Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) formation is a complication of long-term tracheostomy use. Surgical closure is necessary for a persistent TCF because this can lead to various complications. Herein, we describe our use of an island deltopectoral (DP) flap to treat a large TCF. A 62-year-old male, who had previously undergone supraglottic partial laryngectomy with laser and radiation therapy, presented with a second recurrence of supraglottic cancer. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) were performed. Afterward, a large TCF measuring about 2.0×2.5 cm developed. The island DP flap facilitated successful TCF closure. There have been no recurrences or complications, and both the reconstruction site and donor site are well-maintained after 25 months of follow-up. The island DP flap can be a useful option for large TCF closure, even for patients who have had previous radiation therapy.

Tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) formation is a complication of long-term tracheostomy use. Surgical closure is necessary for a persistent TCF because this can lead to various complications. Herein, we describe our use of an island deltopectoral (DP) flap to treat a large TCF. A 62-year-old male, who had previously undergone supraglottic partial laryngectomy with laser and radiation therapy, presented with a second recurrence of supraglottic cancer. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) were performed. Afterward, a large TCF measuring about 2.0×2.5 cm developed. The island DP flap facilitated successful TCF closure. There have been no recurrences or complications, and both the reconstruction site and donor site are well-maintained after 25 months of follow-up. The island DP flap can be a useful option for large TCF closure, even for patients who have had previous radiation therapy.

Tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) formation is a complication of long-term tracheostomy use. Surgical closure is necessary for a persistent TCF because this can lead to various complications. Herein, we describe our use of an island deltopectoral (DP) flap to treat a large TCF. A 62-year-old male, who had previously undergone supraglottic partial laryngectomy with laser and radiation therapy, presented with a second recurrence of supraglottic cancer. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) were performed. Afterward, a large TCF measuring about 2.0×2.5 cm developed. The island DP flap facilitated successful TCF closure. There have been no recurrences or complications, and both the reconstruction site and donor site are well-maintained after 25 months of follow-up. The island DP flap can be a useful option for large TCF closure, even for patients who have had previous radiation therapy.

Tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) formation is a complication of long-term tracheostomy use. Surgical closure is necessary for a persistent TCF because this can lead to various complications. Herein, we describe our use of an island deltopectoral (DP) flap to treat a large TCF. A 62-year-old male, who had previously undergone supraglottic partial laryngectomy with laser and radiation therapy, presented with a second recurrence of supraglottic cancer. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) were performed. Afterward, a large TCF measuring about 2.0×2.5 cm developed. The island DP flap facilitated successful TCF closure. There have been no recurrences or complications, and both the reconstruction site and donor site are well-maintained after 25 months of follow-up. The island DP flap can be a useful option for large TCF closure, even for patients who have had previous radiation therapy.

Tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) formation is a complication of long-term tracheostomy use. Surgical closure is necessary for a persistent TCF because this can lead to various complications. Herein, we describe our use of an island deltopectoral (DP) flap to treat a large TCF. A 62-year-old male, who had previously undergone supraglottic partial laryngectomy with laser and radiation therapy, presented with a second recurrence of supraglottic cancer. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) were performed. Afterward, a large TCF measuring about 2.0×2.5 cm developed. The island DP flap facilitated successful TCF closure. There have been no recurrences or complications, and both the reconstruction site and donor site are well-maintained after 25 months of follow-up. The island DP flap can be a useful option for large TCF closure, even for patients who have had previous radiation therapy.

Background/Aims: Synchronous multiple gastric cancer (SMGC) accounts for approximately 6% to 14% of gastric cancer (GC) cases. This study aimed to identify risk factors for SMGC. Methods: A total of 14,603 patients diagnosed with GC were prospectively enrolled. Data including age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, family history, p53 expression, microsatellite instability, cancer classification, lymph node metastasis, and treatment were collected. Risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression analysis between a single GC and SMGC. Results: The incidence of SMGC was 4.04%, and that of early GC (EGC) and advanced GC (AGC) was 5.43% and 3.11%, respectively. Patients with SMGC were older (65.33 years vs 61.75 years, p<0.001) and more likely to be male. Lymph node metastasis was found in 27% of patients with SMGC and 32% of patients with single GC. Multivariate analysis showed that SMGC was associated with sex (male odds ratio [OR], 1.669; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.223 to 2.278; p=0.001), age (≥65 years OR, 1.532; 95% CI, 1.169 to 2.008; p=0.002), and EGC (OR, 1.929; 95% CI, 1.432 to 2.600; p<0.001). Survival rates were affected by Lauren classification, sex, tumor size, cancer type, distant metastasis, and venous invasion but were not related to the number of GCs. However, the survival rate of AGC with SMGC was very high. Conclusions SMGC had unique characteristics such as male sex, older age, and EGC, and the survival rate of AGC, in which the intestinal type was much more frequent, was very good (Trial registration number: NCT04973631).