Purpose: Smoking cessation intervention is one of the key components of successful lung cancer screening program. We investigated the effectiveness and related factors of smoking cessation services provided to the participants in a population-based lung cancer screening trial. Materials and Methods: The Korean Lung Cancer Screening Project (K-LUCAS) is a nationwide, multi-center lung cancer screening trial that evaluates the feasibility of implementing population-based lung cancer screening. All 5,144 current smokers who participated in the K-LUCAS received a mandatory smoking cessation counseling. Changes in smoking status were followed up using a telephone survey in 6 months after lung cancer screening participation. The lung cancer screening’s impact on smoking cessation is analyzed by variations in the smoking cessation interventions provided in screening units. Results: Among 4,136 survey responders, participant’s motivation to quit smoking increased by 9.4% on average after lung cancer screening. After 6 months from the initial screening, 24.3% of participants stopped smoking, and 10.6% of participants had not smoked continuously for at least 6 months after screening. Over 80% of quitters stated that participation in lung cancer screening motivated them to quit smoking. Low-cost public smoking cessation program combined with lung cancer screening increased the abstinence rates. The smokers were three times more likely to quit smoking when the smoking cessation counseling was provided simultaneously with low-dose computed tomography screening results than when provided separately. Conclusion A mandatory smoking cessation intervention integrated with screening result counselling by a physician after participation in lung cancer screening could be effective for increasing smoking cessation attempts.

Background/Aims: Pirfenidone slows the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We investigated its efficacy and safety in terms of dose and disease severity in real-world patients with IPF. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study investigated 338 patients treated with pirfenidone between July 2012 and March 2018. Demographics, pulmonary function, mortality, and pirfenidone-related adverse events were also investigated. Efficacy was analyzed according to pirfenidone dose and disease severity using linear mixed-effects models to assess the annual decline rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Results: The mean %FVCpredicted and %DLCOpredicted values were 72.6% ± 13.1% and 61.4% ± 17.9%, respectively. The mean duration of pirfenidone treatment was 16.1 ± 9.0 months. In the standard dose (1,800 mg/day) group, the mean %FVCpredicted was −6.56% (95% confidence interval [CI], −9.26 to −3.87) per year before, but −4.43% (95% CI, −5.87 to −3.00) per year after treatment with pirfenidone. In the non-standard lower dose group, the mean %FVCpredicted was −4.96% (95% CI, −6.82 to −3.09) per year before, but −1.79% (95% CI, −2.75 to −0.83) per year after treatment with pirfenidone. The FVC decline rate was significantly reduced, regardless of the Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) stage. Adverse events and mortality were similar across dose groups; however, they were more frequent in GAP stages II–III than in the stage I group. Conclusions The effect of pirfenidone on reducing disease progression of IPF persisted even with a consistently lower dose of pirfenidone.

Purpose: Despite advances in treatment, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality. This study aimed to characterise genome-wide tumorigenesis events and to understand the hypothesis of the multistep carcinogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) Materials and Methods: We conducted multiregion whole-exome sequencing of LUAD with synchronous atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ, or minimally invasive adenocarcinoma of 19 samples from three patients to characterize genome-wide tumorigenesis events and validate the hypothesis of the multistep carcinogenesis of LUAD. We identified potential pathogenic mutations preserved in preinvasive lesions and supplemented the finding by allelic variant level from RNA sequencing. Results: Overall, independent mutational profiles were observed per patient and between patients. Some shared mutations including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR , p.L858R) were present across synchronous lesions. Conclusion Here, we show that there are driver gene mutations in AAH, and they may exacerbate as a sequence in a histological continuum, supporting the Darwinian evolution model of cancer genome. The intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity of synchronous LUAD implies that multi-biomarker strategies might be necessary for appropriate treatment.

