Red meat consumption is associated with an increased overall cancer risk: a prospective cohort study in Korea.

Cancer is a leading cause of death, and the dietary pattern in Korea is changing rapidly from a traditional Korean diet to a Westernised diet. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dietary factors on cancer risk with a prospective cohort study. Among 26,815 individuals who participated in cancer screening examinations from September 2004 to December 2008, 8024 subjects who completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning demographic and lifestyle factors, and a 3 d food record were selected. As of September 2013, 387 cancer cases were identified from the National Cancer Registry System, and the remaining individuals were included in the control group. The hazard ratio (HR) of cancer for the subjects older than or equal to 50 years of age was higher (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.41, 2.31; P< 0.0001) than that for the other subjects. Red meat consumption, Na intake and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) were positively associated with overall cancer incidence in men (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02, 1.94; P= 0.0382), gastric cancer (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.06, 5.19; P= 0.0365) and thyroid cancer (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.05, 2.31; P= 0.0270), respectively. Participants who had at least three dietary risk factors among the high intakes of red meat and Na, low intakes of vegetables and fruits, and obesity suggested by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research at baseline tended to have a higher risk of cancer than the others (HR 1.26, 95% CI 0.99, 1.60; P= 0.0653). In summary, high intakes of red meat and Na were significant risk factors of cancer among Koreans.

Predictive factors for extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinoma based on preoperative sonography.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance and predictive factors of extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinoma based on preoperative sonography. METHODS: Preoperative sonography was performed for 568 patients who underwent surgery for papillary thyroid cancer between May 2009 and December 2010. Patients' T stages based on preoperative sonography were compared with their T stages based on pathologic examination, and we statistically analyzed the discriminatory performance of sonography. Among the 568 patients enrolled in this study, we selected 320 patients in whom extrathyroidal extension was suspected on sonography. We analyzed several predictive factors for extrathyroidal extension. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-five of the 568 patients were proven to have pathologic extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer after surgery (75.9% diagnostic accuracy, 83.3% sensitivity, 68.9% specificity, 71.6% positive predictive value, and 81.5% negative predictive value). Of 320 patients with sonographically suspected extrathyroidal extension, a larger lesion size (P < .001) and a higher lymph node stage on sonography (P = .004) were the best predictors of extrathyroidal extension among the features that we measured. There were no significant differences in terms of the lesion site or thyroid parenchymal background echogenicity. Thyroid capsular protrusion had a higher predictive value than the abutting ratio (P = .001). However, increasing the abutting ratio enabled the prediction of extrathyroidal extension on sonography (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative sonography is a helpful tool for predicting pathologic extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer. In particular, clinicians should focus on the lesion size, nodal stage, and abutment or capsular protrusion of the lesion while performing sonography because these are the most useful predictive factors for extrathyroidal extension.

Desmoplastic fibroma with malignant transformation.

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is a rare neoplasm of bone, showing infiltrative and locally aggressive nature. Here, we report a case of DF with an unusual histology arising in a 41-year-old female in the left distal femur, which was detected by plain x-ray as an osteolytic lesion and by magnetic resonance imaging as a well-demarcated mass with endosteal scalloping. Pathologically, the tumor was composed mainly of bland-looking spindle cells in abundant collagenous stroma, accompanied with areas of myxofibrosarcomatous and malignant fibrous histiocytomatous components. These histologically different areas were admixed with each other. The array-based comparative genomic hybridization study on the histologically different areas showed some specific gained or lost loci according to their histologic features. The specific genetic events and the histologic features of this case might represent the malignant transformation of DF.

Nanoparticle assisted magnetic resonance imaging of the early reversible stages of amyloid beta self-assembly.

Co@Pt-Au nanoparticles, which have enhanced magnetism and high stability in aqueous media, are utilized in conjunction with MRI to monitor the structural evolution of Abeta assemblies, especially Abeta protofibrils in the early reversible stages.

Contrast-enhanced CT for differentiation of ovarian metastasis from gastrointestinal tract cancer: stomach cancer versus colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether the CT findings of ovarian metastasis from stomach cancer differ from those of ovarian metastasis from colon cancer. CONCLUSION: On contrast-enhanced CT scans, ovarian metastatic lesions from stomach cancer appear more solid than, more frequently have dense enhancement of the solid portion, and are smaller than ovarian metastatic lesions from colon cancer.

MRI for pretreatment lymph node staging in uterine cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to assess the accuracy of MRI in detecting pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis from uterine cervical cancer using various imaging criteria. CONCLUSION: Although MRI analysis resulted in relatively low sensitivity, size and margin (spiculated or lobulated) were useful criteria for predicting lymph node metastasis from cervical cancer.

