Purpose: Notable effectiveness of trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–low advanced breast cancer (BC) has focused pathologists’ attention. We studied the incidence and clinicopathologic characteristics of HER2-low BC, and the effects of immunohistochemistry (IHC) associated factors on HER2 IHC results. Materials and Methods: The Breast Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists conducted a nationwide study using real-world data on HER2 status generated between January 2022 and December 2022. Information on HER2 IHC protocols at each participating institution was also collected. Results: Total 11,416 patients from 25 institutions included in this study. Of these patients, 40.7% (range, 6.0% to 76.3%) were classified as HER2-zero, 41.7% (range, 10.5% to 69.1%) as HER2-low, and 17.5% (range, 6.7% to 34.0%) as HER2-positive. HER2-low tumors were associated with positive estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor statuses (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Antigen retrieval times (≥ 36 minutes vs. < 36 minutes) and antibody incubation times (≥ 12 minutes vs. < 12 minutes) affected on the frequency of HER2 IHC 1+ BC at institutions using the PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) IHC assay and BenchMark XT or Ultra staining instruments. Furthermore, discordant results between core needle biopsy and subsequent resection specimen HER2 statuses were observed in 24.1% (787/3,259) of the patients. Conclusion The overall incidence of HER2-low BC in South Korea concurs with those reported in previously published studies. Significant inter-institutional differences in HER2 IHC protocols were observed, and it may have impact on HER2-low status. Thus, we recommend standardizing HER2 IHC conditions to ensure precise patient selection for targeted therapy.

PURPOSE: We investigated complications after laparoscopic sentinel basin dissection (SBD) for patients with gastric cancer who were enrolled in a quality control study, prior to the phase III trial of sentinel lymph node navigation surgery (SNNS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed prospective data from a Korean multicenter prerequisite quality control trial of laparoscopic SBD for gastric cancer and assessed procedure-related and surgical complications. All complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC) system and were compared with the results of the previously published SNNS trial. RESULTS: Among the 108 eligible patients who were enrolled in the quality control trial, 8 (7.4%) experienced complications during the early postoperative period. One patient with gastric resection-related duodenal stump leakage recovered after percutaneous drainage (grade IIIa in CDC). The other postoperative complications were mild and patients recovered with supportive care. No complications were directly related to the laparoscopic SBD procedure or tracer usage, and there were no mortalities. The laparoscopic SBD complication rates and patterns that were observed in this study were comparable to those of a previously reported trial. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our prospective, multicenter quality control trial demonstrate that laparoscopic SBD is a safe procedure during SNNS for gastric cancer.
Classification ; Drainage ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies* ; Quality Control* ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Stomach Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: The goal of oncoplastic breast surgery is to restore the appearance of the breast and improve patient satisfaction. Thus, the assessment of cosmetic results and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) using appropriately constructed and validated instruments is essential. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term objective cosmetic results and corresponding PROs after oncoplastic breast surgery. METHODS: Cosmetic results were assessed by the patients, a medical panel, and a computer program (BCCT.core). PROs were assessed using BREAST-Q, a questionnaire that measures the perception of patients having breast surgery. The cosmetic results and PROs were analyzed in patients who underwent quadrantectomy and partial breast reconstruction utilizing the latissimus dorsi flap. RESULTS: The mean duration of the follow-up period was 91.6 months (range, 33.3-171.0 months), and mean age of the patients was 51 years old (range, 33-72 years). The mean tumor size was 2.1 cm (range, 0.9-5.5 cm). There was fair agreement between the medical panel and BCCT.core score (K = 0.32, P < 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation between the BCCT.core score and medical panel cosmetic results was identified (r = 0.606, P < 0.001). A better BCCT.core result was related to a higher PRO of each BREAST-Q domain-satisfaction with breasts (R2 = 0.070, P = 0.039), satisfaction with outcome (R2 = 0.087, P = 0.021), psychosocial well-being (R2 = 0.085, P = 0.023), sexual well-being (R2 = 0.082, P = 0.029), and satisfaction with information (R2 = 0.064, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Our long-term results of oncoplastic surgery achieved a high level of patient satisfaction with good cosmetic results. The medical panel and BCCT.core results correlated well with the PROs of the patients using valid, reliable, and procedure-specific measures.
Breast* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pilot Projects* ; Quality of Life ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Surgical Flaps

Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital anomaly in the small bowel. Most cases of Meckel's diverticulum are asymptomatic and are found incidentally. We herein report on a case of a 21-year-old male patient who complained of lower abdominal pain and febrile sensation with incidentally diagnosed gangrenous change of Meckel's diverticulum due to axial torsion itself. A 21-year-old man presented to our institution with acute lower abdominal pain. No accurate focus on abdominal pain such as appendicitis or diverticulitis was observed on abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal CT scan. However, the physical examination of the patient revealed the symptom of localized peritonitis with fever. Finally, laparoscopic exploration was performed to determine the cause of acute abdominal pain. During the operation, we found gangrenous change of Meckel's diverticulum with axial torsion itself and laparoscopic Meckel's diverticulectomy was performed. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged on the 6th postoperative day.
Abdominal Pain ; Appendicitis ; Diverticulitis ; Fever ; Gangrene* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Meckel Diverticulum* ; Peritonitis ; Physical Examination ; Sensation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Torsion Abnormality ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection (CLND) is a treatment modality of choice for thyroid cancer. Hypocalcemia is the most common complication after total thyroidectomy. The aim of the current study was to determine the association between surgery-related clinical factors and postoperative hypocalcemia. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed for 101 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with CLND for papillary cancer from June 2013 to June 2014. Correlation between clinicopathologic factors and postoperative hypocalcemia was analyzed. RESULTS: Based on the postoperative day-2 calcium, 56 patients (55%) developed hypocalcemia and 45 patients (45%) were normal. No significant differences in histopathologic (tumor size, tumor focality, histologic type, number of retrieved lymph nodes, metastatic lymph node, thyroiditis, retrieved parathyroid gland) findings were observed between the hypocalcemia group and normal calcium group. Mean value of the postoperative day-0 parathyroid hormone (PTH) was significantly lower in the hypocalcemia group (hypoca1cemia group: 14.3+/-9.4 pg/mL; normal group: 25.0+/-16.4 pg/mL; P<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, postoperative PTH was a factor significantly affecting postoperative hypocalcemia (OR 0.93; CI: 0.90-0.97; P<0.001). In ROC analysis, the cut-off value of PTH was 19.965 (sensitivity 79%, specificity 58%), and area under the curve (AUC) was 0.709 (95% CI: 0.607-0.811). CONCLUSION: Postoperative PTH was a factor predicting hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy with CLND. Use of postoperative PTH as a screening tool for prediction of postoperative hypocalcemia would be useful in management of patients with hypocalcemia.
Calcium ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Logistic Models ; Lymph Node Excision* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Mass Screening ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy* ; Thyroiditis

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is a rare form of gastric cancer that histologically resembles hepatocellular carcinoma and is characterized by large amounts of alpha fetoprotein in the serum. The prognosis of HAS is poor compared to that of primary gastric cancer with five-year survival rates of 9% and 44%, respectively. Here, we report five patients diagnosed with HAS. Our experience suggests that an advanced stage of HAS has an extremely poor prognosis, but early detection and radical surgery can help improve the prognosis of the disease.
Adenocarcinoma* ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Survival Rate

