1.Hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: an analysis of the 2016-2018 Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry
Jihyun AN ; Young CHANG ; Gwang Hyeon CHOI ; Won SOHN ; Jeong Eun SONG ; Hyunjae SHIN ; Jae Hyun YOON ; Jun Sik YOON ; Hye Young JANG ; Eun Ju CHO ; Ji Won HAN ; Suk Kyun HONG ; Ju-Yeon CHO ; Kyu-Won JUNG ; Eun Hye PARK ; Eunyang KIM ; Bo Hyun KIM
Journal of Liver Cancer 2025;25(1):109-122
Background:
s/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea. This study evaluated the characteristics of Korean patients newly diagnosed with HCC in 2016-2018.
Methods:
Data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a representative database of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in South Korea, were analyzed. This study investigated 4,462 patients with HCC registered in the KPLCR in 2016-2018.
Results:
The median patient age was 63 years (interquartile range, 55-72). 79.7% of patients were male. Hepatitis B infection was the most common underlying liver disease (54.5%). The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system classified patients as follows: stage 0 (14.9%), A (28.8%), B (7.5%), C (39.0%), and D (9.8%). The median overall survival was 3.72 years (95% confidence interval, 3.47-4.14), with 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of 71.3%, 54.1%, and 44.3%, respectively. In 2016-2018, there was a significant shift toward BCLC stage 0-A and Child-Turcotte-Pugh liver function class A (P<0.05), although survival rates did not differ by diagnosis year. In the treatment group (n=4,389), the most common initial treatments were transarterial therapy (31.7%), surgical resection (24.9%), best supportive care (18.9%), and local ablation therapy (10.5%).
Conclusions
Between 2016 and 2018, HCC tended to be diagnosed at earlier stages, with better liver function in later years. However, since approximately half of the patients remained diagnosed at an advanced stage, more rigorous and optimized HCC screening strategies should be implemented.
2.Factors Associated with Postoperative Recurrence in Stage I to IIIA Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation: Analysis of Korean National Population Data
Kyu Yean KIM ; Ho Cheol KIM ; Tae Jung KIM ; Hong Kwan KIM ; Mi Hyung MOON ; Kyongmin Sarah BECK ; Yang Gun SUH ; Chang Hoon SONG ; Jin Seok AHN ; Jeong Eun LEE ; Jae Hyun JEON ; Chi Young JUNG ; Jeong Su CHO ; Yoo Duk CHOI ; Seung Sik HWANG ; Chang Min CHOI ; Seung Hun JANG ; Jeong Uk LIM ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):83-94
Purpose:
Recent development in perioperative treatment of resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have changed the landscape of early lung cancer management. The ADAURA trial has demonstrated the efficacy of adjuvant osimertinib treatment in resectable NSCLC patients; however, studies are required to show which subgroup of patients are at a high risk of relapse and require adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. This study evaluated risk factors for postoperative relapse among patients who underwent complete resection.
Materials and Methods:
Data were obtained from the Korean Association for Lung Cancer Registry (KALC-R), a database created using a retrospective sampling survey by the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and the Lung Cancer Registration Committee.
Results:
A total of 3,176 patients who underwent curative resection was evaluated. The mean observation time was approximately 35.4 months. Among stage I to IIIA NSCLC patients, the EGFR-mutant subgroup included 867 patients, and 75.2%, 11.2%, and 11.8% were classified as stage I, stage II, and stage III, respectively. Within the EGFR-mutant subgroup, 44 (5.1%) and 121 (14.0%) patients showed early and late recurrence, respectively. Multivariate analysis on association with postoperative relapse among the EGFR-mutant subgroup showed that age, pathologic N and TNM stages, pleural invasion status, and surgery type were independent significant factors.
Conclusion
Among the population that underwent complete resection for early NSCLC with EGFR mutation, patients with advanced stage, pleural invasion, or limited resection are more likely to show postoperative relapse.
3.Epidemiology and survival analysis according to the histologic subtype of pancreatic cancer:a population-based cohort study
Hyeong Min PARK ; Mee Joo KANG ; Sang-Jae PARK ; Kyu-Won JUNG ; Sung-Sik HAN
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2025;108(1):20-30
Purpose:
This study investigated epidemiologic features of patients with pancreatic cancer in Korea, according to the histologic subtypes.
Methods:
The Korea Central Cancer Registry data on patients with pancreatic cancer from 1999 to 2019 were reviewed. The 101,446 patients with pancreatic cancer (C25 based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) were allocated according to the following morphological codes: A, endocrine; B, carcinoma excluding cystic and mucinous; C, cystic or mucinous; D, acinar cell; and E, sarcoma and soft tissue tumor.
