A 63-year-old woman was referred to a breast surgeon with a breast mass discovered incidentally during follow-up study after colon cancer surgery. Invasive adenocarcinoma was revealed on core needle biopsy. Wide excision of the breast including the tumor was performed. On standard histological examination the tumor showed features of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The immunohistochemistry study revealed positive results for cytokeratin (CK)20 and CDX2, but negative for CK7. These are typical characteristics for colon cancer. Considering her history of subtotal colectomy for sigmoid colon cancer, it is presumable that the mass in the breast was of colonic origin, and it was an extremely rare case of metastasis to the breast from primary colorectal neoplasm. Although the instance is rare, clinicians should keep the possibility of breast metastasis from colorectal cancer in mind for early and correct diagnosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Breast ; Colectomy ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sigmoid Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Cholecystitis ; Emphysematous Cholecystitis* ; Pneumoperitoneum*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term survival and prognostic factors for radio-frequency ablation (RFA) in colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 colorectal liver metastases patients who underwent RFA between 2004 and 2008. We analyzed survival after RFA and prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, 23 patients were male and 12 were female. Their mean age was 62.40 +/- 12.52 years. Mean overall survival was 38.8 +/- 4.6 months, and mean progression free survival was 19.9 +/- 3.4 months. Three- and 5-year overall survival rates were 42.7 +/- 0.1% and 26.0 +/- 0.1%, respectively. Three- and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 19.6 +/- 0.1% and 4.9 +/- 0.04%, respectively. Overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly improved in male and in patients with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) < or = 100 ng/mL, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 < or = 100 ng/mL, absence of extrahepatic disease, and a unilobar hepatic lesion. In addition, progression-free survival was improved in patients with a solitary hepatic lesion. On the multivariate analysis, significant survival factors were the absence of extrahepatic disease and the presence of a unilobar hepatic lesion. CONCLUSION: RFA for colorectal liver metastases is an effective treatment option in male patients and in patients with CEA or CA19-9 < or = 100, absence of extrahepatic disease, a solitary hepatic lesion, and a unilobar hepatic lesion.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVES: In the metastatic process, interactions between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the extracellular matrix or surrounding cells are required. β1-integrin may mediate these interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether β1-integrin is associated with the detection of CTCs in colorectal cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with colorectal cancer (experimental group) and 30 patients with benign diseases (control group). Blood samples were obtained from each group, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA for CTCs marker and β1-integrin mRNA levels were estimated by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: CEA mRNA was detected more frequently in colorectal cancer patients than in control patients (P=0.008). CEA mRNA was significantly reduced after surgery in the colorectal cancer patients (P=0.032). β1-integrin mRNA was detected more in colorectal cancer patients than in the patients with benign diseases (P<0.001). In colorectal cancer patients, expression of β1-integrin mRNA was detected more for advanced-stage cancer than for early-stage cancer (P=0.033) and was significantly decreased after surgery (P<0.001). In addition, expression of β1-integrin mRNA was significantly associated with that of CEA mRNA in colorectal cancer patients (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, β1-integrin is a potential prognostic factor following surgical resection in colorectal cancer patients. β1-integrin may be a candidate for use as a marker for early detection of micrometastatic tumor cells and for monitoring the therapeutic response in colorectal cancer patients.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Case-Control Studies* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; Integrins ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: In the metastatic process, interactions between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the extracellular matrix or surrounding cells are required. beta1-Integrin may mediate these interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether beta1-integrin is associated with the detection of CTCs in colorectal cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with colorectal cancer (experimental group) and 30 patients with benign diseases (control group). Blood samples were obtained from each group, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA for CTCs marker and beta1-integrin mRNA levels were estimated by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the results were compared between the two groups. In the experimental group, preoperative results were compared with postoperative results for each marker. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the expressions of beta1-integrin and CEA. RESULTS: CEA mRNA was detected more frequently in colorectal cancer patients than in control patients (P = 0.008). CEA mRNA was significantly reduced after surgery in the colorectal cancer patients (P = 0.032). beta1-Integrin mRNA was detected more in colorectal cancer patients than in the patients with benign diseases (P < 0.001). In colorectal cancer patients, expression of beta1-integrin mRNA was detected more for advanced-stage cancer than for early-stage cancer (P = 0.033) and was significantly decreased after surgery (P < 0.001). In addition, expression of beta1-integrin mRNA was significantly associated with that of CEA mRNA in colorectal cancer patients (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, beta1-integrin is a potential factor for forming a prognosis following surgical resection in colorectal cancer patients. beta1-Integrin may be a candidate for use as a marker for early detection of micrometastatic tumor cells and for monitoring the therapeutic response in colorectal cancer patients.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Case-Control Studies* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVES: The EGFR plays an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of colorectal cancer, and leads to the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. The use of anti-EGFR-targeted therapy has increased for patients with colorectal cancer, but patients with EGFR mutations will be resistant to anti-EGFR-targeted therapy. The identification of gene mutations is critical in cancer treatment; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the incidences of EGFR mutations in colorectal cancer patients in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed 58 colorectal cancer patients who underwent operations between 2003 and 2006, retrospectively. We analyzed their EGFR mutations in 4 loci by DNA sequencing. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the presence of EGFR mutation and patients' clinicopathologic features. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients, 35 patients were male and 23 were female. Their mean age was 63.28+/-11.18 years. Two patients (3.45%) were diagnosed as stage Tis, 7 patients (12.07%) had stage I, 24 patients (41.38%) had stage II, 20 patients (34.48%) had stage III, and 5 patients (8.62%) had stage IV. As a result of mutational analysis, EGFR mutations on exon 20 were detected in 13 patients (22.41%, G-->A transitions). EGFR mutations on exon 18, 19 and 21 were not detected. EGFR mutation increased in the earlier stage and the absence of lymph node metastasis (P=0.028). CONCLUSION: The incidence of EGFR mutation in Korean colorectal cancer patients is 22.41%. In addition, EGFR mutation significantly increased in the earlier stage and the absence of lymph node metastasis.
