Frequency of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) in patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) is a known precursor of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of STIC in patients with HGSOC and analyze the STIC-related prognosis in patients with HGSOC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All pathology reports at our institution that included bilateral salpingectomies of patients with HGSOC from January 2013 to December 2018 were reviewed by two experienced pathologists. The specimens from the ovaries and the salpinx including fimbria were examined. We analyzed the correlation between STIC and HGSOC and compared the clinical characteristics and STIC-related prognostic outcomes in patients with HGSOC. RESULTS: Eleven of the 76 cases were STIC. BRCA mutations were found in 16.9% of patients with HGSOC. STIC was observed in 30.0% of patients with BRCA mutations and in 14.3% of patients without BRCA mutations. The incidence of STIC in patients with BRCA mutations was approximately twice that in patients without BRCA mutations; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.231). Further, the 5-year survival rate of patients without STIC appeared to be high; nevertheless, the difference was not statistically significant (59.7% vs. 47.4%, P = 0.633). Moreover, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival rate according to STIC (36.4% vs. 33.1%, P = 0.956). CONCLUSION: STIC was identified in patients with HGSOC, and STIC incidence was prominent in HGSOC related to BRCA mutation. Although low frequency, STIC was detected in patients without BRCA mutation. Therefore, prophylactic salpingectomy may be useful for prevention of HGSOC.

Effect of Human Umbilical Cord Matrix-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe sequela caused by bisphosphonates (BPs), which are widely used to treat osteoporosis or other malignancies. However, the mechanism underlying BRONJ remains unclear. Recently, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been studied for treatment of diverse diseases and injuries. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs in BRONJ. METHODS: The therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs were examined in rat bone marrow (rBM)-derived cells using cell viability, colony-forming, and real-time PCR assays and FACS for analyzing essential proinflammatory and bone regeneration markers in vitro. To demonstrate the in vivo therapeutic and adverse effects of transfused hUC-MSCs, micro-CT, H&E staining, IHC (Angiogenesis marker gene expression) staining, and parathyroid hormone (PTH)/calcium assay were conducted in a BRONJ-induced animal model. RESULTS: BP-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation in rBM-derived cells decreased, after co-culture with hUC-MSCs. The expression levels of bone regeneration markers (RUNX2, OSX, and BMP-2) significantly increased in BP-treated rBM-derived cells, after co-culture with hUC-MSCs. The BP-induced abnormal shift in RANKL/OPG expression ratio in rBM-derived cells was normalized by hUC-MSCs. Consistent with these in vitro results, transfused hUC-MSCs markedly decreased BRONJ and significantly healed injured mucosa in the BRONJ-induced animal model. The animals exhibited serious destruction of the kidney structure and increases in serum PTH and calcium levels, which were significantly normalized by hUC-MSC transfusion. CONCLUSION: hUC-MSCs exerted therapeutic effects on BRONJ in vitro and in vivo through their anti-cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity and ability to recover bone regeneration.

The clinical significance of HERV-H LTR -associating 2 expression in cervical adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: HERV-H LTR -associating 2 (HHLA2) is a recently discovered member of the B7-family of immune checkpoint molecules that is overexpressed in several types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of HHLA2 in cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) and the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological factors to assess its use as a potential marker for AC prognosis.This study included 76 patients diagnosed with cervical AC. Their resected specimens were obtained and a tissue microarray was constructed. Expression of HHLA2 was detected by the immunohistochemistry. Based on the follow-up data, correlation of HHLA2 expression and clinicopathological features, including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival, was evaluated. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between the expression of HHLA2 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1).A total of 76 cases of invasive cervical AC were evaluated. High HHLA2 expression was detected in 62 cases (81.6%) and low HHLA2 expression was presented in 14 cases (18.4%). HHLA2 expression showed a significant negative correlation with lymph node metastasis (P = .011). Disease free survival was 75.0% and 49.0% in high-expression and the low expression group, respectively (P = .057). Although there was no statistical significance, an improved OS was observed in the high expression group (83.1% vs 64.9%, P = .479). Further, the expression of HHLA2 and PD-L1 correlated positively (P = .005). Thus, an improved OS was observed in the PD-L1 expression group (90.7% vs 66.2%, P = .037).High expression of HHLA2 is related to tumor progression and prognosis in patients with cervical AC. Therefore, HHLA2 may be a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis of cervical AC.

Transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting bead compared with radiofrequency ablation for treatment of single small hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot non-randomized trial.

Background/Aims: Surgical resection, transplantation, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are generally accepted as amenable treatments for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently drug-eluting beads (DEB) which had several treatment advantages were introduced for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and safety of DEB-TACE compared with RFA for the treatment of single small HCC. Methods: In this pilot non-randomized trial, we assessed retrospective data of 40 patients who underwent DEB-TACE (n=21) or RFA (n=19) for single small (≤3 centimeter in greatest dimension) HCC. The primary outcomes were tumor response and time to recurrence. The secondary outcome was treatment-related complications. Results: Complete response rate to DEB-TACE and RFA after first follow-up assessment was 90.5% and 94.7%, respectively (P=1.000). During mean follow-up of 87.6 months (95% confidence interval, 74.4-102), 7 patients experienced local recurrence. The 6- and 12-month cumulative local recurrence rate was 5.0% and 21.8% in DEB-TACE vs. 11.1% and 17.0% in RFA group (P=0.877). A total 14 distant intrahepatic recurrences were developed and 12- and 24-month cumulative distant intrahepatic recurrence rate was 20.6% and 42.7% in DEB-TACE vs. 17.2% and 36.3% in RFA group (P=0.844). Two patients experienced gangrenous cholecystitis after DEB-TACE requiring cholecystectomy as treatment-related adverse event. Conclusions: Tumor response and recurrence rate after single session of DEB-TACE or RFA were similar. DEB-TACE could be applied selectively in patients with a single small HCC if the other therapeutic modality is unfeasible.

Phytoavailability-based threshold values for cadmium in soil for safer crop production.

The phytoavailability of heavy metals in soils is important for both food safety and environmental management. Hence soil metal phytoavailability threshold values need to be established based on a firm scientific basis. In this study, optimal Cd phytoavailability threshold values, were determined for bean, rice and sesame cultivated in 100 soils varying widely in soil chemical characteristics by comparing the soil Cd phytoavailability obtained using three commonly used extraction procedures. Subsequently, the transfer functions derived in this study, were used to establish soil Cd phytoavailability threshold value standard limits for each specific crop. In addition, independent experimental data were used to supplement the obtained soil phytoavailable Cd threshold value for rice. Soil phytoavailable Cd concentrations extracted by 1 M NH4NO3, 0.05 M EDTA and Mehlich3 solutions were each more significantly correlated with plant Cd concentrations than total soil Cd concentrations. Thus, the soil Cd phytoavailability threshold values proposed in this study provide a more effective means of ensuring safer agricultural food production. Therefore, it is recommended that current agricultural soil heavy metal management policy; which is based on total concentrations; should be changed to embrace soil metal phytoavailability for safer agricultural food production.

Ovarian dysgerminoma with Müllerian anomaly: a case report.

Müllerian anomalies are rare deformities in women, and only a few cases concerning gynecologic malignancies arising in patients with congenital uterine malformations have been reported. Herein, we present the case of a 34-year-old woman with dysgerminoma with a Müllerian anomaly (uterus didelphys). She had secondary amenorrhea, and an ovarian mass and uterus didelphys were discovered during examination. After right salpingo-oophorectomy, the tumor was confirmed as dysgerminoma, and a chromosome study revealed a normal female karyotype (46, XX). The patient completely responded to 6 cycles of chemotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of dysgerminoma with uterus didelphys. Although gynecologic malignancies in patients with Müllerian anomalies are very rare, clinicians should be aware of the coexistence of gynecologic malignancies and uterine malformations.

Arsenic trioxide and tetraarsenic oxide induce cytotoxicity and have a synergistic effect with cisplatin in paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cells.

