Bladder Malakoplakia Mimicking Bladder Cancer / 대한내과학회지

Malakoplakia is an extremely rare granulomatous disease caused by infection and known to occur mostly in immune-compromised hosts. The most common site of involvement is the bladder. Patients with malakoplakia of the bladder present with multiple intravesical masses and are often misdiagnosed with bladder cancer. As a result, appropriate treatment is delayed. Here we report a case of a patient with malakoplakia of the bladder that was misdiagnosed as bladder cancer.

Spontaneous Regression of Hyperplastic Gastric Polyps

Although gastric hyperplastic polyps are recognized as benign lesions, there is concern regarding carcinomatous changes in the polyps, depending on their size. If the polyp size is larger than 1.0~2.0 cm, endoscopic resection is usually recommended. Gastric hyperplastic polyps easily undergo changes in their shape and size over time. However, spontaneous regression of hyperplastic polyps is very rare. We present a recent case wherein gastric hyperplastic polyps disappeared spontaneously. We present the case along with a literature review.

FDG-PET in Mediastinal Nodal Staging of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Correlation of False Results with Histopathologic Finding / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer can be markedly improved by FDG-PET scan, but the problem of false staging of mediastinal nodes by PET scan in non-small cell lung cancer has not yet been overcome. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the false staging of mediastinal nodes by FDG-PET in the case of non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the factors determining the FDG uptake in mediastinal nodes, FDG-PET was performed preoperatively, and mediastinal dissection with pulmonary resection was performed in 62 patients with NSCLC. GLUT-1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry of the mediastinal nodes (n=111, true positive 31, true negative 41, false positive 27, false negative 12) using the anti-GLUT-1 antibody. The size, percentage of tumor (tumor ratio), labeling index (rate of stained tumor), staining intensity of the tumor, level of follicular hyperplasia, and staining intensity of the follicle center in the mediastinal node were also studied. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in size among the 4 nodal groups (TP, TN, FP, FN), nor in the tumor ratio of the metastatic nodes between the TP and FN groups. The labeling index and staining intensity of the TP group were higher than those of the FN group (Mann-Whitney test, p=.001, p=.007) in the case of the metastatic nodes. The level of follicular hyperplasia of the FP group was higher than that of the TN group in the case of the non-metastatic nodes (p=.000). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer by FDG-PET, the FN node is associated with low uptake of FDG due to low expression of GLUT-1, and that the FP node is associated with a high level of follicular hyperplasia as a result of there being a reactive change to an inflammatory and/or immune reaction. This is the first report on the mechanism underlying the false results that are sometimes obtained, and which constitute a major problem in the clinical application of FDG-PET to the mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

Epidemiological Study on Cancer Prevention by Ginseng: Are All Kinds of Cancers Preventable by Ginseng?

In the light of experimental results, two case-control studies and one cohort study in a population of ginseng cultivation area were conducted to confirm whether ginseng has any anticarcinogenic effect on human cancers. All participants were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire to obtain the information on demographics, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and ginseng intake. In 905 pairs case-control study, 62% had a history of ginseng intake compared to 75% of the controls, a statistically significant difference (p<0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for cancer in relation to ginseng intake was 0.56. In extended case-control study with 1987 pairs, the ORs for cancer were 0.37 in fresh ginseng extract users, 0.57 in white ginseng extract users, 0.30 in white ginseng extract users, 0.30 in white ginseng powder users, and 0.20 in red ginseng users. Those who took fresh ginseng slices, fresh ginseng juice, and white ginseng tea, however, did not show decrease in the risk. Overall, the risk decreased as the frequency and duration of ginseng intake increased. With respect to the site of cancer, the ORs for cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver, pancreas, larynx, lung and ovary were significantly reduced by ginseng intake. Smokers with ginseng intake showed lower ORs for cancers of lung, lip, oral cavity and pharynx and liver than those without ginseng intake. In 5 yr follow- up cohort study conducted in the ginseng cultivation area, Kangwha-eup, ginseng intakers had significantly lower risk than non-intakers. As for the type of ginseng, cancer risk significantly decreased among intakers of fresh ginseng extract, alone or together with other ginseng preparations. Among 24 red ginseng intakers, no cancer death occurred during the follow-up period. The risk for stomach and lung cancers was significantly reduced by ginseng intake, showing a statistically significant dose-response relationship in each follow-up year. In conclusion, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been established as non-organ specific cancer preventive, having dose response relationship. These results warrant that ginseng extracts and its synthetic derivatives should be examined for their preventive effect on various types of human cancers.

