Incidence and Multiplicities of Adenomatous Polyps in TNM Stage I Colorectal Cancer in Korea

PURPOSE: In recent years, the incidence of early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) has markedly increased in the population within the Republic of Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of adenomatous polyps in TNM stage I CRC patients and in the general population. METHODS: Between March 2003 and September 2009, 168 patients with stage I CRC were enrolled in this study. In addition, the records of 4,315 members of the general population without CRC, as determined by colonoscopy during a health check-up, were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 168 patients with stage I CRC, 68 (40.5%) had coexisting colorectal adenomatous polyps and of the 4,315 members of the general population, 1,112 (26.0%) had coexisting adenomatous polyps (P = 0.006). The prevalences of adenomatous polyp multiplicity in early CRC and in the general population were 32% and 15%, respectively (P = 0.023). Patients with coexisting adenomatous polyps had a higher frequency of tubulovillous or villous adenomas than members of the general population with polyps (7.5% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.037). Furthermore, a subgroup analysis showed that the occurrence (44% vs. 34%, P = 0.006) and the multiplicity (32% vs. 15%, P = 0.023) of adenomatous polyps were greater for T2 than T1 cancer. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and the multiplicity of adenomatous polyps in TNM stage I CRC is higher than it is in the general population. The findings of this study suggest that depth of invasion of early stage CRC affects the prevalence and the number of adenomatous polyps in the remaining colon and rectum.

Outcomes of Early Liver Transplantation in a Hospital That Is Starting to Perform Liver Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the number of liver transplantation (LT) center is still changing. Many more centers are performing liver transplantations than that during the past decades. But several centers have stopped liver transplantation, while some centers have newly started performing liver transplantation. We present our initial experience in a newly built center as an example for any center that is considering performing LT. METHODS: A total of 33 consecutive adult LTs that were performed from June 2006 to October 2009 were analyzed by comparing the first 11 living donor liver transplants (LDLTs) performed with the help of an outside experienced team (group 2) with the second 11 LDLTs (group 3) and the 11 deceased donor liver transplantations (DDLTs) cases (group 1) that were independently performed in our center. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality for the donors and there were two operative mortalities for the recipients. During a mean follow-up of 27.1 months (range: 2 days~61 months), there were two cases of late mortality for the recipients. There were no re-operations and no major complications for the donors. The warm ischemic time was significantly longer in group 1 than that in groups 2 and 3. Otherwise, there was no significant difference in the operative outcomes among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thorough preparation and the valuable assistance of an experienced liver transplantation team at the beginning can facilitate a more rapid learning curve and bring about good outcomes even in a small, newly established institution.

Transformational Experience of a Student Nurse with Diabetes: A Case Study / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The current study was aimed to investigate the transformational experience of a female student nurse living with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: A case study of a 24-year-old diabetes patient was conducted, with interviews concerning the evolving process she had lived through during the period from her later high school years to her graduation from nursing college. RESULTS: Followings were identified as 5-transformation process: With her diabetes-related limitation, the participant experienced 'conflict involving choosing a college and major'. The participant tried to be in charge of managing her diabetes and stepped forward to 'adaptation to college life as a new environment', and she learned more about the process of 'evolving awareness of caring' and developed herself further through the process of 'integration of the nurse identity into self-identity', and finally through the process of 'progression and preparation for getting a job' she achieved her goals, being positive about the future. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study can provide individuals with diabetes a way of self-management and help the patients and their families in diabetes education. Further research will be needed to refine the results of this study and to learn more about the experiences of patients with type I diabetes in college years.