Purpose: To construct a urologic cancer database using a standardized, reproducible method, and to assess preliminary characteristics of this cohort. Materials and Methods: Patients with prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers who were enrolled with diagnostic codes in the electronic medical record (EMR) at Asan Medical Center from 2007–2016 were included. Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) was used to design the Asan Medical Center-Urologic Cancer Database (AMC-UCD). The process included developing a data dictionary, applying branching logic, mapping clinical data warehouse structures, alpha testing, clinical record summary testing, creating “standards of procedure,” importing data, and entering data. Descriptive statistics were used to identify rates of surgeries and numbers of patients. Results: Clinical variables (n=407) were selected to develop a data dictionary from REDCap. In total, 20,198 urologic cancer patients visited our institution from 2007–2016 (bladder cancer, 4,616; kidney cancer, 5,750; prostate cancer, 10,330). The overall numbers of patients and surgeries increased over time, with robotic surgeries rapidly growing over a decade. The most common treatment for urologic cancer was surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Conclusions Using a standardized method, the AMC-UCD fosters multidisciplinary research. This constructed database provides access to clinical statistics to effectively assist research. Preliminary data should be refined through EMR chart review. The successful organization of data from 2007–2016 provides a framework for future periods of investigation and prospective models.

Background/Aims: There has been growing evidence on the utility of neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in borderline resectable (BR) or locally advanced (LA) pancreatic cancer. However, factors predicting survival in these patients remain to be identified, and we aimed to identify these prognostic factors. Methods: Between January 2013 and April 2017, patients with BR or LA pancreatic cancer who received FOLFIRINOX as their initial treatment were identified. Demographic data and clinical outcomes, including the chemotherapy response, conversion to resection, and survival, were reviewed. Results: A total of 117 patients with BR (n=39) or LA (n=78) pancreatic cancer were included. Of these patients, 29 (24.8%) underwent curative surgery, and R0 resection was achieved in 21 patients (72.4%). The median progression-free survival and overall survival time of all patients were 11.6 and 19.0 months, respectively. In resected patients, the median relapse-free survival and overall survival times were 14.8 and 28.6 months, respectively. In the multivariate Cox model, the lowest level of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and resection after FOLFIRINOX were independent factors for improved overall survival. In the subgroup analysis of patients with initial 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) images, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the pancreatic mass was also shown as an independent factor for improved overall survival. Conclusions In patients with BR or LA pancreatic cancer, FOLFIRINOX is a valuable neoadjuvant treatment that enables curative surgery in approximately one-quarter of patients and significantly improves overall survival. In these patients, the prognosis can be estimated using the lowest level of serum CA 19-9, operative status, and initial FDG-PET SUVmax.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a chronic progressive disease frequently accompanied by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study aimed to investigate the natural course of RPC and identify factors associated with CCA. METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2016, 310 patients diagnosed with RPC at Seoul National University Hospital were included. Complications and management during follow-up were recorded. CCA-free probability was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors associated with CCA were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox’s proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 59.1±10.9 years and mean follow-up duration was 84.0±64.1 months. An intrahepatic duct stone was found in 253 patients (81.6%). Liver atrophy was identified in 185 patients (59.7%) and most commonly located at the left lobe (65.4%). Acute cholangitis, liver abscesses, cirrhotic complications, and CCA developed in 41.3%, 19.4%, 9.7%, and 7.4%, respectively. During follow-up, complete resolution rate after hepatectomy, biliary bypass surgery, and choledocholithotomy with T-tube insertion reached 82.3%, 55.2%, and 42.1%, respectively. None of the patients who maintained complete resolution by the last follow-up day developed CCA. In univariate analysis, female, both-sided intrahepatic duct stones, and liver atrophy at any location were associated with increased risk of CCA. Multivariate analysis revealed that both-sided atrophy significantly increased risk of CCA (hazard ratio, 4.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.48 to 14.09; p=0.008). In 21 patients who developed intrahepatic CCA, tumor was located mostly in the atrophied lobe (p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: In RPC patients, acute cholangitis, liver abscess, cirrhotic complications, and CCA frequently developed. Both-sided liver atrophy was a significant risk factor for developing CCA.