Clinical Characteristics of Female Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has been universally lower in female than in male. The aims of our study are to define whether there are any difference between female and male patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of clinical characteristics and results of treatment. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of medical history, physical findings, laboratory results, etiological factors, characteristics of tumor, and therapeutic results were performed in 80 female patients with hepatocellular carcinoma compared to 160 male patients. RESULTS: Asymptomatic presentation and family history of liver disease were found more frequently in female patients than in male patients. A history of smoking and alcohol drinking were found less frequently in female patients than in male patients. The detection rate of spider angioma was significantly lower in female patients than in male patients. There was no difference in laboratory results, characteristics of tumor, and therapeutic results between female and male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol drinking could contribute the sexual difference of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, clinical characteristics at the time of diagnosis and therapeutic results were not significantly different between female and male patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

A Study on Patterns of Dose for Radiation Workers in Korea / 한국역학회지

This study presents data on the externally received doses for radiation workers who used the Korea Radioisotope Association's personal monitoring and dose record keeping service from 1984. Distributions of annual dose by age of worker and occupational category were given. The number of radiation workers registered was 23,257 in 1997. The trend of the number of radiation workers and their annual doses increased since 1984. The measured radiation dose were generally low. The collective annual dose and the mean annual dose were 33.45 Sv and 1.44 mSv, respectively. Very few workers(0.5%) exceeded 20 mSv(2 rem) and only 1 exceeded 50 mSv, the legal limit for dose.

Effect of Dietary Factors in the Etiology of Stomach Cancer / 한국역학회지

BACKGROUND: Stomach cancer is the most malignant neoplasm among Koreans. There ane a number of epidemiological studies on dietary factors of stomach cancer in many countries. However, analytical studies on Korean dietary factors are very scarce. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Seoul between April and September in 1996. One hundred twenty-six stomach cancer patients confirmed by the histological diagnosis were compared with 234 control subjects matched by age, sex, and admission date. A food frequency questionnaire asking the consumption frequency of 85 selected food items was used to gather the information from all subjects via a face-to-face interview. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate relative risks when controlling simultaneously for covariates. RESULTS: An increased risk of stomach cancer was noted among those with low economic status, fast eating rate, high eating out, hot-temperature soup preference, salt preference, cucumber Kimchi intake, use of pickled fish in Kimchi. Intake of garlic, green onion, tofu, mung bean pancake, acorn-starch paste, starch vermicelli with mixed vegetables, total fruits, citrus fruits, cabbage, green peppers, spinach, mushrooms and total meat appeared to be protective. Stomach cancer risk was not associated with intake of rice, dairy product, fishes, condiments, coffee, tea, and the cooking methods. These data suggested that the high intake of salt and smoked or pickled food may be associated with a hig risk of stomach cancer, and this association could be due to a intragastric formation of nitrosamines. The negative association with fruits and some vegetable consumption may be due to the inhibition of nitrosation process. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that dietary factors contributed to stomach cancer occurrence in Korea, and this may offer clues for further ethnical and prevention research.

Effect of Non-dietary Factors in the Etiology of Stomach Cancer / 한국역학회지

BACKGROUND: Stomach cancer is the most malignant neoplasm among Koreans. There are some studies on risk factors for cancer prevention. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Seoul between April and September in 1996. One hundred twenty-six stomach cancer patients confirmed by the histological diagnosis were compared with 234 control subjects mached by age, sex, and admission date. The questionnaire included information on sociodemographic characteristics, smoking and drinking habits, height, weight, family history of cancer, nutrient supplements intake etc. Associations of stomach cancer with con-dietary factors were evaluated. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate relative risks when controlling simultaneously for covariates. RESULTS: Weight and body mass index(BMI, kg/m2) at diagnosis were significantly low in cases compared with controls. As non-dietary factors, smoking habits, alcoholic beverage, family gistory, physical activity, water supply, stress, vitamin suppliments and the use of functional foods were not associated with stomach cancer risk. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that non-dietary factors were not associated with stomach cancer risk.

