The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in a General Population in South Korea: Results from a National Survey in 2006

The purpose of this survey was to obtain information on the prevalence, costs, and patterns of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a general population in the Republic of Korea. In 2006, we conducted nationwide and population- weighted personal interviews with 6,021 adults ranging from 30 to 69 yr of age; the final sample consisted of 3,000 people with a 49.8% response rate. In addition to their general socio-demographics, the respondents were asked about their use of CAM during the previous 12-month period, costs, sources of information, and reasons for use. The prevalence of use overall was 74.8%, while biologically based CAM therapies were the most likely type of use (65.4%). The median annual out-of-pocket expenditures for CAM therapies was about US$203. The primary reason for using CAM was for disease prevention and health promotion (78.8%). The main source of advice about CAM therapies use was most likely to be from family and friends (66.9%). Our study suggests that CAM use has been and continues to be very popular in South Korea. Conventional western medical doctors and governments should obtain more evidence and become more interested in CAM therapies.

The Efficacy of UGT1A1 Polymorphism in Chemoradiation Therapy Using Irinotecan in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Irinotecan (CPT-11) is hydrolyzed to an active SN-38, which is further detoxicated to SN-38G through conjugation by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) enzymes. There are many reports that UGT1A1 polymorphisms are associated with irinotecan related dose-limiting toxicity. The aim of the present study is to determine whether UGT1A1 polymorphisms affect individual variations of the toxicity due to and the tumor response to irinotecan via the alteration of bioavailability of SN-38 in Korean patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: Twenty patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, who had received surgery after irinotecan-containing chemoradiation from 2003 to 2006, were enrolled. We analyzed the association of UGT1A1 genotypes with toxicity and tumor response to chemoradiation therapy. A tumor response was assumed when a tumor regression grade I or II was obtained. Toxicity was graded in accordance with the NCI common toxicity criteria. RESULTS: The frequence of square53(TA)6>7 (UGT1A1*28), 211G>A (UGT1A1*6), 686C>A (UGT1A1*27), square3279T>G (UGT1A1*60), and square3156G>A were 25% (5/20), 25% (5/20), 0% (0/20), 55% (11/20), and 20% (4/20), respectively. There were five grade III neutropenia and one severe diarrhea. Patients with UGT1A1*28 and square3156G>A showed higher complete tumor response rates (40% vs. 6.7%, P=0.07; 50% vs. 6.3%, P=0.08), but there was no differences in toxicity and tumor response between responders and non-responders. Patients with square3279T>G (UGT1A1*60) showed a tendency for lower tumor response in tumor responders, but there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that square3279T>G (UGT1A1*60) may be useful in predicting tumor response of irinotecan. In the future, further study is warranted using large numbers of cases to reach statistical significance.

Preliminary Report of the 1998~1999 Patterns of Care Study of Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer in Korea / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: For the first time, a nationwide survey in the Republic of Korea was conducted to determine the basic parameters for the treatment of esophageal cancer and to offer a solid cooperative system for the Korean Pattern of Care Study database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 1998~1999, biopsy-confirmed 246 esophageal cancer patients that received radiotherapy were enrolled from 23 different institutions in South Korea. Random sampling was based on power allocation method. Patient parameters and specific information regarding tumor characteristics and treatment methods were collected and registered through the web based PCS system. The data was analyzed by the use of the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: The median age of the collected patients was 62 years. The male to female ratio was about 91 to 9 with an absolute male predominance. The performance status ranged from ECOG 0 to 1 in 82.5% of the patients. Diagnostic procedures included an esophagogram (228 patients, 92.7%), endoscopy (226 patients, 91.9%), and a chest CT scan (238 patients, 96.7%). Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 96.3% of the patients; mid-thoracic esophageal cancer was most prevalent (110 patients, 44.7%) and 135 patients presented with clinical stage III disease. Fifty seven patients received radiotherapy alone and 37 patients received surgery with adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. Half of the patients (123 patients) received chemotherapy together with RT and 70 patients (56.9%) received it as concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent was a combination of cisplatin and 5-FU. Most patients received radiotherapy either with 6 MV (116 patients, 47.2%) or with 10 MV photons (87 patients, 35.4%). Radiotherapy was delivered through a conventional AP-PA field for 206 patients (83.7%) without using a CT plan and the median delivered dose was 3,600 cGy. The median total dose of postoperative radiotherapy was 5,040 cGy while for the non-operative patients the median total dose was 5,970 cGy. Thirty-four patients received intraluminal brachytherapy with high dose rate Iridium-192. Brachytherapy was delivered with a median dose of 300 cGy in each fraction and was typically delivered 3~4 times. The most frequently encountered complication during the radiotherapy treatment was esophagitis in 155 patients (63.0%). CONCLUSION: For the evaluation and treatment of esophageal cancer patients at radiation facilities in Korea, this study will provide guidelines and benchmark data for the solid cooperative systems of the Korean PCS. Although some differences were noted between institutions, there was no major difference in the treatment modalities and RT techniques.

