Seok Won Kim

Bio: Seok Won Kim is an academic researcher from Chosun University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Breast cancer & Back pain. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 152 publications receiving 1289 citations.

Extent of Routine Central Lymph Node Dissection With Small Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract: The indications for and extent of routine lymph node dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the extent of central lymph node dissection (CLND) and the therapeutic effects and potential risks in patients with a small PTC. A total of 103 patients with a PTC <2 cm who underwent total thyroidectomy with routine CLND were divided into those who underwent routine bilateral CLND (group I) and those with ipsilateral CLND (group II). Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the extent of lymph node metastasis and postthyroidectomy serum thyroglobulin concentration. Patients with postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia were considered to have postoperative hypoparathyroidism and received calcium/vitamin D therapy. Altogether, 12 of 21 patients (57.1%) in group I and 48 of 75 (64.0%) in group II had postthyroidectomy serum thyroglobulin concentrations <1.0 ng/ml; furthermore, 17 of 21 (81.0%) in group I and 60 of 75 (80.0%) in group II had concentrations <2.0 ng/ml. Hypocalcemia symptoms were identified in 12 of 25 patients (48.0%) in group I and in 16 of 78 (20.5%) in group II (p = 0.009). The extent of the CLND did not influence the therapeutic effects in patients with small PTCs, but those who underwent bilateral CLND showed an increased rate of transient hypoparathyroidism. These findings indicate that the more conservative routine CLND is as safe as more extensive CLND for patients with a small PTC.

Risk Factors of Hypoparathyroidism Following Total Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer

Abstract: Background The risk factors responsible for hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy have not been completely defined. The present study evaluated one surgeon’s personal experience of postoperative hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer and predisposing risk factors of postoperative hypoparathyroidism.

Health-related quality of life in survivors with breast cancer 1 year after diagnosis compared with the general population: a prospective cohort study.

Abstract: Objective: To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of disease-free breast cancer survivors at the time of diagnosis and 1 year later with that of the general population (GP) and to examine the predictors of HRQOL change. Background: Although studies that examine the changes HRQOL in breast cancer survivors with cohort design is increasing, few studies compared the HRQOL of breast cancer survivors from baseline (immediately after diagnosis) with that of the GP. Methods: We administered European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and Quality of Life Questionnaire BR23 HRQOL immediately after diagnosis to evaluate a population-based cohort of 286 women with breast cancer. We compared HRQOL scores of subjects internally and with reference data from the GP externally. Results: We found no significant change in HRQOL internally except for diarrhea. In the external comparison, however, breast cancer survivors reported poorer HRQOL scores than the GP at baseline and a year later; clinically meaningful detriments were found for emotional and social functioning and for the symptoms of fatigue and insomnia, financial difficulties, and most of the breast cancer-specific domains (P < 0.01 for all). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that menopausal status and the sociodemographic characteristics of education level, employment status, and physical activity at baseline and increased symptom problems were significantly associated with functioning changes. Conclusion: Immediately after the diagnosis of breast cancer, patients reported a lower HRQOL than the GP, and they continued to do so a year later. Increased levels of fatigue, pain, and insomnia were the main symptoms responsible.

Comparison of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Guided by the Multimodal Method of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence, Radioisotope, and Blue Dye Versus the Radioisotope Method in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the identification rate and surgery time of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) by a multimodal method (MMM) using a mixture of indocyanine green (ICG), radioisotope (RI), and blue dye (BD) compared with the RI alone. In this phase II randomized study, 86 patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer were enrolled and received SLNB with either MMM or RI. We compared the identification rate, number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), and detection time of SLNB and evaluated the safety. The mean age of the MMM group and RI group was 48.2 and 51.0 years (p = 0.12), respectively. There were no differences in histopathologic factors, including tumor size, node positivity, and hormone receptor positivity between groups. SLNs were identified in all patients of both groups (100 % in the MMM group and 100 % in the RI group). The average number of SLNs in the MMM group was more than that in the RI group (3.4 ± 1.37 vs. 2.3 ± 1.04, respectively; p < 0.001). The time to detect the first sentinel lymph node was similar in each group (6.5 ± 5.16 vs. 8.0 ± 4.35 min; p = 0.13). In the MMM group, percutaneous lymphatic drainage was visualized by fluorescent imaging in 90.7 % (39 of 43 patients). During and after the operation, there were no complications, including allergic reactions, skin staining, or necrosis. This study is the first randomized trial that compared MMM using ICG, RI, and BD and the conventional RI method for SLNB. MMM is a feasible and safe method for SLNB.