A Study on the Prevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HCV in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparative Study with Healthy Blood Donors / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the positive rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to estimate the risk of developing HCC in association with HBsAg or anti- HCV positivity. METHODS: HBsAg and anti-HCV (anti-c22-3 and anti-c200) were tested by enzyme immunoassay in 892 patients with HCC from 1991 to 1994. Data regarding the prevalence of these hepatitis markers in 4,269 healthy blood donors were obtained from the Central Blood Center of the Korea Red Cross and used for case-control study. RESULTS: The positive rate of HBsAg was 72.3% (645/892) in patients with HCC and 2.7% (117/ 4,269) in blood donors, while that of anti-HCV was 7.6% (68/892) in patients with HCC and 0.3% (11/4,269) in blood donors. Six hundreds and thirty-six among 892 patients with HCC (71.3%) were only positive for HBsAg, 59 (6.6%) were only anti-HCV positive, and 9 (1.0%) were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. The odds ratio (with 95% confidence interval: CI) comparing patients with HCC to healthy blood donors were 17.8 (CI: 4.7-61.5) for HBsAg positive, 11.9 (CI: 2.8-52.2) for anti-HCV positive, and 208.9 (CI: 18.6-2,345.7) for both HBsAg and anti-HCV positive. The risk estimates for both HBsAg and anti-HCV positve were not different from those for HBsAg positive or anti-HCV positive because the confidence interval of patients with both HBsAg and anti-HCV positive overlapped that of patients with HBsAg positive, or that of patients with anti-HCV positive. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that HBsAg was more important risk factor of HCC than anti-HCV and there was no interaction between HBsAg and anti-HCV in the development of HCC.

Studies on Risk Factors in Cancers of the Breast, Uterine Cervix and Ovary / 한국역학회지

This study presents the comparative pattern of risks for cancers of the breast, uterine cervix and ovary in relation to various risk factors based on the data from a case-control study conducted at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Seoul between August in 1996 and March in 1997. Included in the analysis were 128 women of breast cancer, 169 women of uterine cevical cancer and 45 of ovarian cancer confirmed by the historical diagnosis. Person interviews were conducted in all cases through standard questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounding factors. In cancers of the uterine cervix and ovary, increasing risks were seen in earlier age at first menarch. Statistically significant associations were found with postmenopausal women in cancers of the breast(OR=2.0) and ovary(OR=8.5). The OR increased with late age at postmenopause in postmenopausal women of uterine cervical cancer(OR=7.0). Increasing number of pregnant and livebirths was associated with a higher risk of uterine cervical cancer(OR=2.7, 2.9). The risk of uterine cervical cancer was decreasing with increasing age at first birth(OR=0.2). Among postmenopausal women, the OR increased with BMI in breast cancer. A positive history of breastfeeding was associated with significantly lower risk of breast cancer(OR=0.4). There were no associations with anthropometric measurements(height, weight, BMI), smoking, alcohol intake, menstrual regularity, age at first marriage, number of marriage and induced abortion, and oral contraceptives in cancers of the breast, uterine cervix and ovary. In cancers of the breast and uterine cervix, decreasing risks were seen in intake of fresh fruits, carrot and cabbage.

Effect of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking on risk of cancers / 한국역학회지

No abstract available.

Preventive effect of ginseng intake against various human cancers: a case-control study on 1,987 pairs / 한국역학회지

No abstract available.

A study on the medical care expenditure of the uterine cervix carcinoma by clinical stage and treatment modality / 한국역학회지

No abstract available.

Epidemiological studies on familial aggregation of selected cancers / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.