Results:
The distribution of each pancreatic cancer subtype group in Korea from 1999 to 2019 was as follows: A, n = 3,101 (3.1%); B, n = 95,051 (93.7%); C, n = 2,856 (2.8%); D, n = 299 (0.3%); and E, n = 139 (0.1%). In group B, 49.2% of patients were aged >70 years, and half of them did not receive treatment within 4 months of diagnosis. In addition, only 30.9% of the patients were in the localized and regional stage in which surgical treatment was possible. Pancreatic cancer occurred more frequently in females than in males only in group C. Between 1999 and 2019, the average annual percentage changes in the age-specific incidence rates were positive in groups A (13.9%, P < 0.001), B (1.0%, P < 0.001), and C (6.5%, P = 0.025). Significant improvements in 5-year survival rates over time were observed in subtypes A, B, and C.
Conclusion
The subgroups of pancreatic cancer show different epidemiologic features, including incidences, treatment rates, and prognoses.
5.Epidemiology and survival analysis according to the histologic subtype of pancreatic cancer:a population-based cohort study
Hyeong Min PARK ; Mee Joo KANG ; Sang-Jae PARK ; Kyu-Won JUNG ; Sung-Sik HAN
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2025;108(1):20-30
Purpose:
This study investigated epidemiologic features of patients with pancreatic cancer in Korea, according to the histologic subtypes.
Methods:
The Korea Central Cancer Registry data on patients with pancreatic cancer from 1999 to 2019 were reviewed. The 101,446 patients with pancreatic cancer (C25 based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) were allocated according to the following morphological codes: A, endocrine; B, carcinoma excluding cystic and mucinous; C, cystic or mucinous; D, acinar cell; and E, sarcoma and soft tissue tumor.
Results:
The distribution of each pancreatic cancer subtype group in Korea from 1999 to 2019 was as follows: A, n = 3,101 (3.1%); B, n = 95,051 (93.7%); C, n = 2,856 (2.8%); D, n = 299 (0.3%); and E, n = 139 (0.1%). In group B, 49.2% of patients were aged >70 years, and half of them did not receive treatment within 4 months of diagnosis. In addition, only 30.9% of the patients were in the localized and regional stage in which surgical treatment was possible. Pancreatic cancer occurred more frequently in females than in males only in group C. Between 1999 and 2019, the average annual percentage changes in the age-specific incidence rates were positive in groups A (13.9%, P < 0.001), B (1.0%, P < 0.001), and C (6.5%, P = 0.025). Significant improvements in 5-year survival rates over time were observed in subtypes A, B, and C.
Conclusion
The subgroups of pancreatic cancer show different epidemiologic features, including incidences, treatment rates, and prognoses.
6.Factors Associated with Postoperative Recurrence in Stage I to IIIA Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation: Analysis of Korean National Population Data
Kyu Yean KIM ; Ho Cheol KIM ; Tae Jung KIM ; Hong Kwan KIM ; Mi Hyung MOON ; Kyongmin Sarah BECK ; Yang Gun SUH ; Chang Hoon SONG ; Jin Seok AHN ; Jeong Eun LEE ; Jae Hyun JEON ; Chi Young JUNG ; Jeong Su CHO ; Yoo Duk CHOI ; Seung Sik HWANG ; Chang Min CHOI ; Seung Hun JANG ; Jeong Uk LIM ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):83-94
Purpose:
Recent development in perioperative treatment of resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have changed the landscape of early lung cancer management. The ADAURA trial has demonstrated the efficacy of adjuvant osimertinib treatment in resectable NSCLC patients; however, studies are required to show which subgroup of patients are at a high risk of relapse and require adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. This study evaluated risk factors for postoperative relapse among patients who underwent complete resection.
Materials and Methods:
Data were obtained from the Korean Association for Lung Cancer Registry (KALC-R), a database created using a retrospective sampling survey by the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and the Lung Cancer Registration Committee.
Results:
A total of 3,176 patients who underwent curative resection was evaluated. The mean observation time was approximately 35.4 months. Among stage I to IIIA NSCLC patients, the EGFR-mutant subgroup included 867 patients, and 75.2%, 11.2%, and 11.8% were classified as stage I, stage II, and stage III, respectively. Within the EGFR-mutant subgroup, 44 (5.1%) and 121 (14.0%) patients showed early and late recurrence, respectively. Multivariate analysis on association with postoperative relapse among the EGFR-mutant subgroup showed that age, pathologic N and TNM stages, pleural invasion status, and surgery type were independent significant factors.
Conclusion
Among the population that underwent complete resection for early NSCLC with EGFR mutation, patients with advanced stage, pleural invasion, or limited resection are more likely to show postoperative relapse.
8.Hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: an analysis of the 2016-2018 Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry
Jihyun AN ; Young CHANG ; Gwang Hyeon CHOI ; Won SOHN ; Jeong Eun SONG ; Hyunjae SHIN ; Jae Hyun YOON ; Jun Sik YOON ; Hye Young JANG ; Eun Ju CHO ; Ji Won HAN ; Suk Kyun HONG ; Ju-Yeon CHO ; Kyu-Won JUNG ; Eun Hye PARK ; Eunyang KIM ; Bo Hyun KIM
Journal of Liver Cancer 2025;25(1):109-122
Background:
s/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea. This study evaluated the characteristics of Korean patients newly diagnosed with HCC in 2016-2018.
