PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors influencing on resilience in adolescents with cancer. METHODS: The participants consisted of 107 parents and 107 adolescents who aged ten and eighteen diagnosed with cancer more than six months and currently receiving outpatient treatment or further management after off-therapy. Data was collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. RESULTS: Resilience was significantly different by religion (t=2.472, p=.045) and number of cancer treatment regimens (F=3.155, p=.047). Family problem-solving communication was also significant by number of cancer treatment regimens (F=3.582, p=.031). The higher social support showed the stronger family hardiness and the better family problem-solving communication. In addition, a positive relationship was found between Family Hardiness Index (FHI) (r=.193, p=.046), Family Problem Solving Communication (FPSC) (r=.226, p=.019) and resilience of adolescents with cancer. FPSC (beta=.356, p=.045) and religion (beta=.441, p=.002) were predictive factors at ages 10-12, FHI (beta=.509, p=.029) and FPSC (beta=.503, p=.037) were predictive factors at ages 13-15 on resilience of adolescents with cancer that explained 16.0% and 24.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that nursing interventions should focus on enhancing family resilience and resilience of adolescents with cancer.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Parents ; Problem Solving ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The causes of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) are mostly attributable to viral infection, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus A/ B (IFV A/ B), or adenovirus (ADV). Several Korean studies reported human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as a common pathogen of ALRTI. However, studies on seasonal distribution and clinical differences relative to other viruses are insufficient, prompting us to perform this study. METHODS: From November 2006 to October 2007, we tested nasopharyngeal aspiration specimens in children hospitalized with ALRTI with the multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to identify 6 kinds of common pathogen (hMPV, RSV, PIV, IFV A/ B, and ADV). We analyzed positive rates and clinical features by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: We detected 38 (8.4%) hMPV-positive cases out of 193 (41.8%) virus-positive specimens among 462 patients. HMPV infection prevailed from March to June with incidence peaking in April. HMPV-positive patients were aged 1-5 years (76.3%), and the ratio of boys to girls was 1.2:1. The median age was 27 months. HMPV primarily caused pneumonia (76.3%) (P=0.018). Average hospitalization of HMPV-associated ALRTI patients was 5.8 days. In addition, they showed parahilar peribronchial infiltration (100%) on chest X-ray, normal white blood cell count (73.7%), and negative C-reactive protein (86.8%) (P>0.05). All hMPV-positive patients recovered without complication. CONCLUSION: HMPV is a common pathogen of ALRTI in Korean children, especially in 1-5 year olds, from March to May. Immunocompetent children diagnosed with hMPV-associated ALRTI may have a good prognosis.
Adenoviridae ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukocyte Count ; Metapneumovirus ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Thorax ; Viruses

Midgut volvulus is commonly complicated with malrotation, and develops mainly in infants before 1 year old, especially in neonate. Intrauterine midgut volvulus is an extremely rare disease therefore is difficult to diagnose. Furthermore unless the fetus has malrotation, symptoms and results of tests suspicious of fetal midgut volvulus are nonspecific. There are some reports that meconium ileus could be a cause of intrauterine midgut volvulus from foreign countries, however has never been reported in Korea. So we report a case of prematurity born with bowel perforation and gangrene due to intrauterine midgut volvulus caused by meconium ileus.
Fetus ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Ileus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Volvulus ; Korea ; Meconium ; Rare Diseases

Overlap of autoimmune hepatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a comparatively rare condition. Although both autoimmune hepatitis and SLE can share common autoimmune features such as polyarthralgia, hypergammaglobulinemia and positive ANA, it has been considered as two different entities. We report a case of anti-LKM1 positive autoimmune hepatitis who developed SLE two years later. The presence of interface hepatitis with lymphoplasma cell infiltrates and rosette formation points to the autoimmune hepatitis rather than SLE hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis is infrequently accompanied by SLE, therefore, it could be recommended to investigate for SLE in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
Antibodies, Antinuclear/analysis ; Autoantibodies/*analysis ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune/complications/*diagnosis/immunology ; Humans ; Liver/pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications/*diagnosis/immunology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the potential role of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The preliminary results on the efficacy and the toxicity of 3D-CRT are reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study, which was conducted prospectively from January 1995 to June 1997. The exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh classification C, tumors occupying more than two thirds of the entire liver, and a performance status of more than 3 on the ECOG scale. Two patients were treated with radiotherapy only while the remaining 15 were treated with combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Radiotherapy was given to the field including the tumor plus a 1.5 cm margin using a 3D-CRT technique. The radiation dose ranged from 36~60 Gy (median; 59.4 Gy). Tumor response was based on a radiological examination such as the CT scan, MR imaging, and hepatic artery angiography at 4~8 weeks following the completion of treatment. The acute and subacute toxicities were monitored. RESULTS: An objective response was observed in 11 out of 17 patients, giving a response rate of 64.7%. The actuarial survival rate at 2 years was 21.2% from the start of radiotherapy (median survival; 19 months). Six patients developed a distant metastasis consisting of a lung metastasis in 5 patients and bone metastasis in one. The complications related to 3D-CRT were gastro-duodenitis (>or= grade 2) in 2 patients. There were no treatment related deaths and radiation induced hepatitis. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results show that 3D-CRT is a reliable and effective treatment modality for primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma compared to other conventional modalities. Further studies to evaluate the definitive role of the 3D-CRT technique in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma are needed.
Angiography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Classification ; Hepatic Artery ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Conformal* ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

