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Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics and treatment pattern of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) in Korea and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage. Materials and Methods Medical records of 308 cases of from 21 institutions were reviewed and data including age, performance status, endometriosis, thromboembolism, stage, cancer antigen 125, treatment, recurrence, and death were collected. Results Regarding stage of OCCC, it was stage I in 194 (63.6%), stage II in 34 (11.1%), stage III in 66 (21.6%), and stage IV in 11 (3.6%) patients. All patients underwent surgery. Optimal surgery (residual disease ≤ 1 cm) was achieved in 89.3%. Majority of patients (80.5%) received postoperative chemotherapy. The most common regimen was taxane-platinum combination (96%). Median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 138.5 months for stage I, 33.4 for stage II, 19.3 for stage III, and 9.7 for stage IV. Median overall survival (OS) were not reached, 112.4, 48.7, and 18.3 months for stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Early-stage (stage I), endometriosis, and optimal debulking were identified as favorable prognostic factors for RFS. Early-stage and optimal debulking were also favorable prognostic factors for OS. Majority of patients with early-stage received adjuvant chemotherapy. However, additional survival benefit was not found in terms of recurrence. Conclusion Majority of patients had early-stage and received postoperative chemotherapy regardless of stage. Early-stage and optimal debulking were identified as favorable prognostic factors. In stage IA or IB, adding adjuvant chemotherapy did not show difference in survival. Further study focusing on OCCC is required.

ObjectiveThe accurate estimation of expected survival in terminal cancer patients is important. The palliative performance scale (PPS) is an important factor in predicting survival of hospice patients. The purpose of this study was to examine how initial status of PPS and changes in PPS affect the survival of hospice patients in Korea.MethodWe retrospectively examined 315 patients who were admitted to our hospice unit between January 2017 and December 2018. The patients were divided based on the PPS of ≥50% (group A) and ≤40% (group B). We performed survival analysis for factors associated with the length of survival (LOS) in group A. Based on the hospice team's weekly evaluation of PPS, we examined the effect of initial levels and changes in group A on the prognosis of patients who survived for 2 weeks or more.ResultsAt the time of admission to hospice, 265 (84.1%) patients were PPS ≥50%, and 50 (15.9%) were PPS ≤40%. The median LOS of PPS ≥50% and PPS ≤40% were 15 (2–158 days) and 9 (2–43 days), respectively. Male, gastrointestinal cancer, and lower initial PPS all predicted poor prognosis in group A. Male, gastrointestinal cancer, and a PPS change of 10% or greater, compared with initial status 1 week and 2 weeks of hospitalization, were all predictors of poor prognosis in group A patients who survived for 2 weeks or longer.Significance of resultsOur research demonstrates the significance of PPS change at 1 week and 2 weeks, suggesting the importance of evaluating not only initial PPS but also change in PPS.

Background/aims Colorectal cancer (CRC) rate increases with aging. Aging-related proteins, such as sirtuins (SIRTs) may be a potential therapeutic target in the elderly patients with CRC. The clinical implications of SIRT1 and SIRT2 have not been reported for elderly patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of expression of SIRT1 and SIRT2 on clinical outcome in two extreme age groups of patients with CRC. Methods The expression of SIRT1 and SIRT2 were evaluated in CRC tissues of 101 patients aged ≥ 80 years and 29 patients aged ≤ 40 years by immunohistochemistry. We defined the patients aged ≥ 80 years as the very elderly and patients aged ≤ 40 years as the young patients. Correlations between the expression of these proteins and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Results The prognosis for the very elderly patients with high expressions of SIRT1 was significantly worse than that for patients showing low expression (median survival, 24.9 months vs. 38.6 months, p = 0.027) whereas high expression of SIRT2 better prognosis (median survival, 37.9 months vs. 17.3 months, p = 0.006). However, the young patients did not show any difference in prognosis according to expression of SIRT1 and SIRT2. In multivariate analysis, high SIRT1 expression retained statistical significance as a poor prognostic factor in the very elderly patients with CRC. Conclusion The results suggest that high SIRT1 expression could be predictive of a poor outcome for very elderly patients with CRC.

