Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Digital health technology in oncology: results from a survey by the ESMO Young Oncologists Committee and medical student alumni.
Mandó P, et al
A global survey conducted by the ESMO Young Oncologists Committee examined how oncology professionals worldwide are using digital health technologies in their daily clinical practice. Among 423 respondents, access to computerized workstations was high overall (89.1%), but significant geographic disparities were found, with African institutions reporting far lower access (67.7%) compared to European ones (93.8%). Video telehealth was rated the most effective digital tool, yet only 28.2% of those using telemedicine systems had received formal training, and major barriers included system integration challenges (67.4%) and infrastructure limitations (57.3%). Notably, older clinicians over 40 years of age used video telehealth more frequently than younger colleagues, and tool effectiveness varied widely, from 80.5% for e-prescriptions down to 45.2% for telemonitoring. These findings underscore the urgent need for infrastructure investment, interoperable systems, and structured training programs to ensure that the benefits of digital health technologies in cancer care are distributed equitably across all regions of the world.
ESMO real world data and digital oncology
Source →Ectopic Cervical Thymoma with Myasthenia Gravis and Pure Red Cell Aplasia: A Case Report.
Narusawa E, et al
A rare case report published in Surgical Case Reports describes a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with an ectopic cervical thymoma — a thymus-derived tumor found in an unusual location in the neck — alongside two serious autoimmune conditions: myasthenia gravis and pure red cell aplasia. Imaging revealed a 6.5-cm solid mass within the left thyroid lobe that was displacing the trachea, with no visible connection to the normal thymus in the chest. Surgeons performed both an extended thymectomy (removal of the thymus) and removal of the left thyroid lobe, and the postoperative course was uncomplicated. Pathological analysis confirmed the cervical mass was a type AB thymoma, and unexpectedly revealed a hidden type A thymoma in the surgically removed thymus — a finding that would have been missed without extended surgery. This case highlights the importance of thorough surgical management in patients with thymoma-associated autoimmune disorders, as occult secondary tumors may co-exist and go undetected without comprehensive resection.
Surgical case reports
Source →How I do it: The Hi-UP approach-single-port da Vinci SP-assisted mediastinoscopic subtotal esophagectomy with a transhiatal-dominant strategy in the abdominal and cervical phases.
Omori T, et al
Researchers developed a novel surgical technique called the Hi-UP approach for removing the esophagus in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer, using the single-port da Vinci SP robotic system during both the abdominal and cervical phases of the operation. The method emphasizes a transhiatal-dominant strategy, meaning the surgeon works primarily from below the diaphragm to dissect lymph nodes deep into the upper chest, including the technically demanding station 106recL nodes located along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve beneath the aortic arch. By completing most of the upper mediastinal lymph node removal from the abdominal route before making a smaller cervical incision, the team aimed to reduce lung-related complications that can occur with traditional open chest surgery. In two initial patients, the procedure was completed without any postoperative complications, both patients retained normal vocal fold movement confirmed by laryngoscopy on the third day after surgery, and both were discharged after 13 days. These early results suggest that this dual-phase robotic mediastinoscopic esophagectomy is a feasible and potentially safer alternative for treating thoracic esophageal cancer, though larger studies are needed to confirm its benefits.
Esophagus : official journal of the Japan Esophageal Society
Source →The FLASH Effect in 3D and 2D Models: Preserving Tumor Control while Reducing Apoptosis in Normal Cells.
Scarmelotto A, et al
Researchers investigated whether FLASH radiotherapy — delivering radiation at ultra-high dose rates — can protect healthy tissues while maintaining the same effectiveness against tumors as conventional radiotherapy. Using three-dimensional tumor spheroids made from colorectal carcinoma and glioblastoma cell lines, the study found that ultra-high dose rate irradiation produced tumor growth delays equivalent to those seen with conventional dose rates, demonstrating that tumor control is not compromised. In normal intestinal epithelial cells, ultra-high dose rate irradiation induced significantly less apoptosis (programmed cell death) compared to conventional irradiation at clinically relevant doses, while levels of cellular senescence remained comparable between the two approaches. These findings provide important laboratory evidence supporting the so-called FLASH effect, where healthy tissue is spared from radiation damage without sacrificing cancer-killing efficacy. For patients, this could ultimately mean fewer and less severe side effects from radiotherapy, particularly relevant for cancers treated near sensitive tissues such as the intestine or brain.
Radiation research
Source →Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma to the Colon: A Rare Cause of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding.
Matias A, et al
Researchers report a rare case of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) — a cancer of the throat region commonly linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) — that spread to the colon and caused acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. While OPSCC most commonly metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes, the lungs, or liver, spread to the intestines is exceptionally uncommon and rarely considered as a cause of GI bleeding. This case highlights that in patients with a known history of OPSCC who present with acute gastrointestinal bleeding, metastatic disease to the colon should be included in the differential diagnosis. Early recognition of this unusual metastatic pattern is critical, as it can significantly affect treatment decisions and patient outcomes. The report underscores the importance of thorough clinical evaluation and awareness of atypical metastatic sites in head and neck cancer patients.
ACG case reports journal
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