Single-fraction stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy for primary and metastasic lung tumor:A new paradigm?

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy(SABR)is an effective technique comparable to surgery in terms of local control and efficacy in early stages of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and pulmonary metastasis.Several fractionation schemes have proven to be safe and effective,including the single fraction(SF)scheme.SF is an option costeffectiveness,more convenience and comfortable for the patient and flexible in terms of its management combined with systemic treatments.The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has driven this not new but underutilized paradigm,recommending this option to minimize patients’visits to hospital.SF SABR already has a long experience,strong evidence and sufficient maturity to reliably evaluate outcomes in peripheral primary NSCLC and there are promising outcomes in pulmonary metastases,making it a valid treatment option;although its use in central locations,synchronous and recurrencies tumors requires more prospective safety and efficacy studies.The SABR radiobiology study,together with the combination with systemic therapies,(targeted therapies and immunotherapy)is a direction of research in both advanced disease and early stages whose future includes SF.

Molecular targets and mechanisms of different aberrant alternative splicing in metastatic liver cancer

Metastasis remains a major challenge in the successful management of malignant diseases.The liver is a major site of metastatic disease and a leading cause of death from gastrointestinal malignancies such as colon,stomach,and pancreatic cancers,as well as melanoma,breast cancer,and sarcoma.As an important factor that influences the development of metastatic liver cancer,alternative splicing drives the diversity of RNA transcripts and protein subtypes,which may provide potential to broaden the target space.In particular,the dysfunction of splicing factors and abnormal expression of splicing variants are associated with the occurrence,progression,aggressiveness,and drug resistance of cancers caused by the selective splicing of specific genes.This review is the first to provide a detailed summary of the normal splicing process and alterations that occur during metastatic liver cancer.It will cover the role of alternative splicing in the mechanisms of metastatic liver cancer by examining splicing factor changes,abnormal splicing,and the contribution of hypoxia to these changes during metastasis.

Liver transplantation as an alternative for the treatment of non-resectable liver colorectal cancer: Advancing the therapeutic algorithm

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancerrelated mortality,with nearly half of the affected patients developing liver metastases.For three decades,liver resection(LR)has been the primary curative strategy,yet its applicability is limited to about 20%of cases.Liver transplantation(LT)for unresectable metastases was attempted unsuccessfully in the 1990s,with high rates of perioperative death and recurrence.There is now more interest in this strategy due to improvements in systemic therapies and surgical techniques.A significant study conducted by the Oslo group showed that patients receiving liver transplants had a 60%chance of survival after five years.Significantly better results have been achieved by using advanced imaging for risk stratification and further refining selection criteria,especially in the Norvegian SECA trials.This review carefully charts the development and history of LT as a treatment option for colorectal cancer liver metastases.The revolutionary path from the early days of exploratory surgery to the current situation of cautious optimism is traced,highlighting the critical clinical developments and improved patient selection standards that have made LT a potentially curative treatment for such challenging very well selected cases.

Liver transplantation as an alternative for the treatment of neuroendocrine liver metastasis: Appraisal of the current evidence

Background:Liver transplantation(LT)for neuroendocrine liver metastases(NELM)is still in debate.Studies comparing LT with liver resection(LR)for NELM are scarce,as patient selection is heterogeneous and experience is limited.The goal of this review was to provide a critical analysis of the evidence on LT versus LR in the treatment of NELM.Data sources:A scoping literature search on LT and LR for NELM was performed with PubMed,including English articles up to March 2023.Results:International guidelines recommend LR for NELM in resectable,well-differentiated tumors in the absence of extrahepatic metastatic disease with superior results of LR compared to systemic or liver-directed therapies.Advanced liver surgery has extended resectability criteria whilst entailing increased perioperative risk and short disease-free survival.In highly selected patients(based on the Milan criteria)with unresectable NELM,oncologic results of LT are promising.Prognostic factors include tumor biology(G1/G2)and burden,waiting time for LT,patient age and extrahepatic spread.Based on low-level evi-dence,LT for low-grade NELM within the Milan criteria resulted in improved disease-free survival and overall survival compared to LR.The benefits of LT were lost in patients beyond the Milan NELM-criteria.Conclusions:With adherence to strict selection criteria especially tumor biology,LT for NELM is becoming a valuable option providing oncologic benefits compared to LR.Recent evidence suggests even stricter selection criteria with regard to tumor biology.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and musculoskeletal system: A narrative literature review

