We reviewed a total of 36 cases of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors during a period of ten and a half years at Seoul National University Hospital, looking at their histologic and ultrastructural features, as well as immunohistochemical results, then we correlated these with location. The primary sites of carcinoid tumors were rectum(39%), stomach(25%), appendix(22%), small intestine(8%) and colon(6%), in order of frequency. The predominant histologic types by organ were mixed and solid(A) types in all location, the solid type(type A) in the stomach, and tubular type(type C) in the rectum. Six out of 8 cases of appendiceal carcinoid were type A and the other two cases were mucinous carcinoid. Tubular adenoma or adenocarcinoma was associated with 36% of the rectal carcinoids, with one case of carcinoid in the small intestine, and one(11%) of the gastric carcinoids was found near an adenocarcinoma. Metastasis was found in one case of ileal carcinoid(100%), one case of cecal carcinoid, 3 of gastric carcinoid(33%) and 2 of rectal carcinoid(14%). Primary tumor size ranged from 1 to 7 cm. Tumor necrosis and endolymphatic tumor emboli were found in 57% and 43% of the metastatic carcinoids, respectively. PCNA index showed a borderline significant difference between metastatic and nonmetastatic groups(P value=0.063). The low prevalence of appendiceal carcinoid and the relatively high prevalence of gastric-rectal carcinoid may reflect a low chance of incidental appendectomy and frequent detection of gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Association of the hepatoid and choriocarcinomatous components in adenocarcinoma of the stomach is extremely unusual and raises a possibility of new approach understand the histogenesis of gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma. This paper describes a Borrmann type III adenocarcinoma of the stomach with both choriocarcinomatous and hepatoid components in composite tumor pattern in a 50-year-old man. Tubular arrangement of differentiated embryonalcarcinoma was encountered in choricarcinomatous and hepatoid areas, which showed strong immunoreactivity to beta-HCG and AFP, respectively. The findings suggest that gastric adenocarcinoma may have a potential of differentiation toward embryonal carcinoma. from which both choriocarcinoma and hepatoid variant of gastric adenocarcinoma may develop by retrodifferentiation.
Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy is known to reduce cardiovascular mortality, the mechanism is not clear yet. Furthermore, the effect of estrogen on vascular tonus is reportedly variable according to the animal models, vascular beds and agonists used. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 12 week-old, 18 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 18 normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Rats were divided into three groups according to the dose of 17beta-estradiol (E 2 ) pellets implanted subcutaneously two weeks after ovariectomy: control (no implantation), low-dose (0.5 mg) and high-dose (5 mg) E 2 replacement group. Two weeks after pellet implantation, organ bath experiments were performed using descending thoracic aortae. For endothelium-dependent relaxation, acetylcholine (10(-9) -3x10(-6) M) was cumulatively added into the vessels precontracted with 10(-7) M norepinephrine (NE). For vasoconstrictor responses, cumulative concentration-contraction curves were constructed in quiescent vessels using NE (10(-9) -10(-5) M), U46619 (10(-9) -3x10(-6) M), endothelin-1 (10(-10) -10(-7) M). In addition, contraction to angiotensin II (10(-7) M) was also obtained. Serum 17beta-estradiol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff method in some SHRs before ovariectomy and after placebo/E 2 replacement. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired in WKY treated with 5 mg E 2 (pIC 50 : control vs 5mg E 2 : 7.75+/-0.13 vs 7.27+/-0.16: n=6: p<0.05). No significant effect was noted in SHR. Contraction to angiotensin II was inhibited by low-dose E 2 in WKY and high-dose E 2 in SHR (% of the contraction to 60 mM KCl: WKY: control vs 0.5 mg E 2 : 39+/-5 vs 25+/-2: SHR: control vs 5 mg E 2 : 34+/-4 vs 22+/-2: n=6 and p<0.05 in WKY and SHR). In contrast, NE-induced contraction was enhanced by E 2 replacement (both low- and high-dose) in WKY and SHR (WKY: control vs 0.5 mg E 2 vs 5 mg E 2 : AUC: 280+/-24 vs 387+/-26 vs 374+/-25: maximal contraction: 137+/-8 vs 166+/-8 vs 162+/-3: pD 2 : 7.63+/-0.11 vs 8.17+/-0.13 vs 8.13+/-0.13: SHR: control vs 0.5 mg E 2 vs 5 mg E 2 : AUC: 265+/-17 vs 349+/-16 vs 406+/-19: maximal contraction: 152+/-6 vs 181+/-9 vs 203+/-16: pD 2 : 7.45+/-0.13 vs 7.91+/-0.08 vs 8.04+/-0.04: n=6 and p<0.05 between control and treated groups in WKY and SHR for all parameters). Contraction to U46619 was enhanced by E 2 replacement in SHR (control vs 0.5 mg E 2 : AUC: 478+/-30 vs 574+/-23: maximal contraction: 181+/-9 vs 230+/-10: n=6: p<0.05 for both parameters). Maximal contractile response to endothelin-1 was also enhanced in SHR (control vs 0.5 mg E 2 vs 5 mg E 2 : maximal contraction: 165+/-7 vs 189+/-7 vs 199+/-8: n=6 and p<0.05 between control and treated groups) but not in WKY. Blood pressure was not different between placebo and E 2- treated SHR (171+/-2 vs 174+/-4 mmHg). CONCLUSION: In WKY, chronic high-dose estrogen replacement impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine.: low-dose estrogen replacement does not affect endothelium-dependent relaxation in SHR and WKY. Estrogen replacement enhances the contraction to most of the contractile agonists tested except angiotensin II in both WKY and SHR. These results suggest that estrogen replacement affect the vascular tonus differently according to the vasoactive substances and/or hormones without significant effect on blood pressure.
15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; Acetylcholine ; Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Area Under Curve ; Baths ; Blood Pressure ; Endothelin-1 ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy* ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Models, Animal ; Mortality ; Norepinephrine ; Ovariectomy ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Relaxation

