was an independent predictor for BCR (hazard ratio=4.180, 95% confidence interval=1.02–17.12, p=0.047). In addition, a majority of patients remained continent following the RALP procedure, without the need for additional intervention for post-prostatectomy incontinence.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study demonstrated acceptable outcomes following an initial RALP procedure, despite 50% of the patients investigated demonstrating high-risk features associated with non-organ confined disease.

Oncological and functional outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at a single institution: a minimum 5-year follow-up / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate mid-term oncological and functional outcomes in patients with prostate cancer treated by robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) at our institution.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 128 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RALP at our institution between February 2008 and April 2010. All patients enrolled in this study were followed up for at least 5 years. We analyzed biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and predictive factors for BCR using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Continence recovery rate, defined as no use of urinary pads, was also evaluated.RESULTS: Based on the D'Amico risk classification, there were 30 low-risk patients (23.4%), 47 intermediate-risk patients (38.8%), and 51 high-risk patients (39.8%), preoperatively. Based on pathological findings, 50.0% of patients (64/128) showed non-organ confined disease (≥T3a) and 26.6% (34/128) had high grade disease (Gleason score ≥8). During a median follow-up period of 71 months (range, 66–78 months), the frequency of BCR was 33.6% (43/128) and the median BCR-free survival was 65.9 (0.4–88.0) months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high grade disease (Gleason score ≥8) was an independent predictor for BCR (hazard ratio=4.180, 95% confidence interval=1.02–17.12, p=0.047). In addition, a majority of patients remained continent following the RALP procedure, without the need for additional intervention for post-prostatectomy incontinence.CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated acceptable outcomes following an initial RALP procedure, despite 50% of the patients investigated demonstrating high-risk features associated with non-organ confined disease.

The Combination of Periostin Overexpression and Microvascular Invasion Is Related to a Poor Prognosis for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein and is known to be related to the metastatic potential and prognosis of cancer. However, few studies have investigated the expression level of periostin and its association with prognoses in hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we analyzed periostin overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma and its implication for prognoses. METHODS: We evaluated 149 patients who underwent surgical resection between 2006 and 2010. Tissue microarrays were constructed from hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and adjacent nontumor tissue, and immunohistochemistry was performed. RESULTS: A high periostin level was observed more frequently in cases of multiple tumors (odds ratio [OR], 2.826; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.224 to 6.527; p=0.013), positive microvascular invasion (OR, 2.974; 95% CI, 1.431 to 6.181; p=0.003), and advanced stage disease (OR, 3.032; 95% CI, 1.424 to 6.452; p=0.003). Patients with high periostin expression had significantly (p=0.002) lower overall survival rates than those with low periostin expression (90.3%, 66.1%, and 56.2% vs 97.7%, 85.1%, and 77.5% at 1, 3, and 5 years). CONCLUSIONS: We found that a combination of periostin overexpression and microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma was correlated with a poor prognosis and can be a good prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Combination of Periostin Overexpression and Microvascular Invasion Is Related to a Poor Prognosis for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein and is known to be related to the metastatic potential and prognosis of cancer. However, few studies have investigated the expression level of periostin and its association with prognoses in hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we analyzed periostin overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma and its implication for prognoses. METHODS: We evaluated 149 patients who underwent surgical resection between 2006 and 2010. Tissue microarrays were constructed from hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and adjacent nontumor tissue, and immunohistochemistry was performed. RESULTS: A high periostin level was observed more frequently in cases of multiple tumors (odds ratio [OR], 2.826; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.224 to 6.527; p=0.013), positive microvascular invasion (OR, 2.974; 95% CI, 1.431 to 6.181; p=0.003), and advanced stage disease (OR, 3.032; 95% CI, 1.424 to 6.452; p=0.003). Patients with high periostin expression had significantly (p=0.002) lower overall survival rates than those with low periostin expression (90.3%, 66.1%, and 56.2% vs 97.7%, 85.1%, and 77.5% at 1, 3, and 5 years). CONCLUSIONS: We found that a combination of periostin overexpression and microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma was correlated with a poor prognosis and can be a good prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Extra-gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor on the Inner Urinary Bladder Wall

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, and is diagnosed on the basis of the combined expression of CD34 and CD117 (C-kit protein). An extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of the urinary bladder is a very rare neoplasm. In this report, we describe a case of an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor originating from the inner surface of the urinary bladder. A 46-year-old man presented with an incident bladder mass, and he was diagnosed with an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. A tumor on the inner urinary bladder wall is an unusual presentation of an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient is doing well with no recurrence at 18 months after surgery.