Background: Arsenic compounds (As2O3 and As4O6) have demonstrated anticancer effects in various malignancies. In this study, the cytotoxicity of arsenic compounds on ovarian cancer cell lines and the anticancer activity of the combination of arsenic compounds and cisplatin IN chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells were investigated.Methods: We investigated the cytotoxicity of As2O3 and As4O6 and their combinations with cisplatin in the paclitaxel-sensitive ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3ip1 and HeyA8 and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3TRip2 and HeyA8-MDR. Growth and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and annexin V assay using flow cytometry, respectively. For detection of apoptotic cells, immunofluorescence was performed using a cleaved caspase-3 antibody. Cell-cycle distribution was determined by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry.Results: Treatment of each cell line with As2O3 or As4O6 led to a marked dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth. As2O3 and As4O6 treatment induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in all cell lines compared to the respective control groups (p < .05). As2O3 and As4O6 induced apoptosis of paclitaxel-sensitive and -resistant cancer cell lines following G2/M cell cycle arrest (p < .05). A synergistic effect was achieved by combining cisplatin with As2O3 or As4O6 in the paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines.Conclusions: As2O3 and As4O6 can inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in paclitaxel-sensitive and -resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. Their combination with cisplatin resulted in a synergistic effect in paclitaxel-resistant cancer cell lines. These results suggest that arsenic compounds may be given in monotherapy or combination therapy with cisplatin for treating paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer.

The first case of vaginal angiomatoid Spitz nevus causing vaginal bleeding.

Angiomatoid Spitz nevus is a variant of melanocytic nevus with prominent vasculature. Due to its pathologic features, angiomatoid Spitz nevus in the vaginal wall is extremely rare. A 42-year-old woman presented to the hospital with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Vaginal examination revealed a 2×2-cm well-demarcated tumor on the posterior wall of the vagina. The mass was successfully removed by complete excision and was diagnosed as angiomatoid Spitz nevus on pathologic examination. We present the first reported case of vaginal angiomatoid Spitz nevus, which caused vaginal bleeding. Although angiomatoid Spitz nevus has many histopathological similarities with malignant melanoma, precise histopathological diagnosis is important for preventing overtreatment.

The first case of Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (Anti-NMDAR encephalitis) associated with ovarian mucinous cystadenoma: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune and paraneoplastic encephalitis caused by the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibody which is related to tumors, such as teratomas of the ovaries. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Anti-NMDAR encephalitis associated with ovarian mucinous cystadenoma. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old woman with a flu-like illness, confused mental status, and behavioral changes presented to the hospital. A right-sided ovarian tumor was detected during the work-up and was suspected to be a teratoma that might have caused the encephalitis. A laparoscopic right salpingo-oophorectomy (RSO) was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma. She recovered gradually and had complete resolution of symptoms after surgical removal of the mucinous cystadenoma and immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Even though anti-NMDAR encephalitis is caused by ovarian teratoma because it contains various types of tissues, ovarian tumors in anti-NMDAR encephalitis may not be limited to ovarian teratomas.

Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio or Fibros-4 Index Predicts the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients with Sustained Virologic Response to Interferon Therapy.

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not completely eliminated in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients even after viral eradication. There are few studies in predicting the development of HCC using biomarker in CHC patients with sustained virologic response (SVR). We evaluated the role of the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) in predicting HCC development in 295 patients with SVR after interferon therapy. The annual incidence of HCC was 0.55% (95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.96). It was higher in patients with a pretreatment APRI ≥2.0 than in those with an APRI <2.0 (1.82% versus 0.17%; P = 0.0001) and in patients with a FIB-4 ≥ 3.25 compared with those with a FIB-4 < 3.25. (1.50% versus 0.07%; P = 0.0001). The annual incidence of HCC was higher in patients with a post-treatment APRI ≥0.5 than in those with an APRI <0.5 (1.67% versus 0.07%; P < 0.0001) and in patients with a post-treatment FIB-4 ≥ 2.5 compared with those with a FIB-4 < 2.5 (1.49% versus 0.01%; P = 0.0003). Among pretreatment variables, male gender, albumin, APRI, or FIB-4 were independent predictors for HCC. Among post-treatment variables, APRI or FIB-4 was an independent predictor for HCC. HCC surveillance should be performed in these high-risk patients.