Medical-and-Psychosocial Factors Influencing on the Quality of Life in Patients with Cervix Cancer / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: Quality of life in patients with cancer may be influenced by various kinds of variables, such as personal, environmental, and medical factors. The purpose of this study was to identity the influencing factors on the quality of life in patients with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty seven patients, who were taking medical therapy or following up after surgery for cervix cancer, participated in the present study. Quality of life, medical variables (cancer stage, types of treatment, follow-up status, and symptom distress), and psychosocial variables (mood disturbance, orientation to life, and social support) were measured. The obtained data were computed using multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The medical-and-psychosocial variables explained 63.3% of the total variance in the quality of life (R2=0.633, F=16.969, p=.000). Cancer stage, symptom distress, mood disturbance, social support (family), and optimistic orientation to life were significant factors influencing on the quality of life in patients with cervix cancer. CONCLUSION: An integrative care program which includes medical - and - psychosocial characteristics of patients is essential to improve quality of life in patients with cervix cancer.

Arm Morbidity after Breast Cancer Treatments and Analysis of Related Factors / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery including axillary dissection and to identify related factors. MATERIASL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty nine patients were studied using a self-report questionnaire and a clinical examination. Lymphedema, reduction of range of motion in shoulder joint and subjective symptoms (pain, impaired arm movement, numbness, stiffness) were evaluated. As related factors, demographic, oncologic characteristics and types of treatment were analysed. RESULTS: The incidence of lymphedema (> or =2 cm difference comparing to unaffected arm) was 6.3%, 10.7%, 22.6% and 23.3% at each 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm from wrist. Reduction of range of motion in shoulder joint (> or =20 degree difference comparing to unaffected arm) was noted in more than 1/3 patients for flexion, abduction and internal rotation. Especially the reduction of range of motion in internal rotation was severe (> 50% reduction) in 1/3 patients. Approximately 50 to 60% of patients complained impaired arm movement, numbness, stiffness and pain. Body mass index (BMI) was the significant risk factor for lymphedema. CONCLUSION: Lymphedema was present in 1/3 of patients and the common sites of edema were 30 cm 40 cm proximal from the wrist. Also most severe reduction of range of motion in shoulder joint was with internal rotation. There needs weight control for lymphedema because BMI was the significant risk factor for lymphedema. Also rehabilitation program for range of motion especially internal rotation in shoulder joint should be developed.