Simple pulmonary eosinophilia evaluated by means of FDG PET: the findings of 14 cases.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to describe the findings of simple pulmonary eosinophilia with using 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed the findings of 14 patients who underwent thoracic computed tomography (CT) and PET, and then they were subsequently proven to have simple pulmonary eosinophilia. PET studies were performed in four patients with malignancy to evaluate for cancer metastasis, and PET scans were also done in 10 healthy subjects who underwent volunteer cancer screening. The PET scans were evaluated by using the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs). The subjects' CT findings also were reviewed and correlated with the PET findings. RESULTS: A total of 42 nodules were detected on the CT scans. There were single nodules in three patients and multiple nodules in 11 patients (mean number of nodules: 3, range: 1-10, mean diameter: 9.5 mm+/-4.7). Twelve of 42 (28.6%) nodules showed FDG uptake and their mean maximum SUV was 2.5+/-1.6 (range: 0.6-5.3). Five of six solid nodules showed FDG uptake (2.2+/-1.1, range: 0.9-3.6), six of 11 semisolid nodules showed FDG uptake (3.1+/-1.8, range: 0.6-5.3) and one of 25 pure ground-glass opacity nodule showed a maximum SUV of 0.8. The maximum SUVs of seven nodules in five patients were greater than 2.5. The maximum SUVs were significantly different according to the nodule types (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Simple pulmonary eosinophilia commonly causes an increase in FDG uptake. Therefore, correlation of the PET findings with the CT findings or the peripheral eosinophil counts can help physicians arrive at the correct diagnosis of simple pulmonary eosinophilia.

Single shot fast spin echo diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spine; Is it useful in differentiating malignant metastatic tumor infiltration from benign fracture edema?

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of single shot fast spin echo diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWSSFSE) in differentiating malignant metastatic tumor infiltration of vertebral bone marrow from benign vertebral fracture edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six consecutive patients with 59 acute osteoporotic or traumatic vertebral fractures (mean age = 59) and 31 patients with 98 vertebral metastasis including 20 pathologic fractures (mean age = 53) were included in this study. Diffusion-weighted MR images were obtained by single-shot fast spin echo technique with diffusion gradient (b = 500 s/mm2, TR/TE: 5002/99) by using a 1.5 T MR scanner (Signa MR/i; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA). T1- and T2-weighted images and short inversion time inversion-recovery (STIR) images were available in all 157 lesions, while contrast-enhanced images were available in 98 metastatic lesions. We evaluated signal intensity patterns on DWSSFSE in 157 lesions, which showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted images in both benign fractures and metastasis. The lesions on DWSSFSE were categorized as low, intermediate, and high signal intensity relative to presumed normal vertebra by concordant inspection of two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists. RESULTS: In benign fractures, DWSSFSE images showed low signal intensity in 56 vertebrae (95%) in 43 patients (93%) and intermediate signal intensity in only 3 vertebrae (5%) in 3 patients (7%). On the other hand, metastases most commonly had low signal intensity in 57 vertebrae (58%) in 25 patients (80%), intermediate signal intensity in 35 vertebrae (36%) in 16 patients (52%), and high signal intensity in 6 vertebrae (6%) in 3 patients (10%). Thus, intermediate and high signal intensities are far more common than benign fractures. Such differences in signal intensity were statistically significant (chi-square test, P < .05). High or intermediate signal intensity on DWSSFSE was highly specific for the diagnosis of metastatic tumor infiltration of the spine (sensitivity: 42%; specificity: 95%; true positive rate: 93%; false negative rate: 52%). CONCLUSIONS: DWSSFSE of the spine may be useful in differentiating metastatic tumor infiltration of vertebral bone marrow from benign fracture edema.

Enhanced cell adhesion to the dimpled surfaces of golf-ball-shaped microparticles.

Engineering surface morphology as in honeycomb-structured planar films is of great importance for providing new potential application and improved performance in biomedical fields. We demonstrate potential new applications for the uniform biocompatible golf-ball-shaped microparticles that resembles 3D feature of honeycomb-structured film. Dimple size controllable golf-ball-shaped microparticles were fabricated by microfluidic device. Surface dimples not only can act as picoliter beaker but also enhance cell adhesion without any chemical modification of the surface.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of a prostate cancer xenograft model seen on a 7 Tesla animal MR scanner: comparison of ADC values and pathologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and pathologic measures of a tumor using a prostate cancer xenograft model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen athymic nude mice with 36 PC-3-induced tumors were sacrificed to obtain specimens immediately after MR imaging in order to compare the findings on MR images with those seen on pathological specimens. Using a high-field small-animal MR scanner, T1- and T2-weighted imaging and DW MR imaging was performed. Tumors were then processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin staining to evaluate tumor cellularity, intratumoral necrosis and immunostaining using antibodies directed against CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to determine the levels of microvessel density (MVD). Mean ADC values that were measured on the solid portion within each tumor were compared with tumor volume, cellularity, degree of necrosis, VEGF expression, and MVD in the corresponding section of the pathological specimen. RESULTS: Mean ADC values of the solid portion within the PC-3-induced high-grade tumors were significantly correlated with the degree of intratumoral necrosis (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001) and MVD (r = -0.44, p = 0.008) on pathologic slides. The ADC values were not significantly correlated with tumor cellularity, VEGF expression, or tumor volume in high-grade prostate cancer tissues. CONCLUSION: In the xenografted prostate cancer model, the ADC values of the solid portion of the tumors are significantly correlated with tumor necrosis and MVD of the pathologic specimens. The ADC values may be utilized as surrogate markers for the noninvasive assessment of tumor necrosis and MVD in high-grade prostate cancer.

