1.Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders in South Korea: A Nationwide, Multi-Center, Retrospective, Clinical, and Prognostic Study
Woo Jin LEE ; Sook Jung YUN ; Joon Min JUNG ; Joo Yeon KO ; Kwang Ho KIM ; Dong Hyun KIM ; Myung Hwa KIM ; You Chan KIM ; Jung Eun KIM ; Chan-Ho NA ; Je-Ho MUN ; Jong Bin PARK ; Ji-Hye PARK ; Hai-Jin PARK ; Dong Hoon SHIN ; Jeonghyun SHIN ; Sang Ho OH ; Seok-Kweon YUN ; Dongyoun LEE ; Seok-Jong LEE ; Seung Ho LEE ; Young Bok LEE ; Soyun CHO ; Sooyeon CHOI ; Jae Eun CHOI ; Mi Woo LEE ; On behalf of The Korean Society of Dermatopathology
Annals of Dermatology 2025;37(2):75-85
Background:
Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (pcCD30-LPDs) are a diseases with various clinical and prognostic characteristics.
Objective:
Increasing our knowledge of the clinical characteristics of pcCD30-LPDs and identifying potential prognostic variables in an Asian population.
Methods:
Clinicopathological features and survival data of pcCD30-LPD cases obtained from 22 hospitals in South Korea were examined.
Results:
A total of 413 cases of pcCD30-LPDs (lymphomatoid papulosis [LYP], n=237; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma [C-ALCL], n=176) were included. Ninety percent of LYP patients and roughly 50% of C-ALCL patients presented with multiple skin lesions. Both LYP and C-ALCL affected the lower limbs most frequently. Multiplicity and advanced T stage of LYP lesions were associated with a chronic course longer than 6 months. Clinical morphology with patch lesions and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were significantly associated with LPDs during follow-up in LYP patients. Extracutaneous involvement of C-ALCL occurred in 13.2% of patients. Lesions larger than 5 cm and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a poor prognosis in C-ALCL. The survival of patients with C-ALCL was unaffected by the anatomical locations of skin lesions or other pathological factors.
Conclusion
The multiplicity or size of skin lesions was associated with a chronic course of LYP and survival among patients with C-ALCL.
2.Increased bleeding tendency in liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease
Mun Chae CHOI ; Eun-Ki MIN ; Deok-Gie KIM ; Jae Geun LEE ; Dae Hoon HAN ; Gi Hong CHOI ; Jin Sub CHOI ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Sinyoung KIM ; Dong Jin JOO
Annals of Liver Transplantation 2025;5(2):134-141
Background:
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) includes a wide clinical spectrum from acute alcoholic hepatitis to severe cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Until now, there has been no report revealing the bleeding tendency of ALD compared to other diseases in liver transplantation (LT). Thus, we analyzed blood loss and transfusion amounts during operation according to the etiologies of liver disease and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score.
Methods:
Out of 874 recipients who underwent LT, a total of 146 patients were excluded by our exclusion criteria. We compared 728 recipients’ baseline characteristics, operation time, blood loss, and transfusion amounts between ALD and nonALD according to MELD score.
Results:
The number of patients in the ALD group was 130 (17.9%), and 598 (82.1%) in the non-ALD group. The ALD group showed younger age, higher MELD score, and a higher proportion of deceased donor LT than the non-ALD group. Intraoperative blood loss and transfusions of red blood cells (RBCs), fresh frozen plasma, and platelets were significantly higher in the ALD group. When stratified by MELD score (cut-off: 20), ALD patients in both high and low MELD subgroups demonstrated greater blood loss and RBC transfusion requirements, even when international normalized ratio and platelet counts were similar. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, ALD was a significant risk factor for massive transfusion (odds ratio 1.813, 95% confidence interval 1.158–2.840, p=0.009).
Conclusion
The ALD group showed increased bleeding tendency than the non-ALD group during LT, irrespective of MELD score. This suggests that transplant surgeons should anticipate greater blood loss and ensure adequate transfusion resources during LT for ALD patients.
3.Evaluating a 3D-printed biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting stent for biliary stricture management after liver transplantation: An in vivo porcine study
Jiyoung KIM ; YoungRok CHOI ; Joon Koo HAN ; Jae Hyun KIM ; Dong-Heon HA ; Eui Soo HAN ; Jiwon KOH ; Jae-Yoon KIM ; Jaewon LEE ; Hyun Hwa CHOI ; Su young HONG ; Jeong-Moo LEE ; Suk Kyun HONG ; Kwang-Woong LEE
Annals of Liver Transplantation 2025;5(2):89-97
Background:
Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard treatment for end-stage liver disease; however, it can lead to biliary strictures in 25%–30% of cases. We aimed to develop a biodegradable stent loaded with paclitaxel that could be inserted during surgery without requiring removal. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of this stent using a porcine model.