It is well known that intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR), either alone or in combination with external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is an essential component of the radiation treatment of uterine cervical cancer. Although low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy has been successfully applied to the management of such patients, several radiation oncologists have experience of using high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with promising clinical results over the past 4 decades. However, there has been a considerable reluctance by radiation oncologists and gynecologists in North America to employ the HDR remote afterloading technique instead of the more firmly established LDR treatment modality. In contrast, the HDR-ICR system is rapidly gaining acceptance in Korea since the introduction of the Ralstron, remotely controlled afterloading system using HDR Co-60 sources, at the Yonsei Cancer Center in 1979. According to brachytherapy statistics reported by the Korean Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, in 1997, brachytherapy was performed upon 1,758 Korean patients with uterine cervical cancer, of whom approximately 83% received HDR brachytherapy. In this review, we present our experiences of HDR-ICR for the treatment of uterine cervical cancer. In addition, we discuss the controversial points, which are raised by those considering the use of HDR-ICR for uterine cervical cancer; these issues include physical and radiobiological considerations, and the prospect of future technical improvements.
Brachytherapy/*methods ; Cervix Neoplasms/*radiotherapy ; Dose Fractionation ; Female ; Human ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted

PURPOSE: This study is a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy and complication of anti-emetic drugs for prevention of nausea and vomiting after radiotherapy which has moderate emetogenic potential. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anti-emetic efficacy of ondansetron (Zofran(R)) 8 mg bid dose (Group O) is better than the efficacy of metoclopramide 5 mg tid dose (Group M) in patients undergoing fractionated radiotherapy to the abdominal region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study entry was restricted to those patients who met the following eligibility criteria: histologically confirmed malignant disease; no distant metastasis; performance status of not more than ECOG grade 2; no previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Between March 1997 and February 1998, 60 patients enrolled in this study. All patients signed a written statement of informed consent prior to enrollment. Blinding was maintained by dosing identical number of tablets including one dose of matching placebo for Group O. The extent of nausea, appetite loss, and the number of emetic episodes were recorded everyday using diary card. The mean score of nausea, appetite loss and the mean number of emetic episodes were obtained in a weekly interval. RESULTS: Prescription error occurred in one patient. And diary cards have not returned in 3 patients due to premature refusal of treatment. Card from one patient was excluded from the analysis because she had a history of treatment for neurosis. As a result, the analysis consisted of 55 patients. Patient characteristics and radiotherapy charcteristics were similar except mean age was 52.9+/-11.2 in group M, 46.5+/-9.6 in group O. The difference of age was statistically significant. The mean score of nausea, appetite loss and emetic episodes in a weekly interval was higher in group M than O. In group M, the symptoms were most significant at 5th week. In a panel data analysis using mixed procedure, treatment group was only significant factor detecting the difference of weekly score for all three symptoms. Ondansetron (Zofran ) 8 mg bid dose and metoclopramide 5 mg tid dose were well tolerated without significant side effects. There were no clinically important changes in vital signs or clinical laboratory parameters with either drug. CONCLUSION: Concerning the fact that patients with younger age have higher emetogenic potential, there are possibilities that age difference between two treatment groups lowered the statistical power of analysis. There were significant difference favoring ondansetron group with respect to the severity of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. We concluded that ondansetron is more effective anti-emetic agents in the control of radiotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite without significant toxicity, compared with commonly used drug, i.e., metoclopramide. However, there were patients suffering emesis despite the administration of ondansetron. The possible strategies to improve the prevention and the treatment of radiotherapy-induced emesis must be further studied.
Appetite ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Metoclopramide* ; Nausea* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ondansetron* ; Prescriptions ; Prospective Studies* ; Radiotherapy* ; Statistics as Topic ; Tablets ; Treatment Refusal ; Vital Signs ; Vomiting*

