Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Solitary Mucosal Neuroma of the Hard Palate Without Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B: A Rare Non-syndromic Case Report and Literature Review.
Ky H, et al
Researchers present a rare case of a solitary mucosal neuroma — a benign proliferation of peripheral nerve tissue — discovered on the hard palate of a 25-year-old woman who showed no signs of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B), the hereditary syndrome with which these lesions are almost exclusively associated. MEN2B, caused by mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, typically combines mucosal neuromas with medullary thyroid carcinoma and adrenal tumors, making isolated oral neuromas an exceedingly uncommon finding. The patient presented with a painless, firm mass on the right posterior hard palate; surgical excision and immunohistochemical analysis confirming strong S-100 protein positivity established the diagnosis of mucosal neuroma. Comprehensive systemic workup — including endocrine assessment, biochemical testing, and thyroid ultrasonography — found no evidence of MEN2B, and the patient remained recurrence-free over eight months of follow-up. This case is clinically significant because mucosal neuromas are widely regarded as pathognomonic for MEN2B, meaning their presence normally triggers urgent screening for life-threatening malignancies. The report emphasizes that non-syndromic mucosal neuromas, though rare, do exist, and that thorough clinicopathologic correlation and long-term surveillance remain essential even when no syndromic features are identified.
Cureus
Source →Rapidly Recurrent Retroperitoneal Cystic Lesion With Mass Effect in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Diagnostic and Management Challenge.
Barbosa ML, et al
Researchers report the case of a kidney transplant recipient on long-term immunosuppression who was found to have a rapidly progressive retroperitoneal cystic lesion that caused significant compression of the left native kidney, pancreas, stomach, and spleen. The 20-centimeter cystic mass was initially discovered incidentally on imaging, grew with increasing complexity on serial scans, and rapidly recurred after image-guided aspiration, ultimately requiring exploratory laparotomy with en bloc surgical resection including left adrenalectomy and nephrectomy. Despite thorough histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation by multiple pathologists, no malignancy was identified and the lesion's origin remained inconclusive. The atypical behavior — aggressive growth, rapid recurrence after drainage, and marked mass effect with minimal patient symptoms — is believed to be shaped by the immunosuppressive regimen, which is known to suppress immune surveillance and impair normal inflammatory and reparative responses. This case highlights a significant gap in evidence-based guidelines for managing complex cystic lesions in solid-organ transplant recipients. Clinicians are urged to maintain a low threshold for surgical intervention when such lesions display atypical or rapidly progressive features in immunocompromised patients.
Cureus
Source →Prediction of high-dose regions in the jaw as a basis for decision-making in dental rehabilitation prior to radiotherapy in the head and neck area.
Staufenbiel I, et al
Radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can cause serious complications including dry mouth, aggressive tooth decay, and osteoradionecrosis—a potentially debilitating breakdown of jaw bone—making pre-treatment dental care critically important. A key clinical problem is that dentists typically do not know which areas of the jaw will receive high radiation doses, often resulting in unnecessarily radical tooth extractions that harm patients' quality of life. To address this gap, researchers retrospectively analyzed radiation dose data from 112 patients, calculating mean radiation exposure across six dental regions in both the upper and lower jaw, stratified by tumor site (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx) and treatment intent (definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy), yielding 48 distinct dental subgroups. The study found that oral cavity and oropharyngeal tumor locations, definitive radiotherapy protocols, and the molar region were associated with the highest radiation exposures, while out of 48 dental subregions only 8 were classified as high-risk (above 50 Gy), 10 as medium-risk, and 30 as low-risk (below 40 Gy). Based on these findings, the authors developed a practical clinical decision tree to guide dentists in tailoring pre-radiotherapy dental management according to expected dose levels, potentially sparing many patients from unnecessary tooth loss. This tool represents a meaningful step toward more individualized, evidence-based dental care in head and neck oncology.
Clinical and translational radiation oncology
Source →Spatially resolved micromechanical characterisation of human testis tissue reveals distinct signatures across developing, adult and pathological tissue states.
Andersson I, et al
Researchers investigated the microscale mechanical properties of human testis tissue to better understand the physical environment in which sperm development occurs, a process called spermatogenesis. Using a technique called nanoindentation alongside histological analysis, the team measured the stiffness and viscoelastic behavior of testis samples from three groups: adults undergoing sperm extraction procedures, adults undergoing gender affirmation surgery, and developmental tissue from foetal and adolescent donors. The study found that testis tissue is remarkably soft, with stiffness values between 0.1 and 1 kPa, and that the seminiferous tubules — the structures where sperm are produced — are measurably stiffer than the surrounding interstitial tissue. A key finding was that a mechanical property called Tan(δ), which reflects the balance between elastic and viscous behavior, correlated significantly with the state of spermatogenesis, suggesting it could serve as a diagnostic marker for male infertility. These results provide critical guidance for engineering laboratory models of the human testis that replicate its mechanical environment, which may ultimately help develop new treatments for the globally rising rates of male infertility.
Bioactive materials
Source →ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Penetrating Trauma-Abdomen and Pelvis: Update 2026.
Costa DN, et al
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has published an updated 2026 guideline on appropriate imaging strategies for penetrating abdominal and pelvic trauma, with a specific focus on urinary tract injuries. For suspected upper urinary tract injuries, CT of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast and CT urography are recommended as the most appropriate initial imaging choices, with CT urography offering superior visualization of the collecting system and ureters. For suspected lower urinary tract injuries, fluoroscopic retrograde urethrography, contrast-enhanced CT, and CT cystography are considered appropriate and complementary tools for evaluating the urethra, bladder, and surrounding pelvic structures. Ultrasound and MRI are generally not recommended for initial evaluation in these trauma scenarios. These evidence-based guidelines, developed through systematic review of peer-reviewed literature and expert consensus using the GRADE methodology, aim to help clinicians select the most effective and timely imaging approach to guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR
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