Background/Aims: Biliary strictures remain one of the most challenging aspects after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcome of endoscopic treatment of biliary strictures occurring after LDLT and to identify risk factors of recurrent biliary strictures following endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) in LDLT. Methods: A total of 1,106 patients underwent LDLT from May 1995 to May 2014. We compared the risk factors between patients with and without recurrent biliary strictures. Results: Biliary strictures developed in 24.0% of patients. Technical success rate of ERBD for biliary stricture after LDLT was 66.2% (145/219). Among 145 patients managed by endoscopic drainage, stricture resolution occurred in 69 with median duration of stent indwelling of 13.6 months (range, 0.5 to 67.3 months), and stricture recurrence was seen in 20 (21.3%) out of 94. The median recurrence-free duration after final endoscopic success was 13.1 months (range, 0.5 to 67.3 months). Older donor age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.17; p=0.004) and non-B, non-C liver cirrhosis (HR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.10 to 25.00; p=0.043) were associated with higher recurrence of biliary stricture. Conclusions Long-term stricture resolution rate after ERBD insertion for biliary stricture occurring after LDLT was 73.4%. Clinicians should pay careful attention during following-up to decide when to remove ERBD in patients who have factors associated with recurrent biliary strictures.

PURPOSE: To reduce lung cancer mortality, lung cancer screening was recommended using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to high-risk population. A protocol for multicenter lung cancer screening pilot project was developed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of lung cancer screening to implement National Cancer Screening Program in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multidisciplinary expert committee was comprised to develop a standardized protocol for Korean Lung Cancer Screening Project (K-LUCAS). K-LUCAS is a population-based single arm trial that targets high-risk population aged 55-74 years with at least 30 pack-year smoking history. LDCT results are reported by Lung-RADS suggested by American Radiology Society. Network-based system using computer-aided detection program is prepared to assist reducing diagnostic errors. Smoking cessation counselling is provided to all currently smoking participants. A small pilot test was conducted to check the feasibility and compliance of the protocols for K-LUCAS. RESULTS: In pilot test, 256 were participated. The average age of participants was 63.2 years and only three participants (1.2%) were female. The participants had a smoking history of 40.5 pack-year on average and 53.9% were current smokers. Among them, 86.3% had willing to participate in lung cancer screening again. The average willingness to quit smoking among current smokers was 12.7% higher than before screening. In Lung-RADS reports, 10 (3.9%) were grade 3 and nine (3.5%) were grade 4. One participant was diagnosed as lung cancer. CONCLUSION: The protocol developed by this study is assessed to be feasible to perform K-LUCAS in multicenter nationwide scale.
Arm ; Compliance ; Diagnostic Errors ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Pilot Projects ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation

PURPOSE: Lung cancers presenting as subsolid nodule commonly have peripheral location, making the cancer-pleura relationship noteworthy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pleural attachment and/or indentation on visceral pleural invasion (VPI) and recurrence-free survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent curative resection of lung cancer as subsolid nodules from April 2007 to January 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. They were divided into four groups according to their relationship with the pleura. Clinical, radiographical, and pathological findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 404 patients with malignant subsolid nodule, 120 (29.7%) had neither pleural attachment nor indentation, 26 (6.4%) had attachment only, 117 (29.0%) had indentation only, and 141 (34.9%) had both. VPI was observed in nodules of 36 patients (8.9%), but absent in nonsolid nodules and in those without pleural attachment and/or indentation. Compared to subsolid nodules with concurrent pleural attachment and indentation, those with attachment only (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.98) and indentation only (odds ratio, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.31) revealed lower odds of VPI. On subgroup analysis, the size of the solid portion was associated with VPI among those with pleural attachment and indentation (p=0.021). Such high-risk features for VPI were associated with earlier lung cancer recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.58 to 6.91). CONCLUSION: Concurrent pleural attachment and indentation are risk factors for VPI, and the odds increase with larger solid portion in subsolid nodules. Considering the risk of recurrence, early surgical resection could be encouraged in these patients.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pleura ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