PURPOSE: To define the clinical features and pattern of failure and to evaluate the results of radiation treatment in of adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jun. 1981 to Dec. 1997, 43 patients with adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were retrospectively analyzed external radiation treatment and HDR-ICR from Yonsei cancer center and Wonju cristian hospital. The median age was 51. Stage distribution according to FIGO were stage 1b in 10, 2a in 5, 2b in 18, 3b in 9, 4a in 1. Median follow-up period was 41 months. RESULTS: Overall survival rate and disease free survival rate were 57.2% and 60.2%. Complete response rate was 86.0%. Locoregional failure was observed in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Major pattern of failure was locoregional failure. Adenosquamous cell carcinoma was not more aggressive than other pathologic types.
Cervix Uteri* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

This study was done to provide basic data on prevention of breast cancer by identifying and analyzing risk factors for breast cancer in Korean women. The data were collected from three hospitals. The data from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 1997 was based on the patient recordings and personal contacts if possible. Data from 1998 to 1999 was collected from 280 inpatients and outpatients diagnosed as breast cancer. From this data, information about the risk factors of breast cancer could be acquired. The factors are scaled according to the degree of risk. Menstrual history, obstetrical history, family history, lactation period, life style were given 5 point, and body mass index was given 4 point. Using one-way ANOVA, the most important risk factors were identified and analyzed by multiple regression. The conclusion of this study are as follows: General factors which would show an effect on the results of the multiple regression included risk factors such as menstrual history, obstetrical history, lactation period, family history, and life style factors including mortal state, monthly income, educational level, job and age. Family history(R=0.481) was found to be the highest risk factor(23.1%) affecting breast cancer risk. The next factors were dying hair(R=0.603), drinking(R=0.846), body mass index(R=0.885), smoking(R= 0.916), age of menopause(R=0.937), pregnancy age of first full-term(R=0.957), eating vegetable(R=0.980) and the number of full term pregnancies in that order. The sum total(R=0.986) of all the above factors accounted for 97.3% of the risk of breast cancer for Korean women. In conclusion, it was found that family history and dyeing hair were the highest risk factors for breast cancer. It is recommended that those with a family history of breast cancer should have regular breast examinations, and those who often dye their hair should reconsider this practice.
Body Mass Index ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Eating ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea* ; Lactation ; Learning* ; Life Style ; Nursing* ; Outpatients ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Although using the high energy photon beam with conventional parallel-opposed beams radio-therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, radiation-induced xerostomia is a troublesome problem for patient. We conducted this study to explore a new parotid gland sparing technique in 3-D conformal radiotherap (3-D CRT) in an effort to prevent the radiation-induced xerostomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed three different planning for four clinically node-negative naso-phar yngeal cancer patients with different location of tumor(intracranial extension, nasal cavity extension, oropharyngeal extension, parapharyngeal extension), and intercompared the plans. Total prescription dos <. Was 70.2 Gy to the isocenter, For plan-A, 2-D parallel opposing fields, a conventional radiotherapy technique, were employed. For plan-B, 2-D parallel opposing fields were used up until 54 Gy an < 3 afterwards 3-D non-coplanar beams were used. For plan-C, the new technique, 54 Gy was delivered b r 3-D conformal 3-port beams (AP and both lateral ports with wedge compensator; shielding both superficial lobes of parotid glands at the AP beam using BEV) from the beginning of the treatment and early spinal cord block (at 36 Gy) was performed. And bilateral posterio r necks were treated with electron after 36 Gy. After 54 Gy, non-coplanar beams were used for cone-down plan. We intercompared dose statistic; Dmax, Dmin, Dmean, D95, D05, V95, V05, Volume receiving 46 Gy) and dose volume histograms (DVH) of tumor and normal tissues and NTCP values of parotid glands for the above three plans. RESULTS: For all patients, the new technique (plan-C) was comparable or superior to the other plans in target volume isodose distribution and dose statistics and it has more homogenous target volume, coverage. The new technique was most superior to the other plans in parotid glands sparing (volume receiving 46 Gy: 100, 9 B, 69% for each plan-A, B and C). And it showed the lowest NTCP value of parotid glands in all patients (range of NTCP; 96-100%, 79-99%, 51-72% for each plan-A, B and C). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the new technique employing 3-D conformal radiotherapy at the beginning of radiotherapy and cone down using non-coplanar beams with early spinal cord block is highly recommended to spare parotid glands for node-negative nasopharygeal cancer patients.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Neck ; Parotid Gland* ; Prescriptions ; Radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy, Conformal* ; Spinal Cord ; Xerostomia