Professor Oh Hyun of Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital Selected for Wolbong Academic Research Grant

A Total of 15 Million Won in Research Funding Over Two Years

Professor Oh Hyun of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital announced on December 1 that Professor Oh Hyun of the Department of Gastroenterology has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Wolbong Academic Research Grant, awarded by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Research Foundation. Through this selection, Professor Oh will receive a total of 15 million won in research funding over the next two years.

The research project led by Professor Oh is titled “Establishing Evidence for Safe Vertical Resection Margins After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) for T1 Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.”

This study aims to systematically analyze the correlation between pathological resection margin length and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent ESD for T1 colorectal cancer at tertiary hospitals in Korea from 2010 to last year, with the goal of clarifying the criteria for curative treatment.

The purpose is to provide clearer criteria for curative treatment following endoscopic resection in T1 colorectal cancer patients, and, in particular, to specify the conditions under which additional surgery may not be necessary for low-risk patients with favorable pathological findings.

By doing so, the study is expected to reduce unnecessary surgeries, thereby lowering the risk of complications and the burden of hospitalization for patients, and ultimately contributing to an improved quality of life.

The Wolbong Academic Research Grant is a prestigious academic program awarded by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy to encourage research by lifetime members and promote the advancement of the society. It supports research projects with high potential to contribute to the development of the field of gastroenterology.

Professor Oh Hyun’s research capabilities have also been recognized internationally. Recently, at the 8th International Meeting of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (IMKASID 2025), Professor Oh presented a multicenter retrospective study analyzing risk factors for residual cancer and lymph node metastasis after non-curative endoscopic resection of colorectal cancer, earning the Young Investigator Award.

This study was highly regarded for identifying factors that predict the possibility of residual cancer cells or lymph node metastasis in patients who did not meet the criteria for curative resection after endoscopic procedures, thereby providing practical standards for future treatment strategies.

Professor Oh Hyun stated, “The decision on whether to perform surgery after ESD significantly affects the treatment course and quality of life for patients. Through this research, I aim to present objective and highly reliable criteria for curative treatment and to provide evidence to reduce unnecessary surgeries and lessen the burden on patients.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.