Background: Liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (5-FU/LV) was effective and well-tolerated in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPAC) that progressed on gemcitabine-based therapy in the global NAPOLI-1 trial. Real-world data may further clarify the outcomes and safety profile of nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV in clinical practice. Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients with mPAC who received nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV following gemcitabine-based therapy under a Managed Access Program in Korea. Results: From January 2017 to April 2018, 86 patients across 10 institutions received nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV (median age, 61 years; 60% male; ECOG performance status, 0–1). A total of 35 (41%) and 51 (59%) patients had received less than two and two or more lines of chemotherapy before inclusion, respectively. At a median follow up of 6.4 months, median overall survival (OS) was 9.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.4–11.4) and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.5 months (95% CI 1.3–5.7). Six-month OS and PFS rates were 65.1% and 37.5%, respectively. Objective response and disease control rates were 10% and 55%, respectively. Most common grade 3–4 toxicities were neutropenia (37.2%), nausea (10.5%), vomiting (9.3%), anorexia (8.1%) and diarrhoea (4.7%). Conclusion: Real-life data for Korean patients indicate that, consistent with NAPOLI-1, nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV is effective and well-tolerated in patients with mPAC that progressed on gemcitabine-based therapy.

Purpose Breast cancer treatment has progressed significantly over the past 20 years. However, knowledge regarding male breast cancer (MBC) is sparse because of its rarity. This study is an investigation of the clinicopathologic features, treatments, and clinical outcomes of MBC. Materials and methods Clinical records of 59 MBC patients diagnosed during 1995-2014 from seven institutions in Korea were reviewed retrospectively. Results Over a 20-year period, MBC patients accounted for 0.98% among total breast cancer patients, and increased every 5 years. The median age of MBC patientswas 66 years (range, 24 to 87 years). Forty-three patients (73%) complained of a palpable breast mass initially. The median symptom duration was 5 months (range, 1 to 36 months). Mastectomy was performed in 96% of the patients. The most frequent histology was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (75%). Ninety-one percent of tumors (38/43) were estrogen receptor-positive, and 28% (11/40) showed epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) overexpression. After curative surgery, 42% of patients (19/45) received adjuvant chemotherapy; 77% (27/35) received hormone therapy. Five out of ten patients with HER-2 overexpressing tumors did not receive adjuvant anti-HER-2 therapy, while two out of four patients with HER-2 overexpressing tumors received palliative trastuzumab for recurrent and metastatic disease. Letrozole was used for one patient in the palliative setting. The median overall survival durations were 7.2 years (range, 0.6 to 17.0 years) in patients with localized disease and 2.9 years (range, 0.6 to 4.3 years) in those with recurrent or metastatic disease. Conclusion Anti-HER-2 and hormonal therapy, except tamoxifen, have been underutilized in Korean MBC patients compared to female breast cancer patients. With the development of precision medicine, active treatment with targeted agents should be applied. Further investigation of the unique pathobiology of MBC is clinically warranted.

Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are heterogenous tumors which are composed of thymoma (TM) and thymic carcinoma (TC). We attempted to determine differences in gene expression between TM and TC, and to determine the effect of such genes on the prognosis of patients with TET.Gene expression profiles of SOX2, OCT-4, IGF-1, IGF-1R and IR mRNA transcripts in tumor tissues of TM and TC were determined using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). We constructed tissue microarray with 140 paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) for IGF-1R-related signaling molecules, including SOX2, IGF-1, IGF-1R and pAKT.SOX2 mRNA expression was notably higher (216-fold) in TCs than in TMs. However, there was no significant difference in expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, OCT-4 or IR between the two tumor types. In IHC results, SOX2 (HR: 7.57, P = 0.001) and IGF-1 (HR: 9.43, P = 0.001) expression levels in TC were significantly higher than those in TM. There was a significant correlation in expression of SOX2 with IGF-1 (P = 0.021) and pAKT (P = 0.026). In univariate analysis, clinical TNM stage, WHO classification, serum LDH, expression of SOX2, IGF-1R, IGF-1 and pAKT, were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis using a forward-selection procedure revealed that clinical N stage (HR: 4.08, P 0.001), M stage (HR: 3.37, P = 0.001) and SOX2 expression (HR: 4.53, P = 0.010) were significantly associated with OS.SOX2 is expressed significantly higher in TC than in TM. SOX2 expression is also closely related to IGF-1 and pAKT expression. The higher expression of SOX2 is significantly associated with shorter survival in patients with TET.

A 56-year-old female was referred to our hospital due to a mass measuring 5 cm in size in the left pelvic cavity, which was found incidentally during a health examination by ultrasonography. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and the mass was located at the left retroperitoneal parametrium without invasion of the uterus and ovary. The pathology report confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Even after further studies, we did not find any other primary lesion. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA chip test (HPV 9G DNA Membrane Kit, Biometrixtechnology Inc.) showed that the surgical specimen was positive for HPV 18. She received adjuvant chemotherapy and would receive radiation therapy for the possibility of occult gynecologic cancer. Retroperitoneal squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary is extremely rare and little is known about it. It is reported that HPV may be associated with the disease. Hence, the result of HPV test could have an impact on finding a suspicious primary lesion and treatment modality in this case.

Purpose This study investigated setup error and effectiveness of weekly image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) of TomoDirect for early breast cancer. Materials and Methods One hundred and fifty-one breasts of 147 consecutive patients who underwent breast conserving surgery followed by whole breast irradiation using TomoDirect in 2012 and 2013 were evaluated. All patients received weekly IGRT. The weekly setup errors from simulation to each treatment in reference to chest wall and surgical clips were measured. Random, systemic, and 3-dimensional setup errors were assessed. Extensive setup error was defined as 5 mm above the margin in any directions. Results All mean errors were within 3 mm of all directions. The mean angle of gantry shifts was 0.6°. The mean value of absolute 3-dimensional setup error was 4.67 mm. In multivariate analysis, breast size (odds ratio, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 7.90) was a significant factor for extensive error. The largest significant deviation of setup error was observed in the first week of radiotherapy (p < 0.001) and the deviations gradually decreased with time. The deviation of setup error was 5.68 mm in the first week and within 5 mm after the second week. Conclusion In this study, there was a significant association between breast size and significant setup error in breast cancer patients who received TomoDirect. The largest deviation occurred in the first week of treatment. Therefore, patients with large breasts should be closely observed on every fraction and fastidious attention is required in the first fraction of IGRT.

Purpose To date, the risk factors for central venous port-related bloodstream infection (CVPBSI) in solid cancer patients have not been fully elucidated. We conducted this study in order to determine the risk factors for CVP-BSI in patients with solid cancer. Materials and Methods A total of 1,642 patients with solid cancer received an implantable central venous port for delivery of chemotherapy between October 2008 and December 2011 in a single center. CVP-BSI was diagnosed in 66 patients (4%). We selected a control group of 130 patients, who were individually matched with respect to age, sex, and catheter insertion time. Results CVP-BSI occurred most frequently between September and November (37.9%). The most common pathogen was gram-positive cocci (n=35, 53.0%), followed by fungus (n=14, 21.2%). Multivariate analysis identified monthly catheter-stay as a risk factor for CVP-BSI (p=0.000), however, its risk was lower in primary gastrointestinal cancer than in other cancer (p=0.002). Initial metastatic disease and long catheter-stay were statistically significant factors affecting catheter life span (p=0.005 and p=0.000). Results of multivariate analysis showed that recent transfusion was a risk factor for mortality in patients with CVP-BSI (p=0.047). Conclusion In analysis of the results with respect to risk factors, prolonged catheter-stay should be avoided as much as possible. It is necessary to be cautious of CVP-BSI in metastatic solid cancer, especially non-gastrointestinal cancer. In addition, avoidance of unnecessary transfusion is essential in order to reduce the mortality of CVP-BSI. Finally, considering the fact that confounding factors may have affected the results, conduct of a well-designed prospective controlled study is warranted.