Clinical significance of the pattern-based classification in endocervical adenocarcinoma, usual and variants.

BACKGROUND: The Silva system is a pattern-based classification system that stratifies endocervical adenocarcinomas (AC) into 3 categories to assess the risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate whether this novel risk stratification system is applicable to all endocervical AC, including usual and variant, and to suggest a suitable management plan for cervical AC. METHODS: We retrospectively retrieved consecutive pathology cases with a final diagnosis of endocervical AC treated via radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Specimens were classified by consensus according to the Silva system based on "pattern of invasion" as A, B, or C, further clinical/pathologic features were assessed according to pattern-based classification. RESULTS: A total of 76 cases of invasive cervical AC were evaluated. Of these, 63 (82.9%) were categorized as usual-type endocervical AC and 13 (17.1%) as special types. Among those with usual and variants, all patients with pattern A tumor had no LN metastasis and did not develop recurrence. Likewise, multivariate analysis revealed that LN metastasis and pattern C or B tumors are significant independent predictors of disease-free survival (DFS). Although pattern A tumors had no LN metastasis, they also developed complications after surgery, similar to pattern B or C tumors. CONCLUSION: Regardless of histologic subtypes, pattern A tumors had no LN metastasis and no recurrence. Thus, the Silva classification system can influence the clinical management of all types of endocervical AC. Conservative management is reasonable in all patients with endocervical AC with pattern A tumors.

Refining the tumor-node-metastasis staging system for individualized treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are staged according to the single age cut point in addition to anatomic extent. A novel staging system is needed to properly show the character and prognosis of DTC by considering age as a continuous variable. We aimed to refine stage and prognostic groups of the eighth edition tumor-node-metastasis (TNM-8) staging system for DTC and to suggest a possible revision. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective data abstraction study of patients with newly diagnosed DTC who were treated at one of two tertiary referral centres in Seoul, Korea between 1994 and 2005. We used recursive partitioning analysis to derive a new staging classification (TNM-RPA) and compared its prediction of cancer-specific survival with that of TNM-8. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 6342 patients with DTC who were followed up for a median of 11.4 years. Higher TNM-RPA groups were associated with increased risk of death (10-year cancer-specific survival for stages IA, IB, IIA, IIB, III, and IV: 99.6%, 98.1%, 93.0%, 92.4%, 75.1%, and 56.6%, respectively; P < 0.001). The C-index values were 0.869 (95% CI, 0.833-0.905) for the TNM-RPA and 0.819 (0.789-0.850) for TNM-8. The proportions of variance explained for the ability of the TNM-RPA and TNM-8 stages to predict cancer-specific survival were 7.1% and 5.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study presents a RPA-based TNM stage groupings that incorporate multiple age cutoffs and essential anatomic information, which can be conveniently used to facilitate the individual prediction of long-term cancer-specific survival in patients with DTC.

Persistent HPV-16 infection leads to recurrence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

High-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a precancerous lesion of cervical cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of high-grade CIN and to determine if the specific genotype of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a predictor of recurrent high-grade CIN. Between January 2010 and December 2014, 172 patients with CIN 2+ underwent cold knife conization or a loop electrosurgical excision. The HPV DNA chip was used to detect HPV. Recurrent lesions were histologically confirmed and considered to be recurrence of CIN2+. We compared the recurrence rate in patients who did and did not have HPV infection after treatment. One hundred forty-eight (86%) patients had HPV infection before treatment. The first follow-up HPV test was performed on average 4.6 months after treatment and the recurrence rate for high-grade CIN was 3.5%. Fifty-eight patients (33.7%) were found to have HPV infection after treatment; of these, 14 (24.1%) had HPV genotype 16 and/or 18. Eleven patients had persistent HPV16 and/or 18 infection and 3 had new HPV 16 infection after treatment (78.6% and 21.4%, P = .001); the HPV 16 genotype was significantly correlated with recurrent disease and persistent infection after treatment (P = .013 and P = .054, respectively, [OR], 19.4; 95% [CI], 1.89-198.79). Recurrence of high-grade CIN was related to HPV infection after treatment, and persistent HPV16 infection was the most important factor for recurrence. Therefore, HPV vaccination for the HPV16 genotype and regular follow-up with HPV testing after treatment may be useful for preventing recurrent high-grade CIN.