Methods:
Fourteen pigs underwent simulated ischemic injury during LT, and a biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting stent was inserted after duct-to-duct anastomosis.Pigs were divided into four groups: no stent (n=3), bare stent (n=3), 300 µg paclitaxel stent (n=4), and 900 µg paclitaxel stent (n=4). After 3 months of follow-up, autopsies were conducted to obtain common bile duct tissue samples, and inflammation and fibrosis thicknesses were assessed under a microscope.
Results:
Most tissues had resolved the inflammatory reactions by the 3-month mark. The thinnest fibrosis thickness was observed in the 900 µg group (359.08±167.23 µm); however, no statistical significance was observed.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated the safety of paclitaxel-eluting biodegradable biliary stents and their positive effects on fibrosis in an ischemic bile duct porcine model. This biodegradable stent represents a potential approach for overcoming the complications associated with biliary strictures after LT.
4.Association of Age, Sex and Education With Access to the Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Yoona KO ; Beom Joon KIM ; Youngran KIM ; Jong-Moo PARK ; Kyusik KANG ; Jae Guk KIM ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Tai Hwan PARK ; Kyungbok LEE ; Jun LEE ; Keun-Sik HONG ; Byung-Chul LEE ; Kyung-Ho YU ; Dong-Eog KIM ; Joon-Tae KIM ; Jay Chol CHOI ; Jee Hyun KWON ; Wook-Joo KIM ; Kyu Sun YUM ; Sung-Il SOHN ; Hyungjong PARK ; Sang-Hwa LEE ; Kwang-Yeol PARK ; Chi Kyung KIM ; Sung Hyuk HEO ; Moon-Ku HAN ; Anjail Z. SHARRIEF ; Sunil A. SHETH ; Hee-Joon BAE ;
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(13):e49-
Background:
Barriers to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in South Korea remain incompletely characterized. We analyze a nationwide prospective cohort to determine patient-level features associated with delayed presentation and non-treatment of potential IVT-eligible patients.
Methods:
We identified consecutive patients with AIS from 01/2011 to 08/2023 from a multicenter and prospective acute stroke registry in Korea. Patients were defined as IVT candidates if they presented within 4.5 hours from the last known well, had no lab evidence of coagulopathy, and had National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥ 4. Multivariable generalized linear mixed regression models were used to investigate the associations between their characteristics and the IVT candidates or the use of IVT among the candidates.
Results:
Among 84,103 AIS patients, 41.0% were female, with a mean age of 69 ± 13 years and presentation NIHSS of 4 [interquartile range, 1–8]. Out of these patients, 13,757 (16.4%) were eligible for IVT, of whom 8,179 (59.5%) received IVT. Female sex (adjusted risk ratio [RR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86–0.94) and lower years of education (adjusted RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.97 for 0–3 years, compared to ≥ 13 years) were associated with a decreased likelihood of presenting as eligible for IVT after AIS; meanwhile, young age (adjusted RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01–1.24 for ≤ 44 years, compared to 75–84 years) was associated with an increased likelihood of being an IVT candidate. Among those who were eligible for IVT, only age was significantly associated with the use of IVT (adjusted RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.16 for age 65–74 and adjusted RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76–0.90 for ≥ 85 years, respectively).
Conclusion
Most patients with AIS present outside IVT eligibility in South Korea, and only 60% of eligible patients were ultimately treated. We identified increased age, female sex and lower education as key features on which to focus interventions for improving IVT utilization.
5.Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy
Junho HYUN ; Jong-Chan YOUN ; Jung Ae HONG ; Darae KIM ; Jae-Joong KIM ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Jin-Jin KIM ; Mi-Hyang JUNG ; In-Cheol KIM ; Sang-Eun LEE ; Jin Joo PARK ; Min-Seok KIM ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hae-Young LEE ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Jon A. KOBASHIGAWA ; Josef STEHLIK ; Jin-Oh CHOI
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(3):e14-
Background:
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical characteristics of 628 patients from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry who received HTx from January 2015 to December 2020. Enrolled recipients were divided into three groups according to age. We also included comorbidities including ambulatory status. Non-ambulatory status was defined as pre-HTx support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical ventilation.
Results:
Of the 628 patients, 195 were < 50 years, 322 were 50–64 years and 111 were ≥ 65years at transplant. Four hundred nine (65.1%) were ambulatory and 219 (34.9%) were nonambulatory. Older recipients tended to have more comorbidities, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and received older donors. Post-HTx survival was significantly lower in older recipients (P = 0.025) and recipients with non-ambulatory status (P < 0.001). However, in contrast to non-ambulatory recipients who showed significant survival differences according to the recipient’s age (P = 0.004), ambulatory recipients showed comparable outcomes (P = 0.465).