Musculoskeletal alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are less common than liver-related complications.However,they can significantly impact the quality of life and overall prognosis of patients with HCC.The main obstacle in the clinical assessment of HCC-induced musculoskeletal alterations is related to effective and timely diagnosis because these complications are often asym-ptomatic and unapparent during routine clinical evaluations.This narrative literature review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the contem-porary literature related to the changes in the musculoskeletal system in patients with HCC,focusing on its clinical implications and underlying etiopathogenetic mechanisms.Osteolytic bone metastases are the most common skeletal alterations associated with HCC,which could be associated with an increased risk of low-trauma bone fracture.Moreover,previous studies reported that osteopenia,sarcopenia,and myosteatosis are associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.Even though low bone mineral density and sarcopenia are consistently reported as reliable predictors of pretransplantation and post-transplantation mortality in HCC patients,these complications are frequently overlooked in the clinical management of patients with HCC.Taken together,contemporary literature suggests that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for early recognition and clinical management of HCC-associated musculoskeletal alterations to improve patient prognosis.Further research into the mechanisms and treatment options for musculoskeletal complications is warranted to enhance our understanding and clinical management of this aspect of HCC.

A systematic review of cytoreductive prostatectomy outcomes and complications in oligometastatic disease

Objective: To analyze outcomes and complications of cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP) for oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa) in order to elucidate its role in this space.Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using three databases (Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science). The primary endpoints were oncologic outcomes. The secondary endpoints were complication rates and functional results.Results: In all studies, overall survival was better or at least comparable variable in the groups with CRP compared to no local treatment. The greatest benefit from CRP in 5-year overall survival in one study was 67.4% for CRP versus 22.5% for no local treatment. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) showed the same trend. Several authors found significant benefits from CSS in the CRP group: from 79% vs. 46% to 100% vs. 61%. CRP was a predictor of better CSS (hazard ratio 0.264, p=0.004). Positive surgical margin rates differed widely from 28.6% to 100.0%. Urinary continence in CRP versus RP for localized PCa was significantly lower (57.4% vs. 90.8%, p<0.0001). Severe incontinence occurred seldom (2.5%-18.6%). Total complication rates after CRP differed widely, from 7.0% to 43.6%. Rates of grades 1 and 2 events prevailed. Patients on ADT alone also showed a considerable number of complications varying from 5.9% to 57.7%.Conclusion: CRP improves medium-term cancer control in patients with oligometastatic PCa. The morbidity and complication rates of this surgery are comparable with other approaches, but postoperative incontinence rate is higher compared with RP for localized disease.

Colorectal cancer and dormant metastases:Put to sleep or destroy?

After reading the review by An et al“Biological factors driving colorectal cancer metastasis”,which covers the problem of the metastasis of colorectal cancer(CRC),I had a desire to discuss with readers one of the exciting problems associated with dormant metastases.Most deaths from CRCs are caused by metastases,which can be detected both at diagnosis of the primary tumor and several years or even decades after treatment.This is because tumor cells that enter the bloodstream can be destroyed by the immune system,cause metastatic growth,or remain dormant for a long time.Dormant tumor cells may not manifest themselves throughout a person’s life or,after some time and under appropriate conditions,may give rise to the growth of metastases.In this editorial,we will discuss the most important features of dormant metastases and the mechanisms of premetastatic niche formation,as well as factors that contribute to the activation of dormant metastases in CRCs.We will pay special attention to the possible mechanisms involved in the formation of circulating tumor cell complexes and the choice of therapeutic strategies that promote the dormancy or destruction of tumor cells in CRCs.

Incidence,Risk Factors,and Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Brain Metastases

Objective Brain metastases significantly impact the clinical course of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).This study aimed to examine the age-related incidence,demographics,and survival of patients with HCC and brain metastases.Methods Data of HCC patients from 2010 to 2015 in the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)Registry were screened for the presence of brain metastases.They were stratified by age and ethnicity.Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with brain metastases and those with overall survival(OS)and liver cancer-specific survival(CSS),respectively.Results A total of 141 HCC patients presenting with brain metastases were identified,accounting for 0.35% of all HCC patients and 2.37% of patients with metastatic disease.Among all HCC patients,the incidence rate was the highest among patients aged 30-49 years old(0.47%).Ethnicity was not associated with the presence of brain metastases at the time of HCC diagnosis.However,African-American patients presented with a significantly lower disease-specific survival[median time:1 month;interquartile range(IQR):0-3.0 months].Initial lung or bone metastasis was independently associated with an increased risk of the presence of brain metastases[odds ratio(OR):12.62,95% confidence interval(CI):8.40-18.97]but was not associated with a worse OS or CSS among those with brain metastases.Conclusion This study identified the age-related incidence and risk factors of brain metastases in HCC patients.These results may contribute to the consideration of brain screening among patients with initial metastatic HCC with lung or bone metastases,and influence the counseling of this patient population regarding their prognosis.

Risk stratification for radioactive iodine refractoriness using molecular alterations in distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

Objective: Patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC) are often diagnosed with delay and constrained to limited treatment options. The correlation between RAI refractoriness and the underlying genetic characteristics has not been extensively studied.Methods: Adult patients with distant metastatic DTC were enrolled and assigned to undergo next-generation sequencing of a customized 26-gene panel(Thyro Lead). Patients were classified into RAIR-DTC or non-RAIR groups to determine the differences in clinicopathological and molecular characteristics. Molecular risk stratification(MRS) was constructed based on the association between molecular alterations identified and RAI refractoriness, and the results were classified as high, intermediate or low MRS.Results: A total of 220 patients with distant metastases were included, 63.2% of whom were identified as RAIRDTC. Genetic alterations were identified in 90% of all the patients, with BRAF(59.7% vs. 17.3%), TERT promoter(43.9% vs. 7.4%), and TP53 mutations(11.5% vs. 3.7%) being more prevalent in the RAIR-DTC group than in the non-RAIR group, except for RET fusions(15.8% vs. 39.5%), which had the opposite pattern. BRAF and TERT promoter are independent predictors of RAIR-DTC, accounting for 67.6% of patients with RAIR-DTC. MRS was strongly associated with RAI refractoriness(P<0.001), with an odds ratio(OR) of high to low MRS of 7.52 [95%confidence interval(95% CI), 3.96-14.28;P<0.001] and an OR of intermediate to low MRS of 3.20(95% CI,1.01-10.14;P=0.041).Conclusions: Molecular alterations were associated with RAI refractoriness, with BRAF and TERT promoter mutations being the predominant contributors, followed by TP53 and DICER1 mutations. MRS might serve as a valuable tool for both prognosticating clinical outcomes and directing precision-based therapeutic interventions.

Complementary comments on metastatic liver lesions with exceptional and rare cases

Liver metastases can appear in different forms in magnetic resonance imaging.Contrary to popular belief,while radiologists report hypovascular or hypervascular metastatic lesions,exceptional examples may be detected in various tumors.The aim of this article is to improve this review by presenting rare and atypical examples of liver metastasis,as well as cases that might potentially be misdiagnosed as metastases during the process of differential diagnosis.

Diagnostic challenges and individualized treatment of cervical adenocarcinoma metastases to the breast:A case report

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is a rare primary tumor resulting in metastases to the breast with few cases reported in literature.Breast metastases are associated with poor prognosis.The following case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with metastatic cervical cancer to the breast along with individualized treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old G7P5025 with no significant past medical or surgical history presented with heavy vaginal to an outside emergency department where an exam and a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a 4.5 cm heterogenous lobulated cervical mass involving upper two thirds of vagina,parametria and lymph node metastases.Cervical biopsies confirmed high grade adenocarcinoma with mucinous features.A positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)did not show evidence of metastatic disease.She received concurrent cisplatin with external beam radiation therapy.Follow up PET/CT scan three months later showed no suspicious fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the cervix and no evidence of metastatic disease.Patient was lost to follow up for six months.She was re-imaged on re-presentation and found to have widely metastatic disease including breast disease.Breast biopsy confirmed programmed death-ligand 1 positive metastatic cervical cancer.The patient received six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel with pembrolizumab.Restaging imaging demonstrated response.Patient continued on pembrolizumab with disease control.CONCLUSION Metastatic cervical cancer to the breast is uncommon with nonspecific clinical findings that can make diagnosis challenging.Clinical history and immunohistochemical evaluation of breast lesion,and comparison to primary tumor can support diagnosis of metastatic cervical cancer to the breast.Overall,the prognosis is poor,but immunotherapy can be considered in select patients and may result in good disease response.