The value of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of loco-regionally advanced cervical cancer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemor- adiotherapy (CCRT) in loco-regionally advanced cervical cancer patients. METHODS: The medical records of 24 patients were retrospectively reviewed who underwent CCRT' and 62 patients who had underwent radiation therapy alone at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University Hospital from September, 1994 to August 2000 for loco-regionally advanced cervical cancer (stage IIb-IVa and Ib-IIa with bulky tumor mass or pelvic lymph node involvement detected by magnetic resonance imaging). Radiotherapy was performed for 7 weeks during which the patients underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy concomitantly. Chemotherapeutic regimen consisted of cisplatin (75 mg/m2 on day 1, 4) and 5-FU (1000 mg/m2 on day 2-5, 30-33). The toxicity was assessed according to the GOG toxicity criteria. RESULTS: In the CCRT group, 2 of 18 patients (11.1%) had recurrent disease. Of the 22 patients who were followed up, the overall survival rate was 83.3%, and the relapse-free survival rate was 89.9%. In the radiotherapy alone group, 19 of 61 patients (32.3%) had recurrent disease. Of the 62 patients who were followed up, the overall survival rate was 75.4% and the relapsed-free survival rate was 67.7%. Relative risk reduction rate of the death rate in the CCRT group was 66% (RR 0.34), and 32% (RR 0.68) in the recurrence rate. Acute toxicities in the CCRT group were enteritis grade 3:3 (12.5%), leukopenia grade 3:2 (8.3%), anemia grade 3:1 (4.1%) and grade 4:2 (8.3%). The acute toxicities in the radiation therapy alone group were enteritis grade 3:7 (11.3%), rectal bleeding grade 3:1 (1%). Increased acute toxicities developed in the CCRT group. CONCLUSION: This study shows improved overall survival rates and relapse-free survival rates but some increase in acute toxicity. It is suggested that CCRT be the standard treatment of loco-regionally advanced cervical cancer. Due to small size sample and short duration of follow up, further study of a large group of patients and the long term survival rate are necessary.

Role of Radiation Therapy in Management of Gastric Cancer

The survival between Western and Eastern studies differs markedly except the early stage. Whereas the 5-year survival rates for patients with stage II and III a gastric carcinoma in the United States are around 30% and 15%, respectively, the rates are 45% and 30% in Germany and 75% and 60% in Japan and Korea. Loco-regional failures are common even after radical resection. Gastric carcinoma is as sensitive as other types of adenocarcinoma to radiation. Preoperative radiation was proven to be effective in reducing the tumor bulk and lymph node metastasis. There are substantial data to show that adequate radiation dose with combined chemotherapy is effective in management of local failure and improvement of survival. But there is no well designed randomized study to evaluate the adjuvant treatment for patients after optimal radical operation. In summary, 1) radical operation has improved the cure rate of stomach cancer, 2) local failure is still one of the common failure patterns, 3) abdominal radiation can be delivered safely in the modern era, and 4) study of pattern of failure on patients after radical surgery is necessary before designing clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant radiation/chemotherapy.

Postoperative adjuvant CCRT concurrentchemoradiotherapy for selected early stage cervical cancer patients following radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.

A Case of Cervical Cancer in Aplastic Anemia Patient / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

It is a rare occurrence that cervical cancer and aplastic anemia are combined, but eight cases were reported since Fujiu's report in 1968. There has been no one who have reported the case of like this in Korea. And so, we report this case for the support of idea of treatment in aplastic anemia patient combined with cervical cancer. The knowledges required are early detection of malignancy and the individualization of the treatment according to the status of the patient, the bone marrow function saving procedure and the prevention of the patient from death involved with bleeding and sepsis induced by infection.

Clinical value of pretreatment serum cyfra 21-1 and SCC Ag levels in cervical cancer patients / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: SCC Ag(Squamous cell carcinoma antigen) is so far the most useful tumor marker in assisting clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer and follow-up after therapy. Elevated levels of cytokeratin 19-fragments(CYFRA 21-1) have recently been detected in large proportion of patients with non small cell cancer of the lung, and in particular those with squamous cell carcinoma. This study is to assess the clinical efficacy of CYFRA 21-1 with SCC Ag as the clinicopathologic parameter in cervical cancer. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of the serum tumor markers CYFRA 21-1 & SCC Ag in eighty cervical cancer patients was performed. RESULTS: Cut off values for SCC Ag & CYFRA 21-1 were 1.94 ng/ml, 3.11 ng/ml respectively. Using the cut-off point, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV), and negative predictive value(NPV) of serum SCC were 55, 95, 97, 46%, respectively. Serum CYFRA 21-1 showed a sensitivity of 45%, specificity of 91%, PPV of 87%, and NPV of 55%. The combination of SCC and CYFRA 21-1 increased the sensitivity to 62%, with a specificity, PPV, and NPV of 72, 75, 58%. Serum levels of both markers were compared with tumor stage, lesion size and were significantly related. In FIGO stage Ib-IIa, the serum levels of SCC Ag & CYFRA were 2.2+/-3.9, 2.5+/-3.6 ng/ml and in FIGO stage IIb-IV, 12.2+/-15.2, 10.8+/-11.2 ng/ml. In 4cm of lesion size, 11.8+/-11.9, 7.7+/-9.3 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: These data seems to show that serum CYFRA 21-1 may be of additional value in assessing the state of disease in some patients with cervical cancer. The prediction of recurrent cervical cancer with SCC Ag were improved by the combination with CYFRA 21-1 but further investigation is needed.