Thrombosed Fetal Dural Sinus Malformation: Correlation Between Prenatal Ultrasound and Autopsy Findings.

INTRODUCTION: Dural sinus malformations, which are characterized by massively dilated dural sinuses, are one of the etiologies of an intracranial fetal cystic mass. Thrombi within these dural sinus malformations can develop while in-utero, and can be visualized by ultrasound in fetal life. Definitive postnatal diagnosis requires an autopsy. CASE REPORT: We report two thrombosed fetal dural sinus malformations which are prenatally suspected during the second trimester with ultrasonography and postnatally confirmed with autopsy. CONCLUSION: Prenatal ultrasound images and fetal autopsy findings can be useful to establish the prenatal diagnosis of thrombosed dural sinus malformation.

Overexpression of peroxiredoxin-3 and -5 is a potential biomarker for prognosis in endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes that serve important roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. In the present study, the potential associations between PRDX expression and endometrial cancer were investigated. The expression levels of various PRDX mRNAs were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in endometrial cancer tissues (n=26) and normal endometrial tissues (n=10). Additionally, the expression of PRDX isoforms was immunohistochemically examined in endometrial cancer tissues and adjacent normal endometrial tissues from 42 patients. Finally, the associations between high PRDX expression levels and clinicopathological features were examined in patients with endometrial cancer. Analysis of PRDX expression in endometrial cancer tissues and normal endometrial tissues by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that all PRDX isoforms had increased expression in the endometrial cancer tissues compared with that in the normal endometrium, and the differences in the expression levels of PRDX1 and PRDX3 between cancer and normal tissues were statistically significant (P=0.0015 and P=0.0134, respectively). Additionally, analysis of PRDX expression in endometrial cancer and paired normal endometrial tissues by immunohistochemistry showed strong cytoplasmic staining of PRDX3 and PRDX5 in cancer tissues, with high PRDX3 (25/42, 59.5%) and PRDX5 (32/42, 76.2%) appearing more frequently in endometrial cancer than in normal endometrial tissues (P=0.0001 and P=0.0023, respectively). Furthermore, high expression of PRDX5 was associated with advanced-stage endometrial cancer (P=0.0399). Although the 5-year survival rate was marginally higher in patients with low expression of PRDX3 and PRDX5, this result was not statistically significant. In summary, PRDX3 and PRDX5 are highly expressed in endometrial cancer and could be associated with advanced stage and poor prognosis. Therefore, these proteins may potentially be used as prognostic markers for endometrial cancer.

Practical Initial Risk Stratification Based on Lymph Node Metastases in Pediatric and Adolescent Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Data on the risk stratification of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of structural persistent/recurrent disease and revise an initial risk-stratification system in pediatric DTC patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 203 patients (aged <20 years) from two tertiary referral centers in Korea. The extent of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis was classified based on the location or number of metastatic LNs. RESULTS: During a median follow-up duration of 5.5 years, structural persistent/recurrent disease was observed in 51 (25%) patients, including 22 (11%) with distant metastases. The presence of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and lateral cervical LN metastases or more than five metastatic LNs were independent predictors for structural persistent/recurrent disease. The presence of bilateral lateral cervical LN metastases or >10 metastatic LNs were independent predictors for distant metastasis. A total of 67 (33%), 72 (35%), and 64 (32%) patients were classified into the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively, based on the presence of ETE and the extent of cervical LN metastases. Compared to the low-risk group, the intermediate- and high-risk groups had a significantly greater risk of structural persistent/recurrent disease (hazard ratio = 7.32, p = 0.008, and hazard ratio = 24.28, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This revised initial risk-stratification system based on the presence of ETE and the extent of cervical LN metastasis is useful for predicting the clinical outcomes of pediatric DTC patients. The findings could facilitate the practical use of a risk-stratification system.

