Squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is rare. It is considered to be associated with benign cystic teratoma, Brenner tumor and ovarian endometriosis which undergo malignant degeneration in their epithelial layers. Although ovarian metastasis from advanced cervical cancer is well known, however, ovarian metastasis from microinvasive cervical cancer is extremely rare. Because there are few reports about squmaous cell carcinom of the ovary, the pathogenesis is still not well known. Recently we experienced a case of squamous cell carcinoma in ovary presenting 109 months after surgical therapy of a microinvasive cervical cancer. We report this case with a brief review of literature and possible pathogenesis.
Brenner Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary* ; Teratoma ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is rare. It is considered to be associated with benign cystic teratoma, Brenner tumor and ovarian endometriosis which undergo malignant degeneration in their epithelial layers. Although ovarian metastasis from advanced cervical cancer is well known, however, ovarian metastasis from microinvasive cervical cancer is extremely rare. Because there are few reports about squmaous cell carcinom of the ovary, the pathogenesis is still not well known. Recently we experienced a case of squamous cell carcinoma in ovary presenting 109 months after surgical therapy of a microinvasive cervical cancer. We report this case with a brief review of literature and possible pathogenesis.
Brenner Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary* ; Teratoma ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

A 55-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest discomfort, dysphagia and severe pain on swallowing. Esophageal manometry identified the lower esophageal sphincter as having no response to swallow. Barium swallow showed typical esophagograms of double barrelled esophagus or mucosal stripe. An endoscopic examination revealed an appearance as if an esophago-tracheal fistula had been made at the level of the upper thoracic esophagus. Also, two slitlike mucosal tears were seen on the lower esophagus. Subsequent fasting and total parenteral nutrition for several weeks failed to bring about any improvement in his symptoms. So, as a treatment, primary closure of the upper opening of the false channel was performed under general anesthesia. Soon after the surgical procedure, the patients symptoms disappeared except for mild dysphagia. He was discharged after oral intake had been judiciously commenced with fluids and soft diets. During his follow-up in the out-patient department, he was examined and found to have no specific symptoms including fever or dysphagia. Moreover, there was great improvement from the massive dissection of the esophagus on esophagogram.
Anesthesia, General ; Barium ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diet ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagus* ; Fasting ; Fever ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are two compounds with reproducible activity against advanced pancreatic carcinomas. To evaluate the activity and feasibility of this combination chemotherapy, a multi-institutional phase II study was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients (male: female 15: 5, median age: 60.5 years), with histologically verified locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic carcinomas, were enrolled between April 2000 and March 2002. Gemcitabine was administered by intravenous injection at the doses of 1, 000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15, and 5-FU 800 mg/m2/day, was given by continuous intravenous infusion on days 1~5. The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. The clinical benefit response (CBR) was a composite of the pain, Karnofsky performance status and body weight change measurement. RESULTS: Nineteen of the twenty patients were assessable for response. The median follow-up duration was 4.6 months (0.4~15.2 months). Five patients achieved a partial response and eight a stable disease. The overall response rate was 25.0%. The CBR was assessable in 12 patients. The overall CBR was 41.7% (5/12). The median survival of all the patients was 8.0 months. Grade 3~4 toxicities included neutropenia (9.3%) and thrombocytopenia (5.3%). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that gemcitabine, combined with infusional 5-FU, was well tolerated, and produced modest antitumor activity and symptomatic relief in advanced pancreatic cancer patients.
Body Weight Changes ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Fluorouracil* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Injections, Intravenous ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Neutropenia ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Thrombocytopenia

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.