Conclusion
Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.
6.Association of Age, Sex and Education With Access to the Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Yoona KO ; Beom Joon KIM ; Youngran KIM ; Jong-Moo PARK ; Kyusik KANG ; Jae Guk KIM ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Tai Hwan PARK ; Kyungbok LEE ; Jun LEE ; Keun-Sik HONG ; Byung-Chul LEE ; Kyung-Ho YU ; Dong-Eog KIM ; Joon-Tae KIM ; Jay Chol CHOI ; Jee Hyun KWON ; Wook-Joo KIM ; Kyu Sun YUM ; Sung-Il SOHN ; Hyungjong PARK ; Sang-Hwa LEE ; Kwang-Yeol PARK ; Chi Kyung KIM ; Sung Hyuk HEO ; Moon-Ku HAN ; Anjail Z. SHARRIEF ; Sunil A. SHETH ; Hee-Joon BAE ;
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(13):e49-
Background:
Barriers to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in South Korea remain incompletely characterized. We analyze a nationwide prospective cohort to determine patient-level features associated with delayed presentation and non-treatment of potential IVT-eligible patients.
Methods:
We identified consecutive patients with AIS from 01/2011 to 08/2023 from a multicenter and prospective acute stroke registry in Korea. Patients were defined as IVT candidates if they presented within 4.5 hours from the last known well, had no lab evidence of coagulopathy, and had National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥ 4. Multivariable generalized linear mixed regression models were used to investigate the associations between their characteristics and the IVT candidates or the use of IVT among the candidates.
Results:
Among 84,103 AIS patients, 41.0% were female, with a mean age of 69 ± 13 years and presentation NIHSS of 4 [interquartile range, 1–8]. Out of these patients, 13,757 (16.4%) were eligible for IVT, of whom 8,179 (59.5%) received IVT. Female sex (adjusted risk ratio [RR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86–0.94) and lower years of education (adjusted RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.97 for 0–3 years, compared to ≥ 13 years) were associated with a decreased likelihood of presenting as eligible for IVT after AIS; meanwhile, young age (adjusted RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01–1.24 for ≤ 44 years, compared to 75–84 years) was associated with an increased likelihood of being an IVT candidate. Among those who were eligible for IVT, only age was significantly associated with the use of IVT (adjusted RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.16 for age 65–74 and adjusted RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76–0.90 for ≥ 85 years, respectively).
Conclusion
Most patients with AIS present outside IVT eligibility in South Korea, and only 60% of eligible patients were ultimately treated. We identified increased age, female sex and lower education as key features on which to focus interventions for improving IVT utilization.
7.Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy
Junho HYUN ; Jong-Chan YOUN ; Jung Ae HONG ; Darae KIM ; Jae-Joong KIM ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Jin-Jin KIM ; Mi-Hyang JUNG ; In-Cheol KIM ; Sang-Eun LEE ; Jin Joo PARK ; Min-Seok KIM ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hae-Young LEE ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Jon A. KOBASHIGAWA ; Josef STEHLIK ; Jin-Oh CHOI
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(3):e14-
Background:
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical characteristics of 628 patients from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry who received HTx from January 2015 to December 2020. Enrolled recipients were divided into three groups according to age. We also included comorbidities including ambulatory status. Non-ambulatory status was defined as pre-HTx support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical ventilation.
Results:
Of the 628 patients, 195 were < 50 years, 322 were 50–64 years and 111 were ≥ 65years at transplant. Four hundred nine (65.1%) were ambulatory and 219 (34.9%) were nonambulatory. Older recipients tended to have more comorbidities, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and received older donors. Post-HTx survival was significantly lower in older recipients (P = 0.025) and recipients with non-ambulatory status (P < 0.001). However, in contrast to non-ambulatory recipients who showed significant survival differences according to the recipient’s age (P = 0.004), ambulatory recipients showed comparable outcomes (P = 0.465).
Conclusion
Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.