Target Molecule Expression Profiles in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Development of Individual Targeted Therapy

The aim of this study is to analyze the level of target molecule expression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to determine whether there is a correlation between molecular marker expression and clinical response. Ten patients with metastatic RCC, who received receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) targeted therapy after cytoreductive or radical nephrectomy, were included. The expression of target molecules relating to the RTK, mammalian target of rapamycin, hypoxia inducible factor, mitogen activated protein kinase, and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathways were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. We correlated the level of target molecule expression with clinical response, including efficacy and adverse events experience during RTK targeted therapy. All patients showed similar histological subtype and grade on pathological examination; however, the expression of RCC target molecules was very different among the patients. The expression of molecules related to the RTK pathway in RCC tissue as well as relative expression of molecules in RCC tissue compared to normal kidney tissue, were higher in patients who showed a good response to RTK targeted therapy compared to those that showed a poor response. Target molecule expression in normal kidney tissue was higher in patients who experienced high-grade adverse events than in patients who experienced low-grade events. Target molecule expression in metastatic RCC correlates with targeted therapy clinical response including efficacy and adverse events. Personalized target molecule expression profiles could be used to predict clinical response to different targeted therapies, thus helping optimization of targeted therapies for patients with metastatic RCC.

Predictive factors and the prognosis of recurrence of colorectal cancer within 2 years after curative resection

PURPOSE: Because predicting recurrence intervals and patterns would allow for appropriate therapeutic strategies, we evaluated the clinical and pathological characteristics of early and late recurrences of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Patients who developed recurrence after undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer stage I-III between January 2000 and May 2006 were identified. Early recurrence was defined as recurrence within 2 years after primary surgery of colorectal cancer. Analyses were performed to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival rate between the early and late recurrence groups. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight patients experienced early recurrence and 64 had late recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that the postoperative elevation of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), venous invasion, and N stage correlated with the recurrence interval. The liver was the most common site of early recurrence (40.5%), whereas late recurrence was more common locally (28.1%), or in the lung (32.8%). The 5-year overall survival rates for early and late recurrence were significantly different (34.7% vs. 78.8%; P < 0.001). Survival rates after the surgical resection of recurrent lesions were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Early recurrence within 2 years after surgery was associated with poor survival outcomes after colorectal cancer recurrence. An elevated postoperative CA 19-9 level, venous invasion, and advanced N stage were found to be significant risk factors for early recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Distal Common Bile Duct: Report of a Case

No abstract available.

Two Different Surgical Approaches for Prostatic Stromal Sarcoma: Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy and Open Radical Cysto-Prostatectomy With Ileal Conduit

Stromal sarcoma of the prostate is very rare and shows rapid growth, which consequently is related to poor prognosis. Recently, we treated two cases of prostatic stromal sarcoma: one with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and the other with open radical cysto-prostatectomy with an ileal conduit. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a prostatic stromal sarcoma managed by use of a robotic procedure. Here, we report of our experiences in the treatment of prostatic stromal sarcoma by use of two different methods.

Two Different Surgical Approaches for Prostatic Stromal Sarcoma: Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy and Open Radical Cysto-Prostatectomy With Ileal Conduit

Stromal sarcoma of the prostate is very rare and shows rapid growth, which consequently is related to poor prognosis. Recently, we treated two cases of prostatic stromal sarcoma: one with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and the other with open radical cysto-prostatectomy with an ileal conduit. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a prostatic stromal sarcoma managed by use of a robotic procedure. Here, we report of our experiences in the treatment of prostatic stromal sarcoma by use of two different methods.

The Clinical Significance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Microscopic Satellites in Acral Melanoma in a Korean Population

BACKGROUND: There are various histological prognostic parameters of cutaneous malignant melanoma, including tumor thickness and ulceration. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are among these parameters and can be further classified into three categories: 'absent', 'non-brisk' and 'brisk'. Brisk TIL usually indicates better clinical prognosis. Microscopic satellite (Ms) is defined as a nest of tumor cells that is greater than 0.05 mm in diameter and definitely separated from the main tumor. Even though the incidence of Ms varies according to Breslow thickness, the presence of Ms generally indicates poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE: Clinical significance of both TIL and Ms has been extensively studied in western populations but much less so in Asian countries, including Korea, where acral melanoma is the most common subtype. METHODS: We reviewed 90 patients with acral melanoma diagnosed at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea. Tissue specimens were examined using hematoxylin-eosin and HMB45 immunohistochemical staining. They were also evaluated by the presence and categorization of TIL (absent, non-brisk and brisk) and the presence of Ms. We further evaluated their impact on survival events (recurrence, distant metastasis and death). RESULTS: The number of survival events by TIL type was 22 in the absent category (22/64, 34.4%), 3 in the non-brisk category (3/25, 12.0%) and 0 in the brisk category. For Ms, survival events were present in 7 patients in Ms-present group (7/11, 63.6%) and 21 patients in Ms-absent group (21/79, 26.6%). CONCLUSION: We suggest the possibility of TIL and Ms as prognostic indicators for acral melanoma in Korean population.

Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell-derived Muscle Progenitor Cell Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence

The most promising treatment for stress urinary incontinence can be a cell therapy. We suggest human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) as an alternative cell source. We established the optimum in vitro protocol for the differentiation from hAFSCs into muscle progenitors. These progenitors were transplanted into the injured urethral sphincter and their therapeutic effect was analyzed. For the development of an efficient differentiation system in vitro, we examined a commercial medium, co-culture and conditioned medium (CM) systems. After being treated with CM, hAFSCs were effectively developed into a muscle lineage. The progenitors were integrated into the host urethral sphincter and the host cell differentiation was stimulated in vivo. Urodynamic analysis showed significant increase of leak point pressure and closing pressure. Immunohistochemistry revealed the regeneration of circular muscle mass with normal appearance. Molecular analysis observed the expression of a larger number of target markers. In the immunogenicity analysis, the progenitor group had a scant CD8 lymphocyte. In tumorigenicity, the progenitors showed no teratoma formation. These results suggest that hAFSCs can effectively be differentiated into muscle progenitors in CM and that the hAFSC-derived muscle progenitors are an accessible cell source for the regeneration of injured urethral sphincter.

DPC4 Expression in the Small Intestinal Adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND: Small intestinal adenocarcinomas (SACs) are rare malignancies of the alimentary tract with uncertain carcinogenesis. METHODS: We investigated the expression of deleted in pancreatic cancer 4 (DPC4) in 188 cases of surgically resected SACs, using tissue microarray technology. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 188 tumors showed complete loss of Smad4/DPC4 expression in cytoplasm (score, 0; 12.8%). Eighty-four and 31 cases were moderately and strongly positive, respectively (score, 2 and 3; 44.7% and 16.5%, respectively) and 49 cases were focally or weakly stained (score, 1; 29.1%). Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the expression of Smad4/DPC4 was related to an increased risk of lymphatic invasion but not to other clinicopathological features of the tumors (tumor location, differentiation, growth pattern, T stage, direct invasion, vascular invasion, and nodal metastasis). There was no significant association between Smad4/DPC4 expression and patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: The present research is the first study to evaluate Smad4/DPC4 expression in a large sample of SACs with clinicopathologic correlation. Future studies should focus on the immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics of SACs to clarify their tumorigenesis.

Podocyte Expression of Osteopontin and FSP-1/S100A4 in Human Crescentic Glomerulonephritis

BACKGROUND: Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine associated with a cell-matrix via integrins. Fibroblast specific protein-1 (FSP-1), known as S100A4, has been implicated in cell migration by non-muscle myosin. We investigated whether the role of OPN and FSP-1/S100A4 expression in their contribution to the podocyte phenotype change to form podocyte bridge and cellular crescent. METHODS: Glomerular expression of OPN and FSP-1/S100A4 in renal biopsies of 16 patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) and 13 normal renal biopsies were studied by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of OPN and FSP-1/S100A4 was increased in the podocytes of glomeruli, with and without crescents, in patients with CrGN. Neither OPN nor FSP-1/S100A4 was expressed in glomeruli from the normal controls (p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between the expression of OPN in glomerular tufts and cellular crescents, and the expression of OPN and FSP-1/S100A4 in glomerular tufts (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that OPN plays a role in early podocyte attachment to Bowman's capsule, and FSP-1/S100A4 potentiate podocyte contribution to cellular crescent formation by inducing cellular migration and growth.

