Cancer research and treatment : official journal of Korean Cancer Association
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Restaging after neoadjuvant treatment is done for planning the surgical approach and, increasingly, to determine whether additional therapy or resection can be avoided for selected patients. ⋯ APCT, rectal MRI, and TRUS are unreliable in restaging rectal cancer after nCRT. We think that multimodal assessment with rectal MRI and TRUS may be the best option for local restaging of locally advanced rectal cancer after nCRT.
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We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in Korean patients admitted with cancer pain. ⋯ The prevalence of BTcP was 29% in patients admitted with controlled BCP. Although the patients had well-controlled BCP, BTcP showed association with a lower quality of life in patients with cancer. More medical attention is needed for detection and management of BTcP.
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Cancer clinical trials in Korea have rapidly progressed in terms of quantity and quality during the last decade. This study evaluates the current status of cancer clinical trials in Korea and their associated problems. ⋯ The number of cancer clinical trials in Korea rapidly increased from 2007 to 2013, as has the number of multicenter clinical trials and IITs run by cooperative study groups. Limited funding for IIT is a serious problem, and more financial support is needed both from government agencies and public donations from non-profit organizations.
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Comparative Study
Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Cancer after Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy: Case-Matched Study of Short-Term Outcomes.
Robotic surgery is expected to have advantages over laparoscopic surgery; however, there are limited data regarding the feasibility of robotic surgery for rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Therefore, we evaluated the short-term outcomes of robotic surgery for rectal cancer. ⋯ In our study, short-term outcomes of robotic surgery for rectal cancer after CRT were similar to those of laparoscopic surgery in respect to bowel function recovery, morbidity, and TME quality. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to evaluate the functional results and long-term outcomes of robotic surgery for rectal cancer.
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We conducted a nationwide study to assess the incidence and treatment patterns of extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in South Korea. ⋯ This is the first nationwide study of the incidence and treatment patterns of extremity STS in Korea using two national databases (KNCI and HIRA), which include the entire Korean population. The results of this study may be useful for future planning and management of STS, at the national level.