Rectal cancer, which accounts for approximately 40% of colorectal cancers, remains a major clinical concern. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment have steadily improved rectal cancer outcomes. Considering this, the Korean Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary (KRCM) Committee has aimed to provide clinicians and policymakers with up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to support optimal decision-making, reflecting current evidence, the Korean healthcare context, and patient values and preferences. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rectal Cancer version 2.0 were developed through multidisciplinary collaboration with related academic societies, building upon and updating the KRCM Clinical Practice Guidelines version 1.0 (titled “Multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of rectal cancer”). These consensus guidelines of the KRCM were established based on a comprehensive literature review, evidence synthesis, with recommendation development guided by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology, and consideration of applicability in real-world clinical practice under the national health insurance system. Each recommendation has been presented with its strength and level of evidence.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate manifestations and patterns of care for patients with brain metastasis (BM) from breast cancer (BC) and compared their overall survival (OS) from 2005 through 2014 in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 600 BC patients with BM diagnosed between 2005 and 2014. The median follow-up duration was 12.5 months. We categorized the patients into three groups according to the year when BM was initially diagnosed (group I [2005-2008], 98 patients; group II [2009-2011], 200 patients; and group III [2012-2014], 302 patients). Results: Over time, the median age at BM diagnosis increased by 2.2 years (group I, 49.0 years; group II, 48.3 years; and group III, 51.2 years; p=0.008). The percentage of patients with extracranial metastasis was 73.5%, 83.5%, and 86.4% for group I, II, and III, respectively (p=0.011). The time interval between BC and BM was prolonged in patients with stage III primary BC (median, 2.4 to 3 years; p=0.029). As an initial brain-directed treatment, whole-brain radiotherapy alone decreased from 80.0% in 2005 to 41.1% in 2014. Meanwhile, stereotactic radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy alone increased from 13.3% to 34.7% during the same period (p=0.005). The median OS for group I, II, and III was 15.6, 17.9, and 15.0 months, respectively, with no statistical significance. Conclusion The manifestations of BM from BC and the pattern of care have changed from 2005 to 2014 in Korea. However, the OS has remained relatively unchanged over the 10 years.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify predictors for distant metastatic behavior and build a related prognostic nomogram in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,181 patients with non-metastatic breast cancer between 2003 and 2011 were analyzed. To predict the probability of distant metastasis, a nomogram was constructed based on prognostic factors identified using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The 7-year overall survival and 5-year post-progression survival of locoregional versus distant recurrence groups were 67.6% versus 39.1% (p=0.027) and 54.2% versus 33.5% (p=0.043), respectively. Patients who developed distant metastasis showed early and late mortality risk peaks within 3 and after 5 years of follow-up, respectively, but a broad and low risk increment was observed in other patients with locoregional relapse. In multivariate analysis of distant metastasis-free interval, age (≥ 45 years vs. < 45 years), molecular subtypes (luminal A vs. luminal B, human epidermal growth receptor 2, and triple negative), T category (T1 vs. T2-3 and T4), and N category (N0 vs. N1 and N2-3) were independently associated (p < 0.05 for all). Regarding the significant factors, a well-validated nomogram was established (concordance index, 0.812). The risk score level of patients with initial brain failure was higher than those of non-brain sites (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: The nomogram could be useful for predicting the individual probability of distant recurrence in breast cancer. In high-risk patients based on the risk scores, more aggressive systemic therapy and closer surveillance for metastatic failure should be considered.
Brain ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nomograms* ; Phenobarbital ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: Percutaneous removal of benign breast tumors using ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) has been recently regarded as a feasible and safe method without serious complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the VABB in the treatment of benign phyllodes tumors, and to identify whether or not surgical re-excision is necessary for benign phyllodes tumors diagnosed and excised by VABB. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2011, a total of 6,923 VABB were performed in 5,434 patients. Out of 6,923 lesions, 53 were benign phyllodes tumors. Among these, 31 lesions, with a follow-up period of longer than 24 months, were enrolled in this study. Ultrasonography follow-up was performed at 3 to 6 month intervals in order to assess recurrence. The mean follow-up period was 75.9+/-13.5 months (range, 24-94 months). RESULTS: The mean patient age at presentation was 31.6+/-9.4 years. The mean size of the lesion was 1.60+/-0.88 cm. The majority of lesions, 74.2% (23 cases), were palpable, and 25.8% (8 cases) were non-palpable. Twenty-two lesions (71.0%) were classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 3, and nine lesions (29.0%) were classified as category 4a, by ultrasonography. During the follow-up period, local recurrence developed in one lesion, making the local recurrence rate 3.2%. CONCLUSION: If a benign phyllodes tumor is diagnosed, and sufficiently excised by VABB, observing the clinical course may be considered as an alternative to performing immediate wide local excision; this is the case despite the fact that it would need to be observed for a prolonged period of time.
Biopsy ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Phyllodes Tumor ; Recurrence