344 Background: Nal-IRI plus 5-FU/LV has demonstrated efficacy in mPDAC pts who previously received gemcitabine-based therapy in the pivotal NAPOLI-1 trial. Real-world data are helpful to measure the clinical outcomes and safety profile of this regimen in daily practice setting. Methods: Between January 2017 and April 2018, a Named Patient Program (NPP) was activated to provide controlled, pre-approval access of nal-IRI in Korea. This analysis is multicenter retrospective study for patients who received nal-IRI plus 5-FU/LV under the NPP. Results: A total of 86 patients entered into this NPP among 10 Korean institutions. Median age was 61 years (range, 37-79) and 52 pts (60%) were male. Liver (n=49, 57%), peritoneum (30, 35%), and lung (27, n=31%) were the most common metastatic sites. All patients had ECOG performance status 0-1 and previously received gemcitabine-based therapy. Prior to nal-IRI plus 5-FU/LV, 35 (41%) and 51 (59%) patients received

The efficacy of second-line chemotherapy for relapsed primary peritoneal serous carcinoma has been numerously reported, but reports on durable response after second-line therapy have been rare. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with relapsed primary peritoneal serous carcinoma who showed durable response after just one cycle of second-line belotecan-based therapy. The response might be a complete pathologic remission. Considering the fact that our patient suffered from neutropenic sepsis during her treatment, we concluded that belotecan-based chemotherapy could be a good option for second-line chemotherapy in some selected patients, so patient selection should be carefully performed due to the toxicity of belotecan.

8578Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are consisted of thymoma(TM) and thymic carcinoma(TC). They are rare heterogeneous tumors with a broad spectrum of clinical characteristics. Although ...

486 Background: There is no estabilished consensus about chemoradiation therapy for resected cholangiocarcinoma, and many studies are ongoing. We tried to cofirm the effectiveness and side effects of chemoradiation after operation of cholangiocarcinoma and find the prognostic factors. Methods: We found the patients with cholangiocarcinoma who receieved chemoradiation after surgery between 2002 and 2015 from two hospitals in South Korea. We checked the baseline chareacteristics, efficacy and toxicities. And we tried to identify the prognostic factors for recurrence by statistical anaylsis. Results: We retrospectivally studied 51 cholangiocarcinoma patients. Median age was 64 (range 48-83), and Men was 30 patients (58.8%) of them. By location, there were 10 (19,6%) intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, 13 (25.5%) hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and 28 (54.9%) extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. All patient received 5-FU chemoradiation after surgery. R0 resections were 31 (60.8%), R1 resections were 20 (39.2%) There was recurrence with 35 (68.6%) patients. Median relapse free survival was 292 (range 86-1769) days. Locoregional recurrence were 16 (31.4%), and distant recurrences were 26 (51.0%). For hematological toxicity, the patients showed grade 3 toxicities, as leukopenia 5 (9.8%), anemia 1 (2.0%) , thrombocytopenia 1 (2.0%). For non-hematological toxicities, there were G3 toxicities as Infection 2 (4.0%), nausea/vomiting 1 (2.0%), Adhesive ileus 1 (2.0%), bleeding 1 (2.0%). For multivariate analysis, Tumor site (HR 1.88 (95% CI 1.09-3.23). P = 0.022) and modality of radiation therapy (HR 13.27 (95% CI, 3.56-49.50)), P < 0.001) were statistically meaningful factors. Conclusions: Although this is a retrospective study, we found that the result of chemoradiation therapy for some patients showed good efficacy and tolerable toxicity. We could consider chemoradiation for adjuvant therapy in cholangiocarcinoma, especially for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. And intensity-modulated radiation therapy should be performed than three-dimensional radiation therapy in cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Because many physicians seem reluctant to recommend splenectomy for elderly patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), we investigated the safety and efficacy of splenectomy and the predictive factors for response in these patients. Methods: 184 patients with primary ITP were retrospectively analyzed based on age at splenectomy: an elderly group (≥60 years, n = 52) and a younger group (Results: There was no difference in the response rate of elderly versus younger patients (80.7 vs. 80.3%, p = 0.466). Relapse (45.2 vs. 22.6%, p = 0.006), complications, and median postoperative stay (9.5 vs. 7 days, p = 0.019) were significantly higher in the elderly group. The 5-year relapse-free survival of responders was 51.8% in the elderly group and 76.3% in the younger group (p = 0.002). Response to any treatment before splenectomy (HR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.24-6.80, p = 0.014) and platelet count on postoperative day 14 ≥200 × 109/l (HR 31.43, 95% CI: 4.15-238.28, p = 0.001) were independent factors for a favorable response. Conclusions: Age ≥60 years did not influence the response to splenectomy but was associated with increased relapse and postoperative complications. Splenectomy could provide a durable long-term response for elderly ITP patients.