Pulmonary blastoma is a rare lung tumor resembling fetal lung tissue. Pathologically the tumor can be classified to 2 groups, well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma(WDFA) and biphasic blastoma. WDFA has more favorable prognosis with fewer metastasis at initial presentation and fewer recurrence after treatment. We experienced a case of pulmonary blastoma in 32-year-old female patient. The patient was referred to our hospital because of abnormal mass shadow in right middle lobe. The diagnosis of pulmonary blastoma(WDFA type, Stage I T2NOMO) was confirmed after right middle lobectomy. We followed up 22 months without an evidence of recurrence.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Blastoma* ; Recurrence

Even though the value of computed tomography (CT) used to detect the colon carcinoma with minimal invasion is limited, its usefulnes sin the evaluation of the extent of disease such as hepatic metastasis or distant lymph node invasion has been emphasized. To examine the role of CT in the evaluation of colon carcinoma, CT scans obtained during the past 2 years in 56 patients with surgically proven colon carcinoma were reviewed and the findings correlated with pathologic results. The sensitivity and accuracy of CT for pericolic fat infiltration were 86, 58 and 80% respectively. Those of regional node were 60, 83 and 75% and distant node 67, 100 and 95%. Liver metastases showed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 83, 98, 96% and peritoneal metastases 67, 94 and 89% respectively. CT detected local invasion with fair degree of accuracy but the true value of CT lie in the detection of distant invasions such as liver and distant lymph node metastases thereby leading to preclusion of unnecessary procedures and implementation of appropriate precedures.
Colon* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Unnecessary Procedures