Is Postoperative Radiotherapy Still Useful for the Rectal Cancer Patients in the Era of Total Mesorectal Excision?

PURPOSE: The exact role of postoperative radiotherapy following curative surgery of rectal carcinoma has been debated. In this retrospective study, we examined the effect of radiotherapy on the survival and recurrence rate of rectal cancer patients who underwent total mesorectal excision (TME). METHODS: Since June of 1994, we have recommended postoperative chemoradiation (6 cycles of 5-FU with folinic acid plus 5040 cGy external irradiation) for stage II and III rectal cancer patients. Among 134 stage II and III rectal cancer patients who underwent TME, 100 patients received postoperative chemoradiation (group A) and 34 patients decided not to receive radiation therapy (group B). For these two groups, survival and recurrence rates were compared. Follow-up times were 6 to 60 months (mean 24.7). There was no difference between two groups with regard to sex, stage of the disease, mean tumor location from dentate line, status of lateral margins, type of operation and mean follow-up duration. However, mean age was higher in group B (65.6 vs 53.9, P0.05). Local recurrence rate was also similar (11.0% vs 3.0%). There was no significant difference in duration between surgery and initial recurrence (14.0 months vs 11.0 months, P=0.18). The 5-year-disease-free survival rate was 57.0% in group A and 63.0% in group B (P=0.33). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found no beneficial effect of postoperative radiation therapy following TME for the rectal cancer.

Intracavitary 166 Holmium - chitosan Complex Therapy in Patients with Malignant Peritoneal or Pleural Effusions / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Most malignant peritoneal or pleural effusions caused by advanced malignancy are unresponsive to systemic chemotherapy except for chemotherapy sensitive tumors, and they are equally ineffective to regional therapy or radiotherapy. Thus, for the purpose of palliating the symptoms related to malignant effusion and to reduce fluid reaccumulations, we evaluated the therapeutic feasibility and efficacy of intracavitary ' Ho-CHICO (chito- san complex) instillation for intractable malignant effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty one patients with cytologically or pathologically proven malignant effusions underwent intracavitary 166Ho-CHICO therapy from May 1996 to March 1998 at Ajou University Hospital. The subjective and objective responses were evaluated 4 weeks after the treatment, including the changes of symptoms, weight, abdominal girth, doses of diuretics, frequencies and amounts of repeat aspirations for fluid reaccumulations, and imaging studies of chest radiograph and ultrasounds. RESULTS: The response rates treated with Ho-CHICO were 50% in patients with peritoneal effusion and 46% in patients with pleural effusion (overall 49%). The response rates between 166Ho-CHICO doses of 50-80 mCi and 90-100 mCi were similar (50% vs 47%). Response rate of 70% was noted in patients with even distribution of radioisotope on the post-therapy scan, but, the response rate was lower in cases with focal (44%) and uneven (29%) distribution pattern. There was no difference in response by the effusion sites. All patients tolerated intracavitary 166Ho-CHICO instillation well, although the majority of patients experienced Grade I/II side effects such as pain, fever, weakness and dyspnea. But, no serious complications of Grade lII or IV degree were observed with 166Ho-CHICO therapy. CONCLUSION: Intracavitary 166Ho-CHICO instillation was clinically efficacious in controlling malignant effusions without a significant toxicity seen with conventional sclerotic therapy. The therapeutic modality appeared to offer similar benefits obtained with the conventional intracavitary therapy.