Prognostic indicators of outcomes in patients with lung metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma during long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Distant metastases, although uncommon, represent maximum disease-related mortality in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Lungs are the most frequent sites of metastases. We aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and identify prognostic factors in metastatic DTC limited to the lungs. METHODS: This retrospective study included 89 patients with DTC and metastases limited to the lungs, who were treated between 1996 and 2012 at Samsung Medical Center. Progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were evaluated according to clinicopathologic factors. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with structural progressive disease (PD) and cancer-specific death. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 84 months, the 5- and 10-year CSS rates were 78% and 73%, respectively. Older age at diagnosis (≥55 years), radioactive iodine (RAI) nonavidity, preoperative or late diagnosis of metastasis and macro-nodular metastasis (≥1 cm) were predictive of decreased PFS and CSS. Multivariate analysis identified older age (P = .002), RAI nonavidity (P = .045) and preoperative (P = .030) or late diagnosis (P = .026) as independent predictors of structural PD. RAI avidity was also independent predictor of cancer-specific death (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Patients with DTC and metastatic disease limited to the lungs had favourable long-term outcomes. Age, RAI avidity and timing of metastasis were found to be major factors for predicting prognosis.

Disease-Specific Mortality of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients in Korea: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding disease-specific mortality of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients and its risk factors in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a large multi-center cohort of thyroid cancer from six Korean hospitals and included 8,058 DTC patients who underwent initial surgery between 1996 and 2005. RESULTS: Mean age of patients at diagnosis was 46.2±12.3 years; 87% were females. Most patients had papillary thyroid cancer (PTC; 97%) and underwent total thyroidectomy (85%). Mean size of the primary tumor was 1.6±1.0 cm. Approximately 40% of patients had cervical lymph node (LN) metastases and 1.3% had synchronous distant metastases. During 11.3 years of follow-up, 150 disease-specific mortalities (1.9%) occurred; the 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was 98%. According to the year of diagnosis, the number of disease-specific mortality was not different. However, the rate of disease-specific mortality decreased during the study period (from 7.7% to 0.7%). Older age (≥45 years) at diagnosis, male, follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) versus PTC, larger tumor size (>2 cm), presence of extrathyroidal extension (ETE), lateral cervical LN metastasis, distant metastasis and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage were independent risk factors of disease-specific mortality of DTC patients. CONCLUSION: The rate of disease-specific mortality of Korean DTC patients was 1.9%; the 10-year DSS rate was 98% during 1996 to 2005. Older age at diagnosis, male, FTC, larger tumor size, presence of ETE, lateral cervical LN metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stages were significant risk factors of disease-specific mortality of Korean DTC patients.

Preoperative serum thyroglobulin predicts initial distant metastasis in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) generally has a favorable prognosis. However, a small percentage of patients suffer from initial distant metastasis (DM). To date, there is no effective predictor for the presence of initial DM. The aim of this study was to determine if preoperative serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level could predict initial DM in DTC. We reviewed an institutional thyroid cancer database from October 1994 to February 2016. To determine the Tg cutoff for predicting initial DM, 4,735 patients who were diagnosed with DTC were included in this study. Fifty-seven patients (1.2%) were identified as having DTC with initial DM. Median preoperative Tg level was 328.4 ng/ml in the initial DM group and 10.0 ng/ml in the non-DM group. Initial DM was the most important factor affecting serum Tg level (ß = 2,049.32 ± 103.40; P < 0.001). The Tg cutoff level that distinguished overall DM with the greatest accuracy was 63.4 ng/ml [area under the ROC curve 0.914, sensitivity 84.2%, specificity 90.6%, negative likelihood ratio (LR) 0.17, and positive LR 8.97]. Preoperative Tg levels were useful for predicting initial DM of DTC. Measurement of serum Tg in patients with DTC may guide preoperative staging evaluation and initial treatment.

Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal hernia repair of fallopian tube indirect inguinal hernia in reproductive aged woman: a case report.

An indirect inguinal hernia containing the fallopian tube alone is extremely rare in reproductive-aged women without any genital tract anomalies. Despite this rarity, early diagnosis and adequate management is important to prevent strangulation and recurrence. We present a case of an indirect inguinal hernia containing only the fallopian tube in the hernia sac, which was successfully reduced by using a laparoscopic total extraperitoneal approach and repaired with a polypropylene mesh.