No abstract available.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans

Twenty seven patients with known rectal cancer were evaluated with CT and CT findings were correlated with surgical and pathologic results on the aspect of perirectal fat infiltration and lymph node involvement. The accuracy in assessment of perirectal fat infiltration was 77.8% (21 of 27); sensitivity, 73.3% (11 of 13); specificity, 83.3% (10 of 12). In the detection of lymph node involvement, lymph nodes were divided into five groups according to the arterial teritories. Overall accuracy in the evaluation of lymph node involvement was 86.7%. Accuracy of peritumoral lymph node involvement was 51.9% (14 of 27); sensitivity, 42.9%(9 of 21); specificity 83.3% (5 of 6). Accuracy of internal iliac lymph node involvement was 88.9% (24 of 27); sensitivity, 85.7% (6 of 7); specificity, 90.0% (18 of 20). Of the common and external iliac lymph node, accuracy was 100% (27 of 27); sensitivity, 100% (2 of 2); specificity, 100% (25 of 25). Of the aortic bifurcation and mid sacral lymph node, accuracy was 92.6% (25 of 27); sensitivity, 50% (2 of 4); specificity, 100% (23 of 23). In regard to the inferior mesenteric lymph node, no lymphadenopathy was found on CT and pathologic results. In conclusion, CT has limited value in evaluating rectal cancer but with the satisfactory outcome in assessment of perirectal fat infiltration and lymph node, involvement except peritumoral node preoperative CT is useful in the evaluation of rectal cancer.
Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Background/Aims: The tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors infliximab and adalimumab are standard treatments for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). However, there has been no headto-head comparison of treatment efficacy and outcomes between the two agents. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and long-term outcomes of infliximab versus adalimumab treatment in biologic-naïve patients with UC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 113 biologic-naïve patients with UC who were treated between September 2012 and December 2017 (the infliximab group [n=83] and the adalimumab group [n=30]). We compared remission and response rates between these groups at 8 and 52 weeks. We used Kaplan-Meier curves to compare long-term outcomes, and logistic regression analysis and Cox-proportional hazard regression models to assess factors affecting outcomes. Results: The median follow-up duration was 25.8 months. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rate of clinical remission or clinical response at 8 or 52 weeks. Multivariate analyses also showed that long-term outcomes were not significantly different (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 2.56; p=0.208). An elevated C-reactive protein level (greater than 5 mg/L) was a significant predictive factor for poor outcomes (adjusted HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.37 to 3.70; p=0.001). During the follow-up period, the rates of adverse event were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.441). Conclusions In our study, infliximab and adalimumab had similar treatment efficacy and longterm outcomes in biologic-naïve patients with moderate to severe UC.

PURPOSE: Free radicals are defined as any species capable of independent existence that contains one or more unpaired electrons and they have the effects on carcinogenesis and tumor progression by causing mutations on genetic structure or suppressing repair of mutated DNA. This study was aimed to identify changes of antioxidant capacity in carcinogenesis and tumor progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We studied the level of serum antioxidant capacity using ABTS technique for 34 CRC patients who were operated between July 1997 and January 1998 at department of surgery, Taegu Catholic Medical Center and compared with 38 persons who had normal value of liver function during the same period. RESULTS: CRC patients showed decreased serum antioxidant capacity level compared to that of control group (CRC male 1.23 0.15 mmol/L, CRC female 1.11 0.13 mmol/L, control male 1.40 0.15, control female 1.35 0.11 mmol/L). Changes of antioxidant capacity levels were not correlated with stages, even though the marginal difference between T-stages (T1/2 1.23 0.10 mmol/L, T3/4 1.16 0.15 mmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Free radicals may be the causative agent of colorectal carcinogenesis and can be associated with early phase of carcinogenesis rather than tumor progression.
Carcinogenesis ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Daegu ; DNA ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Genetic Structures ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: Appropriate referral without failure, one af important health care services provided by primary care physicians, is very helpful not only to patients but also to the referring physiciasn. This study was performed to observe the rate of referral failure and to evaluate the factars related to referral failure. METHODS: From June 10 to October 31, 1997, all referrah made in the department of family practice in the Samsung Medical Center were studied. Structured questionnaires inquiring of referral initiator, pbysicians view af dinical severity and referral necessity, and tbe reason for referral were completed by referring physician whenever each referral was made. On the 60th day after referrals were initiated medical records of the referred patients were reviewed to obtain the information on the demographic characteristics of the patients referred, the contents of referral, and the patient's attendance the specialist clinic after referraL Each referral was audited by five family physicians working at the Samsung Medical Center to examine the appropriateness of the time when the referral was initiated. The patients who did not attend at specialist dinic to which they were referred to were telephoned to ask about the reasons for the referral failure. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to evalute the factors related to referral failure. RESULTS: During the study period, total of 477 referrals were made among 9,384 encounters and the referral rate was 5.08%. Fifty-eight patients failed to compkte the referral process within predetermined periad and the rate of referral failure was 12.16%. The risk of referral failure was significantly low in cases whose referral time was assessed as appropriate(odds ratio=0.53). Female was a significant increasing the risk of referral failure(odds ratio=1.91). Being too busy(24.14%) was the most common reason for referral failure. Other reasons induded improverment or resolution af syrnptoms (12.06%), information on the referral was not given (6.9%) and too great a distance the between hospital and the patients home (6.9%). Four patients forgot to attend the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable proportion of patients being referred did not complete the referral process. Timely referral and sufficient discussion between pbysician and patient being referred seems to be necessary to prevent referral failure.
Delivery of Health Care ; Family Practice ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Outpatients* ; Patient Dropouts ; Physicians, Family ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Referral and Consultation* ; Specialization ; Surveys and Questionnaires