Bans on TBT based antifouling paints have been drafted since 1998 by meetings 42, 43, 45 and 46 for the MEPC (Marine Environmental Protection Committee) of the International Marine Organization, and decided finally at a Diplomatic Conference of IMO in October 2001. It was a key issue that there should be a global prohibition on the application of organo-tin compounds as biocides in Anti-fouling systems by Jan. 2003, and a complete prohibition on the presence of organo-tin compounds on ships by 1 Jan. 2008. This paper suggests a method to design International Anti-fouling system cretificate, Record of anti-fouling system, Endorsement of the Records, Declaration on Anti-fouling System, Port State Control and reform(legislative) associated a law.

We evaluate the correlation of clinical staging on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and pathologic staging and the prognostic value of PET-CT after induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We analyzed 42 cases of clinical stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC who receive 2 to 4 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy with or without radiation followed by curative resection. The maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the suspected lesion on PET-CT was recorded. PET-CT findings after induction chemotherapy were compared with those of initial PET-CT and pathology after surgery. The accuracy of PET-CT in restaging of the primary tumor after induction chemotherapy was 50.0%. Eighteen (42.8%) of 42 patients were underestimated ycT stage, and 3 (7.1%) of 42 patients was overestimated ycT stage by PET-CT scan. The accuracy of PET-CT in restaging of the nodal disease was 71.4%. Six (14.3%) of 42 patients were underestimated ycN stage, and 6 (14.3%) of 42 patients were overestimated ycN stage as compared with pathologic staging. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate were 68.5% and 40.9%, respectively. Complete responders (ycT0N0M0) on PET-CT after induction chemotherapy had a significantly longer RFS time than did incomplete responders (28.3 vs 9.1 months, P = 0.021). Complete response on PET-CT after induction chemotherapy with or without radiation was a good prognosticator for RFS in stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients who received surgery. However, response evaluation on PET-CT after induction chemotherapy should be interpreted with caution due to its unacceptable accuracy.

A 67-year-old male presented with left temporal hemianopsia and left hemiparesis. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image revealed a 4.5×3.5×5.0 cm rim-enhancing mass with central necrosis and associated edema located in the left occipital lobe. Of positron emission tomography and abdominal computed tomography, a 9–cm mass with poor enhancement was found in the right hepatic lobe. Craniotomy and right hemihepatectomy was performed. The resected specimen showed histological features and immunochemical staining consistent with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Four months later, the tumors recurred in the brain, liverand spinal cord. Palliative chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin led to complete remission of recurred lesions, but the patient died for pneumonia. This is the first case of a metastatic brain NET originating from the liver. If the metastatic NET of brain is suspicious, investigation for primary lesion should be considered including liver.