Costs during the first five years following cancer diagnosis in Korea.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the total medical costs incurred during the 5 years following a cancer diagnosis and annual medical use status for the six most prevalent cancers in Korea. METHODS: From January 1 to December 31, 2006, new patients registered with the six most prevalent cancers (stomach, liver, lung, breast, colon, and thyroid) were randomly selected from the Korea Central Cancer Registry, with 30% of patients being drawn from each cancer group. For the selected patients, cost data were generated using National Health Insurance claims data from the time of cancer diagnosis in 2006 to December 31, 2010. The total number of patients selected was 28,509. Five-year total medical costs by tumor site and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage at the time of diagnosis, and annual total medical costs from diagnosis, were estimated. All costs were calculated as per-patient net costs. RESULTS: Mean 5-year net costs per patient varied widely, from $5,647 for thyroid cancer to $20,217 for lung cancer. Advanced stage at diagnosis was associated with a 1.8-2.5-fold higher total cost, and the total medical cost was highest during the first year following diagnosis and decreased by the third or fourth year. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of cancer care were substantial and varied by tumor site, annual phase, and stage at diagnosis. This indicates the need for increased prevention, earlier diagnosis, and new therapies that may assist in reducing medical costs.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of musculoskeletal lesions at 3 T with metabolite quantification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) at 3 T with metabolite quantification is helpful for characterizing musculoskeletal lesions and to reveal whether the concentration of choline is correlated with the pathologic degree of malignancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three-tesla MR images and proton MRS data from 27 consecutive patients with surgically proven musculoskeletal lesions were retrospectively analyzed. We analyzed the presence of choline peaks of malignant tumors according to the degree of malignancies, and we compared them with those of benign lesions. The concentrations of choline calculated by means of the linear combination of model spectra were also compared with respect to the degree of malignancy in each group. RESULTS: The proton MRS had an overall sensitivity of 68.4%, specificity of 87.5%, positive predictive value of 92.3%, and negative predictive value of 53.8% for the detection of choline compounds. The positive detection rate for choline compounds in the primary malignancy group (53.8%) was lower than that of the metastasis group (100%). All false-negative results were shown in the Grade 1 primary malignancy group. There was no difference in the concentration of choline compounds with respect to the pathologic degree of differentiation. CONCLUSION: MR spectroscopy at 3 T with metabolite quantification is a helpful method that shows high specificity (87.5%) in characterizing musculoskeletal lesions, even though its sensitivity (68.4%) is relatively low. Grade 1 primary malignancies of bone and soft tissue tumor have a high potential for producing false-negative results.

Transient pulmonary eosinophilia incidentally found on low-dose computed tomography: findings in 40 individuals.

PURPOSE: To describe computed tomography (CT) findings of transient pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) incidentally found on low-dose CT (LDCT) and to identify suggestive CT features helpful in initial diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed LDCT scans in 40 individuals who met criteria for having TPE. There were 35 men and 5 women (age range, 32-62 years; mean, 48.5 +/- 9 years). Initial LDCT scans were assessed as either (a) nodules, further characterized as either solid, solid associated with a halo of ground-glass attenuation, or pure ground-glass lesions as well as by number, size, and location or (b) ill-defined foci of parenchymal consolidation. RESULTS: A range of focal parenchymal abnormalities (n = 78) were identified-both single (48%) and multiple (52%). Most of these proved to be either solid nodules with discrete ground-glass halos (72%), or poorly defined solid nodules exhibiting a variety of differing morphologies (24%). Ill-defined foci of consolidation were noted in 3 cases (4%). The lesions were predominantly located in the lower lung zone (73%) with peripheral distribution (92%). CONCLUSIONS: Transient pulmonary eosinophilia most often manifests as solid nodules with associated ground-glass halos. Awareness of TPE should serve to limit the number of mistaken diagnoses of early lung cancer.