8.Erratum: Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023
Dong Jin KIM ; Jeong Ho SONG ; Ji-Hyeon PARK ; Sojung KIM ; Sin Hye PARK ; Cheol Min SHIN ; Yoonjin KWAK ; Kyunghye BANG ; Chung-sik GONG ; Sung Eun OH ; Yoo Min KIM ; Young Suk PARK ; Jeesun KIM ; Ji Eun JUNG ; Mi Ran JUNG ; Bang Wool EOM ; Ki Bum PARK ; Jae Hun CHUNG ; Sang-Il LEE ; Young-Gil SON ; Dae Hoon KIM ; Sang Hyuk SEO ; Sejin LEE ; Won Jun SEO ; Dong Jin PARK ; Yoonhong KIM ; Jin-Jo KIM ; Ki Bum PARK ; In CHO ; Hye Seong AHN ; Sung Jin OH ; Ju-Hee LEE ; Hayemin LEE ; Seong Chan GONG ; Changin CHOI ; Ji-Ho PARK ; Eun Young KIM ; Chang Min LEE ; Jong Hyuk YUN ; Seung Jong OH ; Eunju LEE ; Seong-A JEONG ; Jung-Min BAE ; Jae-Seok MIN ; Hyun-dong CHAE ; Sung Gon KIM ; Daegeun PARK ; Dong Baek KANG ; Hogoon KIM ; Seung Soo LEE ; Sung Il CHOI ; Seong Ho HWANG ; Su-Mi KIM ; Moon Soo LEE ; Sang Hyun KIM ; Sang-Ho JEONG ; Yusung YANG ; Yonghae BAIK ; Sang Soo EOM ; Inho JEONG ; Yoon Ju JUNG ; Jong-Min PARK ; Jin Won LEE ; Jungjai PARK ; Ki Han KIM ; Kyung-Goo LEE ; Jeongyeon LEE ; Seongil OH ; Ji Hun PARK ; Jong Won KIM ;
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2025;25(2):400-402
9.Korean Gastric Cancer AssociationLed Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023
Dong Jin KIM ; Jeong Ho SONG ; Ji-Hyeon PARK ; Sojung KIM ; Sin Hye PARK ; Cheol Min SHIN ; Yoonjin KWAK ; Kyunghye BANG ; Chung-sik GONG ; Sung Eun OH ; Yoo Min KIM ; Young Suk PARK ; Jeesun KIM ; Ji Eun JUNG ; Mi Ran JUNG ; Bang Wool EOM ; Ki Bum PARK ; Jae Hun CHUNG ; Sang-Il LEE ; Young-Gil SON ; Dae Hoon KIM ; Sang Hyuk SEO ; Sejin LEE ; Won Jun SEO ; Dong Jin PARK ; Yoonhong KIM ; Jin-Jo KIM ; Ki Bum PARK ; In CHO ; Hye Seong AHN ; Sung Jin OH ; Ju-Hee LEE ; Hayemin LEE ; Seong Chan GONG ; Changin CHOI ; Ji-Ho PARK ; Eun Young KIM ; Chang Min LEE ; Jong Hyuk YUN ; Seung Jong OH ; Eunju LEE ; Seong-A JEONG ; Jung-Min BAE ; Jae-Seok MIN ; Hyun-dong CHAE ; Sung Gon KIM ; Daegeun PARK ; Dong Baek KANG ; Hogoon KIM ; Seung Soo LEE ; Sung Il CHOI ; Seong Ho HWANG ; Su-Mi KIM ; Moon Soo LEE ; Sang Hyun KIM ; Sang-Ho JEONG ; Yusung YANG ; Yonghae BAIK ; Sang Soo EOM ; Inho JEONG ; Yoon Ju JUNG ; Jong-Min PARK ; Jin Won LEE ; Jungjai PARK ; Ki Han KIM ; Kyung-Goo LEE ; Jeongyeon LEE ; Seongil OH ; Ji Hun PARK ; Jong Won KIM ; The Information Committee of the Korean Gastric Cancer Association
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2025;25(1):115-132
Purpose:
Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023.
Materials and Methods:
The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys.
Results:
Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively.
Conclusions
The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.
10.Clinical practice guidelines for uterine corpus cancer: an update to the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology guidelines
Woo Yeon HWANG ; Ju-Hyun KIM ; Joseph J. NOH ; Min-Hyun BAEK ; Min Chul CHOI ; Yong Jae LEE ; Maria LEE ; Dong Hoon SUH ; Yong Beom KIM ; Dae-Yeon KIM
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e71-
The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology has updated its clinical practice guidelines for endometrial cancer to incorporate advancements in recent high-quality randomized controlled trials. These guidelines address evolving treatment paradigms, and are tailored to the Korean medical context. Key updates include a strong recommendation for doxorubicin/trabectedin combination therapy in metastatic or recurrent unresectable leiomyosarcoma based on the significant survival benefits demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial. For advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have received strong recommendations, owing to their proven efficacy and increased accessibility in Korea. Conditional recommendations were made for combination therapies involving durvalumab and olaparib, reflecting their potential benefits, but acknowledging regulatory and accessibility constraints. These guidelines aim to provide evidence-based, practical strategies to optimize care for patients with endometrial cancer while addressing unmet clinical needs and adapting global advancements to Korea’s healthcare environment.

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