The Irradiated Lung Volume in Tangential Fields for the Treatment of a Breast / 대한치료방사선과학회지

PURPOSE: Radiation pneumonitis is one of the complications caused by radiation therapy that includes a portion of the lung tissue. The severity of radiation induced pulmonary dysfunction depends on the irradiated lung volume, total dose, dose rate and underlying pulmonary function. It also depends on whether chemotherapy is done or not. The irradiated lung volume is the most important factor to predict the pulmonary dysfunction in breast cancer patients following radiation therapy. There are some data that show the irradiated lung volume measured from CT scans as a part of treatment planning with the tangential beams. But such data have not been reported in Korea. We planned to evaluate the irradiated lung volume quantitatively using CT scans for the breast tangential field and search for useful factors that could predict the irradiated lung volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lung volume was measured for 25 patients with breast cancer irradiated with tangential field from Jan.1995 to Aug.1996. Parameters that can predict the irradiated lung volume included; (1) the perpendicular distance from the posterior tangential edge to the posterior part of the anterior chest wall at the center of the field (CLD); (2) the maximum perpendicular distance from the posterior tangential field edge to the posterior part of the anterior chest wall (MLD); (3) the greatest perpendicular distance from the posterior tangential edge to the posterior part of anterior chest wall on CT image at the center of the longitudinal field (GPD); (4) the length of the longitudinal field (L). The irradiated lung volume(RV), the entire both lung volume(EV) and the ipsilateral lung volume(IV) were measured using dose volume histogram. The relationship between the irradiated lung volume and predictors was evaluated by regression analysis. RESULTS: The RV is 61-279cc (mean 170cc), the RV/EV is 2.9-13.0% (mean 5.8%) and the RV/IV is 4.9-29.6% (mean 12.2%). The CLD, the MLD and the GPD are 1.9-3.3cm, 1.9-3.3cm and 1.4-3.1cm respectively. The significant relations between the irradiated lung volume such as RV, RV/EV, RV/IV and parameters such as CLD, MLD, GPD, L, CLDxL, MLDxL and GPDxL are not found with little variances in parameters. The RV/IV of the left breast irradiation is significantly larger than that of the right but the RV/EVs do not show the differences. There is no symptomatic radiation pneumonitis at least during 6 months follow up. CONCLUSION: The significant relationship between the irradiated lung volume and predictors is not found with little variation on parameters. The irradiated lung volume in the tangential field is less than 10% of entire lung volume when CLD is less than 3cm. The RV/IV of the left tangential field is larger than that of the right but there was no significant differences in RV/EVs. Symptomatic radiation pneumonitis has not occurred during minimum 6 months follow up.

Role of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Brain Metastases

Brain metastases are a common cause of disability and death in patients with cancer, but their management remains a major clinical problem. They can, however, be effectively controlled by radiation therapy, possible modalities being external radiotherapy, brachytherapy(implantation), stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS), or a combination of the above modalities. It can be expected that the neurologic status of patients thus treated will remain stable or improve for most of the period during which they survive; using whole brain radiotherapy, the possible palliation index is 75-80%. Despite treatment, however, as many as 1/3 to 2/3 of patients are expected to die from complications related to the progression of brain metastases. With regard to survival, randomized trials involving dose escalation have not yet shown any advantage over the conventional dose; the same palliation index of 75-80% is expected for 40Gy/20 fractions, 30Gy/10 fractions, and 20Gy/5 fractions. It is clear, however, that a smaller daily dose of radiation(the conventional dose is 200cGy/fraction) will reduce the incidence of radiation induced dementia and improve the quality of life in long term survivors. In certain conditions such as solitary brain metastasis without extracranial disease and good performance status(KPS>or=70), a more aggressive approach, including surgical resection and stereotactic radiosurgery can be considered.