Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

There are various methods for restoring the dentition of completely edentulous patients. Removable complete dentures have the advantage of being relatively economical, but they can be uncomfortable to wear. With the introduction of implant prosthodontics, various options such as implant-supported overdentures and hybrid prostheses have become available. If there is inadequate remaining ridge or limited financial resources, an overdenture supported by a few implants with additional attachments may be more suitable. In this case, due to severe peri-implantitis and other complications, the implants were removed. Subsequently, four implants (two on each side) were placed in the maxilla and a milledbar with attachment was fabricated for each side of the maxilla.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), dyspnea, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), as well as the factorsinfluencing HRQOL. Methods: A total of 129 lung cancer survivors (mean age, 53.4 years; 77 men and 52 women; mean time since diagnosis, 1.6 years; and cancer stage [1/2/3/4/relapse], 43/31/19/34/2, respectively) completed a questionnaire that included demographic and clinical information, as well as questions about the severity of sleep apnea, dyspnea, and HRQOL. The severity of OSA, dyspnea, and HRQOL were assessed using the Berlin questionnaire, the Dyspnea-10 item (FACIT-Dyspnea), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, respectively. Results: The severity of OSA and dyspnea exhibited negative correlations with HRQOL (p < 0.05).Multiple regression analysis revealed that several factors significantly impacted the HRQOLof lung cancer survivors. These included the extent of dyspnea (β = –0.369, p < 0.01), weight loss (β = 0.192, p < 0.01), OSA score (β = −0.215, p < 0.01), stage 2 cancer (β = −0.181, p < 0.01), and poor perceived health status (β = −0.179, p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that breathing difficulties, including OSA and dyspnea, contribute to decreased HRQOL. This study offers valuable insights for researchers and clinicians, aiding in the development of effective strategies to manage these issues in daily life.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), dyspnea, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), as well as the factorsinfluencing HRQOL. Methods: A total of 129 lung cancer survivors (mean age, 53.4 years; 77 men and 52 women; mean time since diagnosis, 1.6 years; and cancer stage [1/2/3/4/relapse], 43/31/19/34/2, respectively) completed a questionnaire that included demographic and clinical information, as well as questions about the severity of sleep apnea, dyspnea, and HRQOL. The severity of OSA, dyspnea, and HRQOL were assessed using the Berlin questionnaire, the Dyspnea-10 item (FACIT-Dyspnea), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, respectively. Results: The severity of OSA and dyspnea exhibited negative correlations with HRQOL (p < 0.05).Multiple regression analysis revealed that several factors significantly impacted the HRQOLof lung cancer survivors. These included the extent of dyspnea (β = –0.369, p < 0.01), weight loss (β = 0.192, p < 0.01), OSA score (β = −0.215, p < 0.01), stage 2 cancer (β = −0.181, p < 0.01), and poor perceived health status (β = −0.179, p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that breathing difficulties, including OSA and dyspnea, contribute to decreased HRQOL. This study offers valuable insights for researchers and clinicians, aiding in the development of effective strategies to manage these issues in daily life.