Soo Kee Min

Expression of S100A2 and S100B proteins in epithelial tumors of the skin.

Background:u2002 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of Ca2+‐binding S100 proteins, S100A2 and S100B, in normal skin. These immunohistochemical stain patterns were compared with those in a variety of epithelial tumors.

Increased expression of p63 and survivin in cholesteatomas.

Conclusion. This study showed increased expression of p63 and survivin in cholesteatoma. Our finding indicates a putative role of p63 and survivin in the development of certain cholesteatomas. Objectives. Keratinocytes in cholesteatoma demonstrate uncoordinated hyperproliferation, migration, and invasion properties. p63 is a p53 homologue and a marker expressed in replicating keratinocytes. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein that is abundantly expressed in most solid and hematologic malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential expression of p63 and survivin in human middle ear cholesteatoma epithelium. Materials and methods. The expression levels of p63 and survivin protein were examined by immunohistochemical analysis of 40 cholesteatomas and 5 skin tissues obtained from patients during ear surgery. Results. Expression of p63 protein was diffusely observed in entire samples of cholesteatoma, especially in acquired cholesteatoma, compared with the control group. Congenital cholesteatoma showed variable p63 reactivity in a basal cell-like pattern. Primary and recurrent cholesteatomas showed no significant difference in p63 expression. Survivin was detected in 31 of 40 cholesteatoma samples. Acquired cholesteatomas showed especially increased survivin expression compared with congenital cases. The expression of p63 was correlated with survivin expression.

Characteristics of Cutaneous Lymphomas in Korea According to the New WHO-EORTC Classification: Report of a Nationwide Study

Background Previously, cutaneous lymphomas were classified according to either the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) classification paradigms. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of Korean cutaneous lymphoma according to the new WHO-EORTC classification system. Methods A total of 517 patients were recruited during a recent 5 year-period (2006-2010) from 21 institutes and classified according to the WHO-EORTC criteria. Results The patients included 298 males and 219 females, and the mean age at diagnosis was 49 years. The lesions preferentially affected the trunk area (40.2%). The most frequent subtypes in order of decreasing prevalence were mycosis fungoides (22.2%), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (17.2%), CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (13.7%), and extranodal natural killer/T (NK/T) cell lymphoma, nasal type (12.0%). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accounted for 11.2% of cases, half of which were secondary cutaneous involvement; other types of B-cell lymphoma accounted for less than 1% of cases. Conclusions In comparison with data from Western countries, this study revealed relatively lower rates of mycosis fungoides and B-cell lymphoma in Korean patients, as well as higher rates of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma and NK/T cell lymphoma.

Invasion Depth Measured in Millimeters is a Predictor of Survival in Patients with Distal Bile Duct Cancer: Decision Tree Approach.

BackgroundAJCC staging system is unreliable for predicting survival in distal bile duct (DBD) cancer patients, due to inter-observer variation. Measured depth of invasion (DOI) is suggested to be more accurate to predict patients’ clinical outcome in extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinomas, but its significance in DBD cancer and cutoff values are still debatable. This study aimed to identify the optimal cutoff value of DOI in relation to prognosis in DBD cancer patients.MethodsData of 179 patients with DBD adenocarcinoma treated in three institutions were investigated. Under microscopic review, DOI was measured. The relationships between the clinicopathological parameters and the groups based on DOI (≤3; 3–10; >10xa0mm) were evaluated, and the survival times of each group based on DOI and T classification were compared.ResultsDeeply invading tumors exhibited a greater tendency toward the infiltrative type, high histological grade, AJCC stage, and pancreatic, duodenal, lymphovascular and perineural invasion. The measured DOI was significantly correlated with worse relapse-free and overall survival (all pxa0<xa00.05). In multivariate analyses, the DOI remained as one of the prognostic factors (all pxa0<xa00.05), while T classification was not a significant prognostic factor. The new prognostic models (low, intermediate, and high risk) that applied DOI and nodal metastasis showed significant difference in recurrence and survival rate (all pxa0<xa00.05).ConclusionsOn the basis of the proposed cutoff value, the DOI could be clear and meaningful, overcoming the vagueness of the T classification for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with DBD carcinoma.