Effect of magnetic resonance imaging in liver metastases

This letter to the editor is a commentary on a study titled"Liver metastases:The role of magnetic resonance imaging."Exploring a noninvasive imaging evaluation system for the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the key to achieving precise diagnosis and treatment and improving prognosis.This review summarizes the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection and evaluation of liver metastases,describes its main imaging features,and focuses on the added value of the latest imaging tools(such as T1 weighted in phase imaging,T1 weighted out of phase imaging;diffusion-weighted imaging,T2 weighted imaging).In this study,I investigated the necessity and benefits of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid for HCC diagnostic testing and prognostic evaluation.

Establishment and evaluation of a prognostic model for patients with unresectable gastric cancer liver metastases

BACKGROUND Liver metastases(LM)is the primary factor contributing to unfavorable outcomes in patients diagnosed with gastric cancer(GC).The objective of this study is to analyze significant prognostic risk factors for patients with GCLM and develop a reliable nomogram model that can accurately predict individualized prognosis,thereby enhancing the ability to evaluate patient outcomes.AIM To analyze prognostic risk factors for GCLM and develop a reliable nomogram model to accurately predict individualized prognosis,thereby enhancing patient outcome assessment.METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data pertaining to GCLM(type III),admitted to the Department of General Surgery across multiple centers of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2010 to January 2018.The dataset was divided into a development cohort and validation cohort in a ratio of 2:1.In the development cohort,we utilized univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify independent risk factors associated with overall survival in GCLM patients.Subsequently,we established a prediction model based on these findings and evaluated its performance using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis,calibration curves,and clinical decision curves.A nomogram was created to visually represent the prediction model,which was then externally validated using the validation cohort.RESULTS A total of 372 patients were included in this study,comprising 248 individuals in the development cohort and 124 individuals in the validation cohort.Based on Cox analysis results,our final prediction model incorporated five independent risk factors including albumin levels,primary tumor size,presence of extrahepatic metastases,surgical treatment status,and chemotherapy administration.The 1-,3-,and 5-years Area Under the Curve values in the development cohort are 0.753,0.859,and 0.909,respectively;whereas in the validation cohort,they are observed to be 0.772,0.848,and 0.923.Furthermore,the calibration curves demonstrated excellent consistency between observed values and actual values.Finally,the decision curve analysis curve indicated substantial net clinical benefit.CONCLUSION Our study identified significant prognostic risk factors for GCLM and developed a reliable nomogram model,demonstrating promising predictive accuracy and potential clinical benefit in evaluating patient outcomes.

Tumour response following preoperative chemotherapy is affected by body mass index in patients with colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent malignancy globally and ranks second in cancer-related mortality,with the liver being the primary organ of metastasis.Preoperative chemotherapy is widely recommended for initially or potentially resectable colorectal liver metastases(CRLMs).Tumour pathological response serves as the most important and intuitive indicator for assessing the efficacy of chemotherapy.However,the postoperative pathological results reveal that a considerable number of patients exhibit a poor response to preoperative chemotherapy.Body mass index(BMI)is one of the factors affecting the tumori-genesis and progression of colorectal cancer as well as prognosis after various antitumour therapies.Several studies have indicated that overweight and obese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer experience worse prognoses than those with normal weight,particularly when receiving first-line chemotherapy regimens in combination with bevacizumab.AIM To explore the predictive value of BMI regarding the pathologic response following preoperative chemotherapy for CRLMs.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed in 126 consecutive patients with CRLM who underwent hepatectomy following preoperative chemotherapy at four different hospitals from October 2019 to July 2023.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to analyse potential predictors of tumour pathological response.The Kaplan-Meier method with log rank test was used to compare progression-free survival(PFS)between patients with high and low BMI.BMI<24.0 kg/m^(2) was defined as low BMI,and tumour regression grade 1-2 was defined as complete tumour response.RESULTS Low BMI was observed in 74(58.7%)patients and complete tumour response was found in 27(21.4%)patients.The rate of complete tumour response was significantly higher in patients with low BMI(29.7%vs 9.6%,P=0.007).Multivariate analysis revealed that low BMI[odds ratio(OR)=4.56,95%confidence interval(CI):1.42-14.63,P=0.011],targeted therapy with bevacizumab(OR=3.02,95%CI:1.10-8.33,P=0.033),preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level<10 ng/mL(OR=3.84,95%CI:1.19-12.44,P=0.025)and severe sinusoidal dilatation(OR=0.17,95%CI:0.03-0.90,P=0.037)were independent predictive factors for complete tumour response.The low BMI group exhibited a significantly longer median PFS than the high BMI group(10.7 mo vs 4.7 mo,P=0.011).CONCLUSION In CRLM patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy,a low BMI may be associated with better tumour response and longer PFS.

