Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Background: The distribution of species and characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) differ, and surveillance data for changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities of NTM is insufficient. This study analyzed the changes in antimicrobial susceptibility trends across NTM species and assessed the appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial drugs for NTM. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, including demographics, distribution of NTM species, antimicrobial drug susceptibilities, and outcomes, at a teaching hospital in Jeju Island from 2009 - 2022. Results: Overall, 342 patients were included in the analysis; 93.0% were classified into the pulmonary group (PG) and 7.0% into the extrapulmonary group (EPG). The isolation rate of Mycobacterium avium was significantly higher in PG (36.8% vs. 0%, P = 0.001), while that of Mycobacterium fortuitum was significantly higher in EPG (4.5% vs.31.3%, P = 0.001). The antimicrobial susceptibility rate is higher against clarithromycin (89.9%) and amikacin (83.3%) and lower against rifampin (54.7%) and ethambutol (28.1%). The susceptibility rate to clarithromycin was over 80%, but those to rifampin and ethambutol showed decreasing annual trends. Of the 162 patients who received empirical antimicrobial therapy, actual antimicrobial susceptibility rates were high (90.1%) using empirical macrolide, and relatively low using ethambutol and rifampin (28.0% and 58.8%, respectively). Conclusion This is the first study of analysis of the distribution, baseline characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated NTM species in pulmonary and extrapulmonary patients in Jeju Island over 10 years. Policies that continuously monitor changes in susceptibility rate are required to ensure effective treatment strategies.

Background: Brain metastases of peri-Rolandic area is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of life for cancer patients. Surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is considered for peri-Rolandic brain metastases as for other brain metastases. However, the benefit of each treatment modality on functional outcome has not been clearly defined for this tumor. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional course of each treatment and to suggest an effective treatment for patients’ quality of life. Methods: Fifty-two patients who had undergone SRS or surgery for brain metastasis confirmedby enhanced MRI were enrolled retrospectively. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and functional outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, univariate, multivariate analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Median OS and PFS were 13.3 months and 8.9 months in our study population.Treatment modalities were not significant factors for OS and PFS. Extracranial systemic cancer progression was significant factor for both parameters (p=0.030 for OS and p=0.040 for PFS). Median symptom improvement (improvement of at least 1 grade after surgery compared to preoperative state) time was significantly shorter in surgery group than in the SRS group (10.5 days vs. 37.5 days, p=0.034). Conclusion Surgery for brain metastases can contribute to a positive quality of life for the remain-ing duration of the patient’s life.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Objective: : Although several commercialized bone cements are used during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), there are no reports using domestic products from South Korea. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of Spinofill® (Injecta Inc., Gunpo, Korea), a new polymethyl methacrylate product. Methods: : A prospective, single-center, and single-arm clinical trial of 30 participants who underwent PVP using Spinofill® for painful thoracolumbar OVCF was performed with 6-months follow-up. Clinical and surgical outcomes included the Visual analog scale (VAS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), and Odom’s criteria, complication rate, and recurrence rate. Radiological outcomes were evaluated by measuring the findings of postoperative computed tomography and simple radiograph. Results: : The pain of VAS (from 8.95±1.05 to 4.65±2.06, p<0.001) and the life quality based on K-ODI (from 33.95±5.84 to 25.65±4.79, p<0.001) improved significantly, and successful patient satisfaction were achieved in 20 patients (66.7%) 1 day after surgery. These immediate improvements were maintained or more improved during the follow-up. There was no surgery- or product-related complications, but OVCF recurred in two patients (6.7%). Favorable cement interdigitation was reported in 24 patients (80.0%), and extra-vertebral cement leakage was reported in 13 patients (43.0%). The mean vertebral height ratio (from 60.49%±21.97% to 80.07%±13.16%, p<0.001) and segmental kyphotic angle (from 11.46°±8.50° to 7.79°±6.08°, p=0.002) improved one day after surgery. However, these short-term radiological findings somewhat regressed at the end. Conclusion : The overall outcomes of PVP using Spinofill® were as favorable as those of other conventionally used products.