Osteosarcoma of the ethmoid sinus

A rare case of chondroblastic osteosarcoma arising from the ethmoid sinus is reported. The patient, a 34-year-old woman, presented with diminished visual acuity of the left eye. CT and MR imaging showed a heterogeneous left-sided nasoethmoidal mass destroying the medial orbital wall. Biopsy revealed a chondroblastic osteosarcoma containing malignant chondroid elements and calcified malignant osteoid. Treatment consisted of craniofacial resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy with symptomatic improvement. We briefly discuss ethmoidal osteosarcomas.

Treatment outcomes and predictors for systemic steroids in nasal polyposis.

Abstract Conclusion: Systemic steroids improve nasal symptoms such as sneezing, purulent rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction in patients with nasal polyposis, regardless of measurable response to systemic steroid. A history of allergic rhinitis is an independent prognostic factor for favorable response of nasal polyposis to systemic steroid. Overexpression of glucocorticoid receptor β is associated with glucocorticoid resistance. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate treatment outcomes and clinically useful predictive factors for systemic steroids in nasal polyposis. Methods: The study involved 47 consecutive patients diagnosed with nasal polyposis from December 2008 to May 2010. Twenty milligrams of prednisolone were administered daily for 14 days. The following parameters were analyzed: subjective nasal symptoms, history of allergic rhinitis and asthma, SNOT-20 score, olfactory function test, bronchial hyperreactivity, blood eosionophil count, atopy, Lund-Mackay score, tissue eosinophil infiltration ratio, and expression of glucocorticoid receptor α and β in the nasal polyp epithelium. Results: In all, 62% of the patients were responders, i.e. had a decreased polyp size >25% after treatment. SNOT-20 score tended to decrease for all patients but significantly only for the responder group (p < 0.01). Eighteen of the responders had a medical history of allergic rhinitis, but only five of the nonresponders did (p = 0.026, Odds ratio = 4.26). Responder group polyps showed significantly less immunoreactivity of glucocorticoid receptor β than polyps from the nonresponder group.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for appendiceal mucocele: a multicenter study

BackgroundAlthough laparoscopic appendectomy has been widely performed since 1987, concerns over potential spillage of mucus into the peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic manipulation have prevented the use of laparoscopic surgery (LS) for appendiceal mucocele. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and short-term perioperative outcomes of LS for appendiceal mucocele.MethodsA retrospective review was performed to identify patients diagnosed with appendiceal mucocele based on their imaging studies and who underwent surgery at one of six Hallym-University-affiliated hospitals between January 2007 and June 2016. Patient demographics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsA total of 96 patients were evaluated, of whom 58 underwent LS (LS group) and 38 underwent open surgery (OS; OS group). There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between groups. The operation time was similar in both groups (Pu2009=u20090.399). Intraoperative rupture occurred in two patients in each group (no significant difference, Pu2009=u20090.647). Time to flatus, time to soft food intake, and length of hospital stay were shorter in the LS group than in the OS group (2.4 vs. 3.2 days, Pu2009=u20090.003; 3.6 vs. 4.5 days, Pu2009=u20090.024; 6.5 vs. 8.8 days, Pu2009=u20090.011, respectively). The rate of postoperative complications was similar between the groups (Pu2009=u20090.786). Univariate analysis revealed that rupture of appendiceal mucocele was associated with white blood cell countu2009>u200910,000/µL (Pu2009=u20090.032) but not with LS (Pu2009=u20090.647).ConclusionsThe results showed that LS is safe and feasible for the surgical treatment of appendiceal mucocele. An elevated WBC count was associated with a risk of appendiceal mucocele rupture.