Methods:
Data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a representative database of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in South Korea, were analyzed. This study investigated 4,462 patients with HCC registered in the KPLCR in 2016-2018.
Results:
The median patient age was 63 years (interquartile range, 55-72). 79.7% of patients were male. Hepatitis B infection was the most common underlying liver disease (54.5%). The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system classified patients as follows: stage 0 (14.9%), A (28.8%), B (7.5%), C (39.0%), and D (9.8%). The median overall survival was 3.72 years (95% confidence interval, 3.47-4.14), with 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of 71.3%, 54.1%, and 44.3%, respectively. In 2016-2018, there was a significant shift toward BCLC stage 0-A and Child-Turcotte-Pugh liver function class A (P<0.05), although survival rates did not differ by diagnosis year. In the treatment group (n=4,389), the most common initial treatments were transarterial therapy (31.7%), surgical resection (24.9%), best supportive care (18.9%), and local ablation therapy (10.5%).
Conclusions
Between 2016 and 2018, HCC tended to be diagnosed at earlier stages, with better liver function in later years. However, since approximately half of the patients remained diagnosed at an advanced stage, more rigorous and optimized HCC screening strategies should be implemented.
9.Epidemiology and survival analysis according to the histologic subtype of pancreatic cancer:a population-based cohort study
Hyeong Min PARK ; Mee Joo KANG ; Sang-Jae PARK ; Kyu-Won JUNG ; Sung-Sik HAN
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2025;108(1):20-30
Purpose:
This study investigated epidemiologic features of patients with pancreatic cancer in Korea, according to the histologic subtypes.
Methods:
The Korea Central Cancer Registry data on patients with pancreatic cancer from 1999 to 2019 were reviewed. The 101,446 patients with pancreatic cancer (C25 based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) were allocated according to the following morphological codes: A, endocrine; B, carcinoma excluding cystic and mucinous; C, cystic or mucinous; D, acinar cell; and E, sarcoma and soft tissue tumor.
Results:
The distribution of each pancreatic cancer subtype group in Korea from 1999 to 2019 was as follows: A, n = 3,101 (3.1%); B, n = 95,051 (93.7%); C, n = 2,856 (2.8%); D, n = 299 (0.3%); and E, n = 139 (0.1%). In group B, 49.2% of patients were aged >70 years, and half of them did not receive treatment within 4 months of diagnosis. In addition, only 30.9% of the patients were in the localized and regional stage in which surgical treatment was possible. Pancreatic cancer occurred more frequently in females than in males only in group C. Between 1999 and 2019, the average annual percentage changes in the age-specific incidence rates were positive in groups A (13.9%, P < 0.001), B (1.0%, P < 0.001), and C (6.5%, P = 0.025). Significant improvements in 5-year survival rates over time were observed in subtypes A, B, and C.
Conclusion
The subgroups of pancreatic cancer show different epidemiologic features, including incidences, treatment rates, and prognoses.
10.Factors Associated with Postoperative Recurrence in Stage I to IIIA Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation: Analysis of Korean National Population Data
Kyu Yean KIM ; Ho Cheol KIM ; Tae Jung KIM ; Hong Kwan KIM ; Mi Hyung MOON ; Kyongmin Sarah BECK ; Yang Gun SUH ; Chang Hoon SONG ; Jin Seok AHN ; Jeong Eun LEE ; Jae Hyun JEON ; Chi Young JUNG ; Jeong Su CHO ; Yoo Duk CHOI ; Seung Sik HWANG ; Chang Min CHOI ; Seung Hun JANG ; Jeong Uk LIM ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):83-94
Purpose:
Recent development in perioperative treatment of resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have changed the landscape of early lung cancer management. The ADAURA trial has demonstrated the efficacy of adjuvant osimertinib treatment in resectable NSCLC patients; however, studies are required to show which subgroup of patients are at a high risk of relapse and require adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. This study evaluated risk factors for postoperative relapse among patients who underwent complete resection.
Materials and Methods:
Data were obtained from the Korean Association for Lung Cancer Registry (KALC-R), a database created using a retrospective sampling survey by the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and the Lung Cancer Registration Committee.
Results:
A total of 3,176 patients who underwent curative resection was evaluated. The mean observation time was approximately 35.4 months. Among stage I to IIIA NSCLC patients, the EGFR-mutant subgroup included 867 patients, and 75.2%, 11.2%, and 11.8% were classified as stage I, stage II, and stage III, respectively. Within the EGFR-mutant subgroup, 44 (5.1%) and 121 (14.0%) patients showed early and late recurrence, respectively. Multivariate analysis on association with postoperative relapse among the EGFR-mutant subgroup showed that age, pathologic N and TNM stages, pleural invasion status, and surgery type were independent significant factors.
Conclusion
Among the population that underwent complete resection for early NSCLC with EGFR mutation, patients with advanced stage, pleural invasion, or limited resection are more likely to show postoperative relapse.

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