The thyroid is resistant to infection due to its anatomical and physiological characteristics. We present a rare case of invasive liver abscess with metastatic thyroid abscess and endogenous endophthalmitis in a previously healthy 55-year-old female patient without diabetes or other medical illness. This report raises an important question of the virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae as an increasingly common causative agent of liver abscess.
Abscess* ; Endophthalmitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver* ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland* ; Virulence

We investigated the causes of inpatient death after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge and determined predictors of in-hospital mortality in Korea. Using medical ICU registry data of Seoul National University Hospital, we performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients who were discharged alive from their first ICU admission with at least 24 hours of ICU length of stay (LOS). From January 2011 to August 2013, 723 patients were admitted to ICU and 383 patients were included. The estimated in-hospital mortality rate was 11.7% (45/383). The most common cause of death was respiratory failure (n = 25, 56%) followed by sepsis and cancer progression; the causes of hospital death and ICU admission were the same in 64% of all deaths; sudden unexpected deaths comprised about one-fifth of all deaths. In order to predict in-hospital mortality among ICU survivors, multivariate analysis identified presence of solid tumor (odds ratio [OR], 4.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01–8.2; P < 0.001), hematologic disease (OR, 4.75; 95% CI, 1.51–14.96; P = 0.013), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score upon ICU admission (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.99–1.17; P = 0.075), and hemoglobin (Hb) level (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52–0.86; P = 0.001) and platelet count (Plt) (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99–1.00; P = 0.033) upon ICU discharge as significant factors. In conclusion, a significant proportion of in-hospital mortality is predictable and those who die in hospital after ICU discharge tend to be severely-ill, with comorbidities of hematologic disease and solid tumor, and anemic and thrombocytopenic upon ICU discharge.
Cause of Death ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hospital Mortality* ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Multivariate Analysis ; Platelet Count ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Sepsis ; Survivors*

A young metastatic lung cancer patient developed empyema due to an infection with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Hydropneumothorax was detected and managed by a tube thoracotomy. However, persistent air leakage through the chest tube was observed due to the presence of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). As hypercapnic respiratory failure had progressed and the large air leak did not diminish by conservative management, a pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (pECLA) device was inserted. The pECLA allowed the patient to be weaned from mechanical ventilation and the BPF to heal. The present case shows the effective application of pECLA in a patient with empyema complicated with BPF and severe hypercapnic respiratory failure. pECLA enabled us to minimize airway pressure to aid in the closure of the BPF in the mechanically ventilated patient.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Bronchial Fistula ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Chest Tubes ; Empyema* ; Fistula ; Humans ; Hydropneumothorax ; Hypercapnia ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Thoracotomy

Clinical practice guidelines for gynecologic cancers have been developed by many organizations. Although these guidelines have much in common in terms of the practice of standard of care for uterine corpus cancer, practice guidelines that reflect the characteristics of patients and healthcare and insurance systems are needed for each country. The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) published the first edition of practice guidelines for gynecologic cancer treatment in late 2006; the second edition was released in July 2010 as an evidence-based recommendation. The Guidelines Revision Committee was established in 2015 and decided to produce the third edition of the guidelines as an advanced form based on evidence-based medicine, considering up-to-date clinical trials and abundant qualified Korean data. These guidelines cover screening, surgery, adjuvant treatment, and advanced and recurrent disease with respect to endometrial carcinoma and uterine sarcoma. The committee members and many gynecologic oncologists derived key questions from the discussion, and a number of relevant scientific literatures were reviewed in advance. Recommendations for each specific question were developed by the consensus conference, and they are summarized here, together with other details. The objective of these practice guidelines is to establish standard policies on issues in clinical areas related to the management of uterine corpus cancer based on the findings in published papers to date and the consensus of experts as a KSGO Consensus Statement.
Committee Membership ; Consensus* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Drug Therapy ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Sarcoma ; Standard of Care