Social support and depressive mood 1 year after diagnosis of breast cancer compared with the general female population: a prospective cohort study

Abstract: Social support may influence the impact of stressful life events on breast cancer patients’ psychological state. However, the precise status of depressive mood in breast cancer during the first year after diagnosis is not yet known. Perceived social support, health-related quality of life, and depressive mood were assessed at enrollment and 1 year after breast cancer diagnosis in 286 women newly diagnosed with stages I–III breast cancer. Breast cancer patients’ social support and depressive mood at diagnosis and 1 year after diagnosis were compared with the general female population (GFP), and predictors of worsened depressive mood were identified. All subscales of social support and depressive mood among breast cancer patients were significantly lower at one after diagnosis than at diagnosis (all p < 0.001). At diagnosis, breast cancer patients reported better emotional (p = 0.004), informational (p = 0.006), and affectionate support (p = 0.002), and poorer depressive mood (p < 0.001) than the GFP. After 1 year, however, perceived social support in breast cancer patients was significantly decreased and depressive mood was significantly improved, becoming similar to scores of the GFP. Only tangible support was significantly lower than the GFP at 1 year after diagnosis (p = 0.028). Hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis for best fitting the model statistically and clinically indicated that decreased emotional support, transition to post-menopausal status, impaired role functioning, and financial difficulties predicted deteriorated depressive mood. Breast cancer patients might have greater control over tangible support than any other type of social support. Together with the transition to post-menopausal status, decreased perceived emotional social support was the best predictor of depressive mood among breast cancer patients during the first year after diagnosis.

2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: The American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Abstract: Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiated thyroid cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since the American Thyroid Association's (ATA's) guidelines for the management of these disorders were revised in 2009, significant scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, researchers, and health policy makers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods: The specific clinical questions addressed in these guidelines were based on prior versions of the guidelines, stakeholder input, and input of task force members. Task force panel members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database searching, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Published English language articles on adults were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians Guideline Gr...

Revised American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Abstract: Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiated thyroid cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since the publication of the American Thyroid Association's guidelines for the management of these disorders was published in 2006, a large amount of new information has become available, prompting a revision of the guidelines. Methods: Relevant articles through December 2008 were reviewed by the task force and categorized by topic and level of evidence according to a modified schema used by the United States Preventative Services Task Force. Results: The revised guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules include recommendations regarding initial evaluation, clinical and ultrasound criteria for fine-needle aspiration biopsy, interpretation of fine-needle aspiration biopsy results, and management of benign thyroid nodules. Recommendations regarding the initial management of thyroid cancer include those relating to optimal surgical management, radioiodine remnant ablation, a...

Palbociclib in Hormone-Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer

Abstract: BackgroundGrowth of hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer is dependent on cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), which promote progression from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle. We assessed the efficacy of palbociclib (an inhibitor of CDK4 and CDK6) and fulvestrant in advanced breast cancer. MethodsThis phase 3 study involved 521 patients with advanced hormone-receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer that had relapsed or progressed during prior endocrine therapy. We randomly assigned patients in a 2:1 ratio to receive palbociclib and fulvestrant or placebo and fulvestrant. Premenopausal or perimenopausal women also received goserelin. The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival. Secondary end points included overall survival, objective response, rate of clinical benefit, patient-reported outcomes, and safety. A preplanned interim analysis was performed by an independent data and safety monitoring committee af...