Atrophy ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Cholangitis ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul

We report two cases of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection. In the first case, main mass was located at the neck of the pancreas, encasing superior mesenteric artery and peritoneal seeding was suspected. In the second case, main mass was located at the body of pancreas and superior mesenteric artery was encased. Both patients received FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy regimen, consisting of 5-FU, folinic acid, irinotecan and oxaliplatin. In both cases, tumor size decreased and vascular involvement regressed in response to chemotherapy. After subsequent chemoradiation therapy, both patients underwent surgical resection with negative resection margin. The pathological stages were ypT1cN0 and ypT1aN0, respectively. Both patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with 6 cycles of 5-FU/folinic acid and remained without evidence of disease for more than 6 months after the surgery.

Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract and carries very poor prognosis. Surgery is an only curative modality of treatment in the gallbladder cancer. However, as most of the gallbladder cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages, surgery can be attempted in a very limited number of patients. In advanced stage, treatment option is confined to a palliative systemic chemotherapy, and biliary decompression is needed when cholangitis is suspected. We report a case of 49-year-old patient with metastatic gallbladder cancer treated with successful curative resection after several courses of palliative chemotherapy and biliary decompression.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystectomy ; Decompression ; Drainage ; Drug Therapy ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) site reaction in terms of diagnosis and outcome prediction in young children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: The incidence of BCG site reaction in the respective age ranges was investigated in 1,058 patients who were admitted at Asan Medical Center between January 2006 and February 2017. The 416 patients under 18 months of age were enrolled as subjects for the analysis of the association between BCG site reaction and other laboratory and clinical findings. The analysis was performed separately in complete and incomplete KD groups. RESULTS: The incidence rate of BCG site reaction was peaked at 6–12 months (83%) and decreased with increasing age after 12 months in 1,058 patients (P < 0.001). The incidence rate was above 70% in KD aged less than 18 months and more frequent than those of cervical lymphadenopathy. The logistic regression analyses showed that the principal clinical findings including conjunctivitis (P=0.781), red lips/oral mucosa (P=0.963), rash (P=0.510), cervical lymphadenopathy (P=0.363), changes in extremities (P=0.283) and the coronary artery aneurysm (P=0.776) were not associated with the BCG site reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The BCG site reaction could be a useful diagnostic tool independent to principal clinical findings in KD developing in children aged < 18 months, who underwent BCG vaccination. Outcome of KD patients was not different between groups with or without the BCG site reaction in both complete KD and incomplete KD.
Aneurysm ; BCG Vaccine ; Child ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Conjunctivitis ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Exanthema ; Extremities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Mucous Membrane ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The combination of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (nab-P/Gem) is widely used for treating meta-static pancreatic cancer (MPC). We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes and prognostic role of treatment-related peripheral neuropathy in patients with MPC treated with nab-P/Gem in clinical practice. METHODS: MPC patients treated with nab-P/Gem as the first-line chemotherapy were included. All 88 Korean patients underwent at least two cycles of nab-P/Gem combination chemotherapy (125 and 1,000 mg/m2, respectively). Treatment-related adverse events were monitored through periodic follow-ups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were estimated by the Kaplan Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards regression linear model was applied to assess prognostic factors. To evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related peripheral neuropathy, the landmark point analysis was used. RESULTS: Patients underwent a mean of 6.7±4.2 cycles during 6.3±4.4 months. The median overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 14.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8 to 20.3 months) and 8.4 months (95% CI, 7.1 to 13.2 months), respectively. The disease control rate was 84.1%; a partial response and stable disease were achieved in 30 (34.1%) and 44 (50.0%) patients, respectively. Treatment-related peripheral neuropathy developed in 52 patients (59.1%), and 13 (14.8%) and 16 (18.2%) patients experienced grades 2 and 3 neuropathy, respectively. In the landmark model, at 6 months, treatment-related peripheral neuropathy did not have a significant correlation with survival (p=0.089). CONCLUSIONS: Nab-P/Gem is a reasonable choice for treating MPC, as it shows a considerable disease control rate while the treatment-related peripheral neuropathy was tolerable. The prognostic role of treatment-related neuropathy was limited.
Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of initially missed and rebiopsy-detected prostate cancers following 12-core transrectal biopsy. METHODS: A total of 45 patients with prostate cancers detected on rebiopsy and 45 patients with prostate cancers initially detected on transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy were included in the study. For result analysis, the prostate was divided into six compartments, and the cancer positive rates, estimated tumor burden, and agreement rates between biopsy and surgical specimens, along with clinical data, were evaluated. RESULTS: The largest mean tumor burden was located in the medial apex in both groups. There were significantly more tumors in this location in the rebiopsy group (44.9%) than in the control group (30.1%, P=0.015). The overall sensitivity of biopsy was significantly lower in the rebiopsy group (22.5% vs. 43.4%, P<0.001). The agreement rate of cancer positive cores between biopsy and surgical specimens was significantly lower in the medial apex in the rebiopsy group compared with that of the control group (50.0% vs. 65.6%, P=0.035). The cancer positive rates of target biopsy cores and premalignant lesions in the rebiopsy group were 63.1% and 42.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Rebiopsy-detected prostate cancers showed different spatial distribution and lower cancer detection rate of biopsy cores compared with initially diagnosed cancers. To overcome lower cancer detection rate, target biopsy of abnormal sonographic findings, premalignant lesions and medial apex which revealed larger tumor burden would be recommended when performing rebiopsy.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The presence of normal fingernail is important for the hand function and cosmetic appearance. We studied the results of the microsurgical reconstruction of the defected fingernail using composite toenail transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March of 2004 to May of 2009, eleven fingernails were reconstructed using microsurgical composite toenail transfer in 10 patients with a mean age of 27 years (range, 13 to 47 years). There were three thumbs, five index fingers, and three long fingers. Whole fingernail was destructed in three cases and remaining eight cases had partial nail defect. Toenail was grafted from great toe in eight cases and from second toe in three cases. Five cases were harvested as an osteoonychocutaneous flap, two as a endoosteoonychocutaneous flap and four as an onychocutaneous flap. RESULTS: All cases survived without any tissue necrosis. One arterial obstruction had occurred one day after surgery, which was resolved by repeated decompression and reanastomosis of the artery. All fingernails regenerated successfully. According to the rating system including assessment of shape, size and thickness of nail, nail pinch, pain, and patient's satisfaction, ten cases were rated as excellent and one as good. All patient's were satisfied with their hand function and appearance. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical composite toenail transfer can be an acceptable surgical reconstruction for the fingernail defect after trauma, providing satisfactory hand functions and cosmetic appearance.
Arteries ; Cosmetics ; Decompression ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Nails ; Necrosis ; Thumb ; Toes ; Transplants

Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint is a rare condition. The predisposing risk factors include intravenous drug abuse, subclavian vein catheter placement, diabetes mellitus and trauma. Delayed or inadequate management can lead to irreversible joint damage with subsequent disability, even death. We report a 48-year-old female patient who presented with right sternoclavicular joint swelling and right shoulder pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sternum showed swelling of the right sternoclavicular joint with gadolinium enhancement. Synovial fluid and bone tissue culture revealed Escherichia coli (E.coli), and confirmed the diagnosis of sternoclavicular septic arthritis. She was successfully treated with surgical debridement and ciprofloxacin without recurrence. This is the first case report of E.coli sternoclavicular septic arthritis in Korea.
Arthritis, Infectious ; Bone and Bones ; Catheters ; Ciprofloxacin ; Debridement ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Escherichia ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Joints ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder Pain ; Sternoclavicular Joint ; Sternum ; Subclavian Vein ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Synovial Fluid