Hemochromatosis is an inherited genetic disorder of iron metabolism which can also occur as a secondary result of iron-overload. It leads to organ damage such as cardiomyopathy, liver cirrhosis, hypogonadism, and diabetes. This paper discusses a case of secondary hemochromatosis associated with repeated transfusions, presenting as asymptomatic hypoparathyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism with multiple organ involvement. The 29-year-old female, who had severe aplastic anemia, received multiple transfusions totaling approximately 1,400 units of red blood cells over 15 years. During her routine laboratory examination, hypocalcemia was detected with decreased intact parathyroid hormone and increased thyroid stimulating hormone. Serum ferritin, iron, and total iron binding capacity had increased to 27,583.03 ng/mL, 291 microg/dL, and 389 microg/dL, respectively. She had unusually bronze skin and computed tomography revealed iron deposition in the thyroid, liver, and heart. Multiorgan involvement as seen in this case is rare in hemochromatosis associated with secondary transfusions. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first case report in Korea of hypoparathyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism due to iron deposition in the parathyroid and thyroid gland.
Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; Cardiomyopathies ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Ferritins ; Heart ; Hemochromatosis* ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Hypogonadism ; Hypoparathyroidism* ; Hypothyroidism* ; Iron ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Metabolism ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Skin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotropin

Bariatric surgery is considered to be the effective treatment alternative conducted over the lifetime for reducing weight in patients with clinically morbid obesity. For many patients, the benefits of weight loss, including decreases in blood glucose, lipids, and blood pressure as well as increase in mobility, will outweigh the risks of surgical complications. But patients undergoing bariatric surgery have the least risk for long-term diet-related complications as reported in several studies. Thus, with an increasing number of severely obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, the multidisciplinary healthcare system will need to be managed continuously. Many nutrition support specialists will need to become familiar with the metabolic consequences for the frequent monitoring of nutrition status of the patients. South Korea has a very short history with bariatric surgery, and relatively few studies have been conducted on bariatric surgery. Therefore, the objective of this report was to compare the nutrient intake, weight loss, body fat composition, and visceral fat before and after the bariatric surgery.
Adipose Tissue* ; Bariatric Surgery* ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dietary Fats ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Korea ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; Obesity, Morbid ; Specialization ; Weight Loss

Distant metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), particularly from papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, is rare. We present a case of perigastric lymph node metastasis from PTC in a patient with early gastric cancer and breast cancer. During post-surgical follow-up for breast cancer, a 56-year-old woman was diagnosed incidentally with early gastric cancer and synchronous left thyroid cancer. Therefore, laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection and left thyroidectomy were performed. On the basis of the pathologic findings of the surgical specimens, the patient was diagnosed to have papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with perigastric lymph node metastasis and early gastric cancer with mucosal invasion. Finally, on the basis of immunohistochemical staining with galectin-3, the diagnosis of perigastric lymph node metastasis from PTC was made. When a patient has multiple primary malignancies with lymph node metastasis, careful pathologic examination of the surgical specimen is necessary; immunohistochemical staining may be helpful in determining the primary origin of lymph node metastasis.
Breast Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Galectin 3 ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes* ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and gastrectomy based on the two sets of indications for ESD, namely guideline criteria (GC) and expanded criteria (EC). METHODS: Between January 2004 and July 2007, 213 early gastric cancer (EGC) patients were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 142 underwent ESD, and 71 underwent gastrectomy. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of these patients according to the criteria. RESULTS: The complication rates in the ESD and gastrectomy groups were 8.5% and 28.2%, respectively. The duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ESD group than the gastrectomy group according to the GC and EC (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was no recurrence in the ESD and gastrectomy groups according to the GC, and the recurrence rates in the ESD and gastrectomy groups were 4.7% and 0.0% according to the EC, respectively (p=0.279). The occurrence rates of metachronous cancer in the ESD and gastrectomy groups were 5.7% and 5.0% according to the GC (p=1.000) and 7.5% and 0.0% according to the EC (p=0.055), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on safety, duration of hospital stay, and long-term outcomes, ESD may be an effective and safe first-line treatment for EGC according to the EC and GC.
Adult ; Aged ; Dissection ; Early Detection of Cancer ; *Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; *Gastrectomy ; Gastric Mucosa/*surgery ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology ; Patient Safety ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/*surgery/therapy ; Treatment Outcome