Clinicopathologic characteristics of cancer of North Korean defectors

Purpose: In this study, we compared characteristics of cancer of North Korean defectors to South Korean. In order to clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics of cancer in North Korean defectors. Methods: This study is a retrospective study through chart review of patients diagnosed as cancer at National Medical Center from 2008 to 2013. Control group included South Korean cancer patients who were diagnosed as cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer at same hospital during same period. Two groups were analyzed and compared by sex, age, past medical history, cancer origin, cancer stage, and treatment. Results: Among 1,760 North Korean defector patient registered in National Medical Center, 61 patients were diagnosed as cancer, which was 3.5%. Cervical cancer (19.7%), thyroid cancer (19.7%), liver cancer (14.1%) and stomach cancer (10.3%) were 4 most frequent cancer. In South Korean cancer patient, percentage was as follows: thyroid cancer (33.7%), stomach cancer (7.8%), liver cancer (7.3%), cervical cancer (3.7%). Conclusion: Cancers closely related to socio-economic status, such as cervical cancer and hepatitis-B related liver cancer, were relatively more frequent in North Korean defectors than South Koreans. As for cancers in which early diagnosis is important such as thyroid cancer and stomach cancer, there were no significant differences in age-prevalence, disease course and treatment.