Three Cases of Noninvoluting Congenital Hemangioma / 대한피부과학회지

Congenital hemangioma (CH), which is already fully formed at birth, is a rare clinical entity that is distinctly different from the common postnatally-occurring hemangioma of infancy (HOI). These two forms of CH have been described according to their clinical courses: apart from the clinical features of presentation at birth, there is the rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (RICH) with rapid involution shortly after birth and the noninvoluting congenital hemangioma (NICH) with neither postnatal enlargement nor spontaneous involution. It is important to recognize this uncommon disease entity NICH in the early period because it has no tendency for spontaneous regression, so timely therapeutic intervention is needed, which is in contrast to that of HOI. We present 3 patients who were 1-, 3- and 13-year-old girls with red-stippled blue to blue gray vascular lesion. They all showed their lesions since birth and the lesions remained unchanged with no subjective symptoms. Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated a well-defined fast-flowed vascular lesion confined to the dermis and subcutis. The histology commonly showed lobular growth of capillaries, centrilobular irregular and often stellate vessels, extralobular large vessels and more conclusively, negative staining for GLUT-1, which is unlike HOI.

The Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy with a Multidisciplinary Cooperative Team Approach for the Management of Koreans with Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

BACKGROUND: The regional lymph nodal status is the most powerful independent predictor of survival for patients with clinical N0 primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the feasibility and morbidity of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) staging using a multidisciplinary team approach, in cooperation with other surgical departments, at a university hospital setting. METHODS: Twenty two patients with cutaneous melanoma and who were treated at Kyungpook National University Hospital were included in this study. They all received SLNB, which was done by the Departments of Dermatology and General Surgery. We evaluated the feasibility and side effects of SLNB. RESULTS: Pathologically-positive sentinel nodes were found in 7 of the 22 cases (31.8%) and all 7 patients were consequently upstaged. The whole process involved in SLNB was well tolerated by nearly all the patients, with only mild and transient complications being observed. CONCLUSION: We suggest that in a Korean setting, utilizing SLNB with a multi-disciplinary team approach is a technically feasible procedure that is able to detect occult nodal metastasis with low morbidity rates in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Role of CD4(+)CD25(high+)FOXP3(+) Regulatory T Cells in Psoriasis

BACKGROUND: CD4(+)CD25(high+)regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered to be of vital importance for maintaining immunologic self-tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases. These cells have been found to be deficient in skin lesions and in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and to evaluate the changes in Tregs in relation to the severity and the clinical course of psoriasis. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (CD3, 4, 8, 79 and FOXP3) was performed in 22 psoriatic patients compared to 5 normal controls. Flow cytometry (CD3, 4, 8, 25 and FOXP3) was performed in 18 psoriatic patients and 8 normal volunteers and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (foxp3 mRNA) was performed in 8 psoriasis patients. RESULTS: An increase in the FOXP3(+) cell fraction was detected in the lesional psoriatic skin irrespective of the severity of psoriasis as compared with the normal skin. However, a decrease in FOXP3(+) cells was observed in the samples obtained from psoriasis of 'acute course'. FOXP3(+) Treg populations in the blood of the 'acute course' psoriasis was not different compared to that of 'chronic course' psoriasis and normal controls. CONCLUSION: The deficiency of FOXP3(+) Tregs in the lesional psoriatic skin might be responsible for the exacerbation of psoriasis.

A Case of Hot Tub Lung / 결핵및호흡기질환

Hot tub lung is a lung disorder associated with exposure to hot tub water contaminated with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Although its pathogenesis remains unclear, it may be considered hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) rather than an infectious disease. We report a case which fulfilled the current diagnostic criteria of hot tub lung. A patient had worked as a cleaner in the public bath for approximately one year and presented with dyspnea for over one month. The computed tomographic finding of bilateral ground glass attenuation and pathologic finding of granulomatous inflammation were consistent with HP. MAC was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and hot tub water. After corticosteroid treatment without antimycobacterial medication, the patient improved and there has been no recurrence. The patient has since discontinued working in the public bath.

Significance of Osteopontin Expression in the Progression of Human Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine related to cell-matrix adhesion and cell survival and is expressed in the distal convoluted tubules in normal adult kidneys. Only one in vitro study has investigated the role of OPN in mechanically stretched podocytes and their actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. METHODS: Glomerular OPN expression was investigated in biopsies from patients with human idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (n = 25) and in normal renal biopsies (n = 16) by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: OPN was expressed in the podocytes from patients with FSGS. OPN expression increased in podocytes from both non-sclerotic hypertrophic and sclerotic glomerular tufts in patients with FSGS compared to the podocytes in normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that OPN plays a role in the early adaptive response of podocytes to the increased mechanical load caused by glomerular hypertrophy preceding FSGS. OPN was involved in cell-matrix adhesion and influenced the detachment delay of podocytes from the glomerular basement membrane and apoptosis.