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the Alvarado score and to determine cut-off values of Alvarado score according to age for deciding on the options for patients with suspected appendicitis. METHODS: From October 2008 to January 2009, we prospectively reviewed 152 patients with suspected appendicitis. The patients were classified into adults and children groups. We then determined cut-off values of the Alvarado score by analyzing each score's sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Of the 147 patients, 96 patients were adults and 51 were children. The mean Alvarado score for adults and children were 6.08+/-1.85, and 6.69+/-1.43 in appendicitis and 4.32+/-2.02, and 4.60+/-1.81 in non-appendicitis, respectively. In adults, the sensitivity of the Alvarado scores 7 or higher for appendicitis was 66.2%, and the specificity was 67.7%. And the sensitivity of the Alvarado scores 4 or lower for non-appendicitis was 58.1%, and the specificity was 81.5%. In children, the sensitivity of the Alvarado scores 7 or higher for appendicitis was 80.8%, and the specificity was 68.0%. And the sensitivity of the Alvarado scores 4 or lower for non-appendicitis was 52.0%, and the specificity was 92.3%. CONCLUSION: The cut-off values for Alvarado score were not different according to age of the patient. If the Alvarado score is 7 or higher, surgical management is recommended, and if the Alvarado score is 4 or lower, observation without CT or US is recommended. In equivocal appendicitis as defined by the Alvarado scores 5 to 6, adjunctive CT or US are recommended to confirm appendicitis.
Adult ; Appendicitis ; Child ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Cancer prevention by vegetable diet has received considerable attention in recent years. In the past these attributes of vegetables were based more on beliefs than on scientific evidences. But over the past few decades many studies have been performed about that. Cancer preventive components of many vegetables have been studied in experimental carcinogenesis models. These studies have reported on these components influence carcinogenesis during initiation and promotion phases of cancer development. Also, epidemiological studies and clinical trials have reported cancer preventive effects of vegetables. However, there is no comprehensive summary of cancer preventive effects with the types of vegetables. In this review, we classified the vegetables and described the mechanism of action of active components of vegetables, experimental studies, and clinical trials. Results revealed a negative correlation between consumption of vegetables and cancer risk. But we can't still conclude the effects of vegetables yet, so further studies would be necessary for final conclusion.
Diet ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of colorectal cancer and leads to the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. The use of anti-EGFR-targeted therapy has increased for patients with colorectal cancer, but patients with EGFR mutations will be resistant to anti-EGFR-targeted therapy. The identification of gene mutations is critical in cancer treatment; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the incidences of EGFR mutations in colorectal cancer patients in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 58 colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2006. We analyzed their EGFR mutations in four loci by DNA sequencing. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the presence of EGFR mutation and patients' clinicopathologic features. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients, 35 patients were male and 23 were female. Their mean age was 63.28 +/- 11.18 years. Two patients (3.45%) were diagnosed as stage Tis, 7 patients (12.07%) as stage I, 24 patients (41.38%) as stage II, 20 patients (34.48%) as stage III, and 5 patients (8.62%) as stage IV. As a result of mutational analysis, EGFR mutations on exon 20 were detected in 13 patients (22.41%, G-->A transitions). No EGFR mutations were detected on exons 18, 19, and 21. EGFR mutation was increased in the earlier stage and in the absence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The incidence of EGFR mutation in Korean colorectal cancer patients is 22.41%. In addition, EGFR mutation was significantly increased in the earlier stage and in the absence of lymph node metastasis.
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Retrospective Studies ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

No abstract available.
Teratoma