Background The clinical characteristics of elderly patients with AML differ from those of younger patients, resulting in poorer survival and treatment outcomes. We analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of AML patients 65 years old and above to describe patients' characteristics and treatment patterns, and to define meaningful prognostic factors of survival in the Korean population. Methods Basic patients' characteristics, clinical outcomes according to treatments, and prognostic factors associated with survival and treatment intensity were examined in a total of 168 patients diagnosed in 5 institutes between 1996 and 2012 as having AML. Results Herein, 84 patients (50.0%) received high-intensity regimens (HIR), 18 (10.7%) received low-intensity regimens (LIR), and 66 (39.3%) received supportive care (SC) only. The median survival of all patients was 4.5 months; and median survival times with HIR, LIR, and SC were 6.8 months, 10.2 months, and 1.6 months, respectively. Median survival times with HIR and LIR were significantly longer than that with SC (P

e14558 Background: Although many clinical trials of newly developed chemotherapeutic drugs have been conducted, limited studies have focused on gastric cancer patients specifically diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) without measurable regions. In the current study, we characterized the outcomes of systemic chemotherapy and prognostic factors for patients with gastric cancer PC, particularly in cases without measurable disease. Methods: Clinical data from 211 gastric cancer PC patients (137 without and 74 with measurable disease) subjected to systemic chemotherapy between January 2000 and December 2010 at a single center were reviewed. Results: Median OS rates of gastric cancer PC patients with no measurable disease were significantly longer than those of patients with measurable disease (18.2 vs 12.0 months, p=0.011). In multivariate analysis, poor PS (Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.33, 95% CI, 1.42-3.8, P=0.001), presence of metastatic lymphadenopathy (LAP) (HR=2.23, 95% CI, 1.42-3.5, p=0.002) and high-grade PC (HR=1.82, 95% CI, 1.09-3.04, p=0.025) were associated with significantly decreased OS. Combined with clinical PC grade and measurability of disease, median OS of patients with low-grade PC without measurable disease was 19.6 months (95% CI, 15.5-23.7 months). Median OS rates of 12.6, 13.7 and 6.8 months were estimated in high-grade PC without measurable disease, low-grade PC with measurable disease, and high-grade PC with measurable disease, respectively. Median OS of low-grade PC patients with no measurable disease was significantly higher than that of patients in all other groups (p=0.001, p=0.029 and p

e19614 Background: There are some known risk factors for deep vein thrombosis in cancer patients, such as primary site of cancer, white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT). We investigated the association between these factors and the overall survival as prognostic factor in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients. Methods: All the patients with gastrointestinal cancer, who developed deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism through the clinical course, were retrospectively reviewed between January 2009 and June 2011 at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. According to treatment, patients were classified into two groups; the chemotherapy group and the supportive care group. Results: Of the fifty-six patients, median age was sixty three year-old. Stomach cancer was most common 35% , pancreatic cancer 31%, colorectal cancer 19%, and biliary cancer was 15%. There were three pattern of thrombosis: 19 (34%) deep vein thrombosis (DVT) only, 12 (21%) pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) only, 25 (45%) combined DVT with PTE. WBC count above 11,000/µ° showed the poor overall survival than other group (median survival 3.4 months vs. 1.7 months, respectively, p=0.015) However, other risk factor did not show any significant association (Hb: p=0.521, PLT: p=0.295) In chemotherapy group, twelve (55%) patients had progressive disease and ten (45%) patients had stable disease at the time of thrombotic event. There was no statistically significant association between thrombosis and tumor response. The chemotherapy group had tendency of better survival outcome than the supportive care group without statistical significance (median survival 2.4 months vs. 5.3months, p=0.07). Conclusions: In GI cancer patients, elevated white blood cell count above 11,000/µ° can be important prognostic and risk factor for thrombosis with poor survival outcome. And the response of chemotherapy seemed to have no influence on thrombotic event during chemotherapy. This is very limited study due to small sample size and retrospective analysis, and heterogenous type of cancer. Further large study should be warranted to define the thrombotic risk factor as prognostic marker.