Retrospective Study Immune function status of postoperative patients with colon cancer for predicting liver metastasis

BACKGROUND Colon cancer(CC)has a high incidence rate.Radical resection is the main treatment method for CC;however,liver metastasis(LM)often occurs post-surgery.The liver contains both innate and adaptive immune cells that monitor and remove abnormal cells and pathogens.Before LM,tumor cells secrete cytokines and exosomes to adjust the immune microenvironment of the liver,thus forming an inhibitory immune microenvironment for colonization by circulating tumor cells.This indicates that the immune state of patients with CC plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of LM.AIM To observe and analyze the relationship between immune status and expression of tumor factors in patients with LM of CC,and to provide a scientific interven-tion method for promoting the patient prognosis.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed.The baseline data of 100 patients with CC and 100 patients with CC who suffered from postoperative LM and were admitted to our hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were included in the non-occurrence and occurrence groups,respectively.The immune status of the pa-tients and the expression of tumor factor-related indicators in the two groups were compared,and the predictive value of the indicators for postoperative LM in patients with CC was analyzed.RESULTS Compared with the non-occurrence group,the expression of serum carcinoem-bryonic antigen(CEA),CA19-9,CA242,CA72-4 and CA50 in patients in the occurrence group were significantly higher,while the expression of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,natural killer(NK)and CD4+/CD25 in patients in the occurrence group were significantly lower(P<0.05).No significant difference was observed in other baseline data between groups(P>0.05).Multivariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that the expressions of CEA,CA19-9,CA242,CA72-4,CA50,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,NK,and CD4+/CD25 were associated with the LM in patients with CC.High expressions of serum CEA,CA19-9,CA242,CA72-4 and CA50,and low expressions of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,NK,and CD4+/CD25 in patients with CC were risk factors for LM(OR>1,P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under curve for CEA,CA19-9,CA242,CA72-4,CA50,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,NK,and CD4+/CD25 in the prediction of LM in patients with CC were all>0.80,with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION The expression of tumor factors and immune state-related indices in patients with CC is closely associated with the occurrence of LM.

Erdafitinib and checkpoint inhibitors for first-line and second-line immunotherapy of hepatic,gastrointestinal,and urinary bladder carcinomas:Recent concept

Cancer immunotherapy is administered for first-line,second-line,neoadjuvant,or adjuvant treatment of advanced,metastatic,and recurrent cancer in the liver,gastrointestinal tract,and genitourinary tract,and other solid tumors.Erdafitinib is a fibroblast growth factor receptor(FGFR)inhibitor,and it is an adenosine triphosphate competitive inhibitor of FGFR1,FGFR2,FGFR3,and FGFR4.Immune checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies that block programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)and its ligand that exert intrinsic antitumor mechanisms.The promising results of first-line treatment of advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma with PD-1 blockades with single or combined agents,indicate a new concept in the treatment of advanced,metastatic,and recurrent hepatic and gastrointestinal carcinomas.Cancer immunotherapy as first-line treatment will improve overall survival and provide better quality of life.Debate is arising as to whether to apply the cancer immunotherapy as first-line treatment in invasive carcinomas,or as second-line treatment in recurrent or metastatic carcinoma following the standard chemotherapy.The literature in the field is not definite,and so far,there has been no consensus on the best approach in this situation.At present,as it is described in this editorial,the decision is applied on a case-by-case basis.

Bridging the gap: Predicting brain metastasis in breast cancer

Chen et al explored clinicopathological features and prognostic factors,revealing advanced tumor stage,lung metastases,HER-2 overexpression,and triple-negative status as key contributors.Recent research connects astrocytes'role in brain metastasis with signaling pathways and the impact of Trastuzumab on HER-2 tumor survival.Factors such as positive HER2 status,lack of estrogen receptor expression,and liver metastasis are identified as additional risk factors.The routine use of magnetic resonance imaging,insights into gene mutations associated with metastasis,and the role of radiotherapy,including prophylaxis possibilities,is controversial in clinical practice.Understanding these risk factors in a multidisciplinary collaboration is precise for local treatments and targeted therapies,particularly for HER2+tumors,impacting directly on longer survival.