Bronchial artery and systemic artery embolization in the management of primary lung cancer patients with hemoptysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of arterial embolization in lung cancer patients with hemoptysis. METHODS: Nineteen primary lung cancer patients with hemoptysis underwent bronchial artery and systemic artery embolization from April 2002 to March 2005. There were 17 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 59 years. Histologic analysis revealed squamous cell carcinoma in 10 patients and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in 9 patients. The amount of hemoptysis was bleeding of 25-50 ml within 24 hr in 8 patients, recurrent blood-tinged sputum in 6, and bleeding of 100 ml or more per 24 hr in 5. Embolization was done with a superselective technique using a microcatheter and polyvinyl alcohol particles to occlude the affected vessels. RESULTS: Arterial embolization was technically successful in all patients and clinically successful in 15 patients (79%). The average number of arteries embolized was 1.2. Bronchial arteriography revealed staining (all patients), dilatation of the artery or hypervascularity (10 patients), and bronchopulmonary shunt (6 patients). The recurrence rate was 33% (5/15) and 11 patients were alive with a mean follow-up time of 148 days (30-349 days). CONCLUSION: Arterial embolotherapy for hemoptysis in patients with primary lung cancer is an effective, safe therapeutic modality despite the fact the vascular changes are subtle on angiography.

Postbiopsy arterioportal fistula in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical significance in transarterial chemoembolization.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine, retrospectively, the frequency of postbiopsy arterioportal fistula in hepatocellular carcinoma and its significance in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma were referred for TACE. The control population comprised 161 patients referred during the same period who underwent TACE without biopsy. We determined that an arterioportal fistula was present by opacification of the portal vein during the arterial phase of angiography or by opacification with iodized oil during TACE. We considered hepatocellular carcinoma to be responsive to TACE when the sum of iodized oil retention in the tumor and a low-attenuation area on CT was greater than 50% of tumor size. We compared the frequency of arterioportal fistula and the rate of tumor response to TACE in both groups and also evaluated possible factors associated with postbiopsy arterioportal fistula, such as age, sex, Child-Pugh score, tumor size, average number of needle passes, average distance that the needle traversed normal liver before reaching the mass, and average interval between biopsy and TACE. RESULTS: Twenty-three (56.1%) of 41 patients in the biopsy group and 19 (11.8%) of 161 patients in the control group had an arterioportal fistula (p < 0.001). The rate of tumor response to TACE was 87.8% (36/41) in the biopsy group and 87.0% (140/161) in the control group (p = 0.5932). Of the possible related factors, only tumor size correlated negatively with the occurrence of arterioportal fistula. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous liver biopsy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients apparently increases the rate of arterioportal fistula but does not seem to affect the rate of tumor response to TACE.

CT findings of clear cell carcinoma of the ovary.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to retrospectively evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with pathologically proved clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. METHODS: CT scans of seven patients (age range, 28-79 years; mean age, 46 years) with nine lesions of histologically proved primary ovarian clear cell carcinoma of the ovary were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. Scans were evaluated for the laterality, size, mass characteristic, margin, attenuation of the cystic portion, internal architecture, and presence of lumen protruding mass. RESULTS: Tumors were unilateral in five patients. The average size of the tumors was 8.6 cm (range, 2.6-12.1 cm). All the masses showed mainly cystic appearance. All nine masses had smooth margin. Average attenuation of the cystic portion of the masses was 24.2 HU (Hounsfield unit) (range, 13-34 HU). Tumors usually appeared as unilocular cystic mass (n=6). Lumen protruding masses appeared in seven tumors. CONCLUSION: On CT scans, primary ovarian clear cell carcinomas appeared as large unilocular, mainly cystic, smooth marginated mass with lumen protruding solid portion and high-attenuated cystic portion.

Computed tomography findings of ovarian metastases from colon cancer: comparison with primary malignant ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The computed tomography (CT) findings of ovarian metastases from colon cancer were evaluated and were compared with those of primary malignant ovarian tumors. METHODS: Sixteen patients with 21 masses from colon cancer and 20 patients with 31 primary malignant ovarian tumors were included in this study. The CT findings (laterality, size, margin, shape, mass characteristic, strong enhancement of cyst wall, enhancement of solid portion, amount of ascites, peritoneal seeding, lymph node enlargement, and metastasis) and ages of the patients in both groups were compared. Univariate analysis, the Pearson chi test, and the independent-samples t test were used to distinguish them. RESULTS: A smooth margin of the tumor (odds ratio=24.3, 95% confidence interval: 2.9-204.2) and cystic nature of the mass (Pearson chi=12.96, P=0.005) were strong predictors of ovarian metastasis from colon cancer. CONCLUSION: Ovarian metastases from colon cancer show a smooth margin and more cystic nature on CT compared with primary malignant ovarian tumors.