Pituitary stalk interruption and ectopic neurohypophysis seen on magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) are often associated with either isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency or combined anterior pituitary hormone deficiency, but their pathogenesis is not clear and the clinical data regarding these anatomical defect is limited. We experienced a 23-year-old male with the absence of secondary sexual characteristics and this was accompanied with pituitary stalk dysgenesis and ectopic neurohypophysis. He received growth hormone for a year when he was 12 years old due to his short stature. Sella MRI showed no visible pituitary stalk with minimal high signal change, suggesting ectopic neurohypophysis. The combined pituitary stimulation test revealed blunted responses of growth hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. For the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the patient was given testosterone intramuscularly and he gradually developed secondary sexual characteristics. We concluded that the hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency in this patient was caused by hypopituitarism due to pituitary stalk dysgenesis and ecopic nuerohypophysis. (Endocrinol Metab 26:67-71, 2011)

Left ventricle-coronary sinus fistula and left ventricular pseudoaneurysm are unusual and frightening complications after mitral valve replacement. A 27-year-old female patient underwent mitral valve replacement 5 years previously and trans-thoracic echocardiography showed an outpouching lesion at the atrioventricular groove. It was difficult to differentiate whether the lesion was a left ventricle-coronary sinus fistula or a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm by two-dimensional echocardiography. Cardiac computed tomography confirmed a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm compressing the coronary sinus.

Male patients with hypogonadism have an increased risk of developing rheumatic diseases. Most causes of hypogonadism related with rheumatic disease are karyotype abnormality such as Klinefelter’s syndrome or Turner’s syndrome and gonadal dysgenesis. A 24-year-old year male was admitted for pain of both hip joints that had worsened over 2 months. He had hip joint involvement from ankylosing spondylitis and did not show secondary sex characteristics. His sex hormones and gonadotropins levels indicated hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. The karyotype was 46 XY, and there was no obvious cause of hypogonadism. Here we report on clinical features of this first Korean case of primary hypogonadism accompanying ankylosing spondylitis. (J Korean Endocr Soc 23:352~357, 2008)

Purpose In order to provide effective hospice care, adequate length of survival (LOS) in hospice is necessary. However the reported average LOS is much shorter. Analysis of LOS in hospice has not been reported from Korea. We evaluated the duration of LOS and the factors associated with LOS at our hospice center. Materials and Methods We retrospectively examined 446 patients who were admitted to our hospice unit between January 2010 and December 2012. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis for analysis of factors associated with LOS. Results The median LOS was 9.5 days (range, 1 to 186 days). The LOS of 389 patients (86.8%) was< 1 month. At the time of admission to hospice, 112 patients (25.2%) were completely bedridden, 110 patients (24.8%) had mouth care only without intake, and 134 patients (30.1%) had decreased consciousness, from confusion to coma. The median time interval between the day of the last anticancer treatment and the day of hospice admission was 75 days. By analysis of the results of multivariate analysis, decreased intake and laboratory results showing increased total white blood cell (WBC), decreased platelet count, increased serum creatinine, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level were poor prognostic factors for survival in hospice. Conclusion Before hospice admission, careful evaluation of the patient’s performance, particularly the oral intake, and total WBC, platelet, creatinine, AST, ALT, and LDH level is essential, because these were strong predictors of shorter LOS. In the future, conduct of prospective controlled studies is warranted in order to confirm the relationship between potential prognostic factors and LOS in hospice.