Different types of tumor microvessels in stageⅠ-ⅢA squamous cell lung cancer and their clinical significance

BACKGROUND Lung cancer(LC)is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among malignant neoplasms.Improving the diagnosis and treatment of LC remains an urgent task of modern oncology.Previously,we established that in gastric,breast and cervical cancer,tumor microvessels(MVs)differ in morphology and have different prognostic significance.The connection between different types of tumor MVs and the progression of LC is not well understood.AIM To evaluate the morphological features and clinical significance of tumor MVs in lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC).METHODS A single-center retrospective cohort study examined medical records and archival paraffin blocks of 62 and 180 patients with stage I-IIIA LUSC in the training and main cohorts,respectively.All patients underwent radical surgery(R0)at the Orenburg Regional Cancer Clinic from May/20/2009 to December/14/2021.Tumor sections were routinely processed,and routine Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 34(CD34),podoplanin,Snail and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha were performed.The morphological features of different types of tumor MVs,tumor parenchyma and stroma were studied according to clinicopathological characteristics and LUSC prognosis.Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10.0 software.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for LUSC metastasis to regional lymph nodes(RLNs)and disease recurrence.Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to discriminate between patients with and without metastases in RLNs and those with and without disease recurrence.The effectiveness of the predictive models was assessed by the area under the curve.Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves between patient subgroups.A value of P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS Depending on the morphology,we classified tumor vessels into the following types:normal MVs,dilated capillaries(DCs),atypical DCs,DCs with weak expression of CD34,"contact-type"DCs,structures with partial endothelial linings,capillaries in the tumor solid component and lymphatic vessels in lymphoid and polymorphocellular infiltrates.We also evaluated the presence of loose,fine fibrous connective tissue(LFFCT)and retraction clefts in the tumor stroma,tumor spread into the alveolar air spaces(AASs)and fragmentation of the tumor solid component.According to multivariate analysis,the independent predictors of LUSC metastasis in RLNs were central tumor location(P<0.00001),the presence of retraction clefts(P=0.003),capillaries in the tumor solid component(P=0.023)and fragmentation in the tumor solid component(P=0.009),whereas the independent predictors of LUSC recurrence were tumor grade 3(G3)(P=0.001),stage N2(P=0.016),the presence of LFFCT in the tumor stroma(P<0.00001),fragmentation of the tumor solid component(P=0.0001),and the absence of tumor spread through the AASs(P=0.0083).CONCLUSION The results obtained confirm the correctness of our previously proposed classification of different types of tumor vessels and may contribute to improving the diagnosis and treatment of LUSC.

Feasibility and limitations of combined treatment for lateral pelvic lymph node metastases in rectal cancer

Colorectal cancer ranks among the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally,and is associated with a high rate of pelvic recurrence after surgery.In efforts to mitigate recurrence,pelvic lymph node dissection(PLND)is commonly advocated as an adjunct to radical surgery.Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NACRT)is a therapeutic approach employed in managing locally advanced rectal cancer,and has been found to increase the survival rates.Chua et al have proposed a combination of NACRT with selective PLND for addressing lateral pelvic lymph node metastases in rectal cancer patients,with the aim of reducing recurrence and improving survival outcomes.Nevertheless,certain studies have indicated that the addition of PLND to NACRT and total mesorectal excision did not yield a significant reduction in local recurrence rates or improvement in survival.Consequently,meticulous patient selection and perioperative chemotherapy may prove indispensable in ensuring the efficacy of PLND.

Management of lateral pelvic lymph nodes in rectal cancer:Is it time to reach an Agreement?

In this editorial,we proceed to comment on the article by Chua et al,addressing the management of metastatic lateral pelvic lymph nodes(mLLN)in stage II/III rectal cancer patients below the peritoneal reflection.The treatment of this nodal area sparks significant controversy due to the strategic differences followed by Eastern and Western physicians,albeit with a higher degree of convergence in recent years.The dissection of lateral pelvic lymph nodes without neoadjuvant therapy is a standard practice in Eastern countries.In contrast,in the West,preference leans towards opting for neoadjuvant therapy with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy,that would cover the treatment of this area without the need to add the dissection of these nodes to the total mesorectal excision.In the presence of high-risk nodal characteristics for mLLN related to radiological imaging and lack of response to neoadjuvant therapy,the risk of lateral local recurrence increases,suggesting the appropriate selection of strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence in each patient profile.Despite the heterogeneous and retrospective nature of studies addressing this area,an international consensus is necessary to approach this clinical scenario uniformly.