Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Pain management and analgesic strategies in patients with carcinoma uterine cervix undergoing intracavitary or interstitial brachytherapy.
Garg S, et al
Researchers conducted a retrospective study involving 85 patients with cervical cancer who underwent brachytherapy (BT) — a form of internal radiation therapy — following external beam radiotherapy, with the goal of better understanding pain patterns and identifying the most effective analgesic strategies. Pain was assessed using a numeric rating scale, and patients were categorized as experiencing mild, moderate, or severe pain, with analgesic regimens ranging from paracetamol alone to fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia. The study found that older patients and those receiving interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT), a more invasive needle-based technique, were significantly more likely to experience severe pain compared to those receiving standard intracavitary brachytherapy. Patients with severe pain required stronger medications, including opioids and fentanyl infusions, highlighting the need for individualized, multimodal pain management plans. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring analgesic strategies to each patient's age, procedure type, and pain profile in order to improve comfort, compliance, and overall treatment outcomes in cervical cancer care.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Source →Breast Cancer Metastasis to a Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review with Emphasis on Novel Immunohistochemical Tools.
Conde Ferreirós M, et al
Researchers present a rare case of breast cancer spreading into a pre-existing kidney tumor, specifically a pleomorphic lobular breast carcinoma metastasizing into clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and conduct a comprehensive literature review of this phenomenon. Cancer-to-cancer metastasis — where one tumor invades and grows within another — is exceptionally uncommon, with RCC being the most frequently reported host tumor. Only eight living patients with this specific combination of breast cancer spreading to clear cell RCC have been documented worldwide prior to this report. The case highlights significant diagnostic challenges, as distinguishing between two overlapping cancers within the same tissue requires meticulous histopathological analysis and advanced immunohistochemical (IHC) marker testing. The authors emphasize that emerging IHC tools are improving the ability to correctly identify each tumor type, which is critical because misdiagnosis could lead to inappropriate treatment. Accurate recognition of this rare metastatic pattern is essential for clinicians to make informed decisions about therapy and disease management.
International journal of surgical pathology
Source →CRE26-072: HER2-Low Breast Carcinoma Presenting as Cancer of Unknown Primary With Ovarian and Leptomeningeal Metastases: A Case Report.
Odeh J, et al
This case report describes a rare and diagnostically challenging presentation of HER2-low breast carcinoma, in which the disease initially manifested as a cancer of unknown primary (CUP) with metastases to both the ovaries and the leptomeninges — the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Cancer of unknown primary is a condition where metastatic cancer is detected but the original tumor site cannot be readily identified, making treatment decisions particularly difficult. The case highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular and immunohistochemical profiling in identifying the true origin of metastatic disease, which in this instance revealed HER2-low expression — a biomarker category that has recently gained clinical significance as a targetable classification. This finding is especially relevant because HER2-low breast cancer can now be treated with novel antibody-drug conjugates such as trastuzumab deruxtecan, potentially offering effective therapy for patients who might otherwise receive only generic chemotherapy. Clinicians are encouraged to consider breast cancer as a primary origin in CUP cases and to test for HER2-low status, as accurate classification can meaningfully change therapeutic options and patient outcomes.
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
Source →Improving membranous urethral length measurements on prostate MRI: a comparison of online training methods.
Goedegebuure EP, et al
A new study published in European Radiology investigated which online training method best helps radiologists accurately measure membranous urethral length (MUL) on prostate MRI, a measurement critical for predicting urinary continence after prostate surgery. Ninety-nine radiologists were divided into three groups: one receiving written instructions only, one completing a one-month self-guided online program with case feedback, and one attending a one-day expert-led online training session. All three approaches led to significant improvements in diagnostic accuracy, reader confidence, and agreement between readers, with interreader agreement scores rising from moderate (ICC 0.52–0.56) to good (ICC 0.74–0.80). Notably, the simpler written instruction method performed comparably to the more intensive programs, while 30–35% of participants found the expert-led sessions too time-consuming. These findings suggest that straightforward, self-directed online training is a practical and effective way to standardize MUL measurements across clinical settings, potentially enabling more personalized continence risk counseling for patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
European radiology
Source →Surgical management of ovarian endometrioma in a patient with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a case report.
Ye T, et al
A new case report published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports documents the first known successful surgical treatment of an ovarian endometrioma in a patient also living with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), an ultra-rare genetic disease affecting approximately one in two million people worldwide. FOP causes progressive abnormal bone growth in soft tissues, and any surgical trauma can catastrophically trigger new bone formation, making operations extremely dangerous and typically contraindicated. The 27-year-old Asian patient presented with severe menstrual pain and was found to have a large ovarian cyst measuring over 10 centimeters, confirmed as an endometrioma alongside elevated tumor markers and pelvic heterotopic ossification on imaging. A multidisciplinary team carefully designed a tailored surgical strategy, choosing open abdominal surgery over minimally invasive laparoscopy to accommodate the patient's restricted body position, and employing meticulous sharp dissection with bipolar cautery to achieve minimal blood loss of just 5 milliliters. The patient recovered well in the intensive care unit and was discharged on the fifth postoperative day without triggering new bone formation. This landmark case provides clinicians with a practical management framework for performing necessary but high-risk surgery in FOP patients, demonstrating that safe outcomes are achievable with thorough multidisciplinary planning and specialized surgical techniques.
Journal of medical case reports
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