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI), characterized by presence of intramural gas cyst in the intestinal wall is associated with various medical condition. Polymyosistis, however, is rarely associated with PCI. Few cases are reported in the world, and none has not been reported previously in Korea. A 67-year-old woman with polymyositis developed mild abdominal pain and abdominal distension during treatment with steroid and azathioprine. Radiographic findings including CT scan showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptom and clinical findings improved after the treatment with antibiotics and high-dose oxygen therapy.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Azathioprine/therapeutic use ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Polymyositis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI), characterized by presence of intramural gas cyst in the intestinal wall is associated with various medical condition. Polymyosistis, however, is rarely associated with PCI. Few cases are reported in the world, and none has not been reported previously in Korea. A 67-year-old woman with polymyositis developed mild abdominal pain and abdominal distension during treatment with steroid and azathioprine. Radiographic findings including CT scan showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptom and clinical findings improved after the treatment with antibiotics and high-dose oxygen therapy.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Azathioprine/therapeutic use ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Polymyositis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Biloma is a rare disorder, and is defined as an abnormal extrahepatic or intrahepatic collection of bile within a defined capsular space. The common causes of biloma are iatrogenic and trauma. Spontaneous biloma, especially caused by pancreatic cancer, is very rare. An 86-year-old man was admitted with abdominal pain and fever. The patient denied a history of abdominal surgery, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, or trauma. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a huge collection of fluid in the left lobe of the liver, dilatation of the intra and proximal common bile duct, and a heterogeneous enhancing mass in the pancreatic head portion. Percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance was performed, and the fluid analysis was compatible with biloma. A plastic stent was endoscopically inserted into the common bile duct to treat continuous drainage of the fluid despite percutaneous drainage. We report a case of biloma developed spontaneously in a patient with pancreatic cancer and successfully treated by endoscopic biliary stenting.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile ; Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation ; Drainage ; Fever ; Head ; Humans ; Liver ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Plastics ; Stents

PURPOSE: Ampullary carcinoid tumors are rare and therefore the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis after radical surgery have yet to be clarified. The goal of this study was to analyze the outcome of ampullary carcinoid tumors in patients who underwent radical curative resection. METHODS: From January 1998 to December 2005, 10 patients (3.4%) were diagnosed with an ampullary carcinoid tumor among 294 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for various ampullary neoplasms. The clinical findings from these 10 patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 58.0 +/- 13.4 years and seven were male. A standard pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in three patients and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in seven. An R0 resection was achieved in all 10 patients. The mean tumor size was 2.1 +/- 1.3 cm. Synaptophysin staining was positive in 10 and chromogranin staining was positive in eight patients. The overall and disease-free survival rates were 90% and 80% at 1 year and 64% and 56% at 3 years, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed that a maximum tumor diameter > or = 2 cm and tumor invasion beyond the ampulla were significant risk factors for tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that performing a radical resection is the treatment of choice, with the intention of total tumor removal and the possibility of cure.
Carcinoid Tumor* ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Intention ; Male ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Synaptophysin

BACKGROUND: C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has been known to be associated with plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels, which is an independent risk factor for stroke. However, recent large clinical trials did not show any benefits of Hcy lowering therapy with vitamins on the prevention of stroke. We hypothesized that the Hcy lowering effect by vitamins would be different according to the MTHFR C677T SNP types (CC, CT or TT), which may influence the benefits of vitamins by Hcy lowering on stroke prevention. METHODS: The authors retrospectively studied acute stroke patients with information of the genotype of MTHFR and serial levels of Hcy during a recent 4 year period (July 2002 - Dec 2005). Vitamins (folic acid 1 mg, and/or cobalamin 750 microgram and pyridoxine 75 mg) were prescribed to the patients whose basal plasma Hcy levels were above 12 umol/L. RESULTS: Among 172 patients, 68 patients took vitamins. The mean basal Hcy level was significantly higher in the TT type than the others, and was decreased by vitamin therapy. Distribution of homocysteine grading (normal, intermediate or high) in follow up was not significantly different according to these SNP types. CONCLUSIONS: The Hcy lowering effect by vitamins was not different by MTHFR genetic polymorphism. Considering the higher prevalence of certain gene types in stroke and our study results, genetic factors such as MTHFR polymorphism may play an important role on the development of stroke rather than the plasma Hcy levels.
Follow-Up Studies ; Genotype ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Oxidoreductases ; Plasma* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide* ; Prevalence ; Pyridoxine ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke* ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is now widely accepted as a useful treatment method for gastric adenoma and early gastric cancer (EGC) because of its minimal invasiveness and satisfactory post-procedure results. The purpose of this study is to define the follow-up results and usefulness of EMR. METHODS: We analyzed 54 cases from June 2000 through September 2004. Endoscopy with histological examination was carried out every 3 months for 1 year after EMR. RESULTS: The patients consisted of 42 men and 12 women, and the mean age was 60 years old. The histological results were 42 gastric adenoma and 12 EGC cases. There were 9 cases that had the histological diagnosis changes after EMR. Complete resections was performed for 48 cases and the en block resections were 33 of 34 cases (97%) and piecemeal resections were done in 15 of 20 cases (75%). Recurrence was seen in 4 cases (7.1%), and the mean recurrence period was 7 months. There were 3 gastric adenomas of 42 cases (7.1%), one case of EGC of 12 cases (8.3%), one en block resection of 34 cases (2.9%) and three piecemeal resections of 20 cases (15%). CONCLUSIONS: EMR is a safe and useful treatment method for gastric adenoma and EGC. However, EMR has some limitations that EGC may have lymph node metastases or multiple tumors. So, periodic follow-up is very important. As we acquire more clinical experience, EMR may be accepted as the standard treatment method for gastric adenoma and EGC.
Adenoma* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms*