Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Popliteal fossa metastasis from rectal carcinoma in a young adult: A rare case report.
Sahi A, et al
Researchers report an exceptionally rare case of a 27-year-old man diagnosed with signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the rectum who developed a metastatic tumor in the popliteal fossa — the hollow area behind the knee — within just one year of beginning chemoradiotherapy. Signet-ring cell carcinoma is an aggressive and uncommon form of colorectal cancer that typically spreads to nearby lymph nodes, the peritoneum, or the liver, making this distant soft tissue metastasis highly unusual. The patient underwent a comprehensive imaging workup including MRI, which revealed a complex mass with central tissue death and restricted water diffusion, and PET/CT scanning, which showed abnormal metabolic activity in the lesion. A biopsy guided by ultrasound confirmed the mass was indeed a metastasis originating from the patient's rectal cancer. This case underscores that rectal SRCC can spread to highly atypical locations, even in young patients, and that clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating unexplained soft tissue masses in cancer patients. The report also highlights how combining multiple imaging technologies is essential for accurately characterizing unusual lesions and guiding appropriate biopsy and treatment decisions.
Radiology case reports
Source →Multi-modal computational data analysis for prediction of response to systemic treatment in metastatic melanoma.
Parmar V, et al
Researchers analyzed 120 patients with metastatic melanoma to determine whether combining multiple types of data—including CT scan imaging features (radiomics), clinical metadata, and automated body composition analysis—could accurately predict how patients would respond to immunotherapy or targeted therapy. The study found that models relying solely on clinical data performed modestly, achieving an accuracy score (AUC) of only 0.657, while models incorporating imaging data reached AUCs as high as 0.97 when radiomics, clinical information, body composition, and treatment details were combined. Notably, including information about the type and line of therapy consistently improved prediction accuracy across all models, and lesion-specific performance varied by anatomical location, with liver lesions yielding the highest predictive accuracy (AUC 0.98). These findings suggest that integrating multi-modal computational data can substantially enhance the ability of clinicians to identify which patients are likely to benefit from a given treatment before starting it, paving the way for more personalized and effective cancer care strategies.
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
Source →Primary Peritoneal Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma in a 16-Year-Old Female: A Case Report.
An Y, et al
Researchers report an exceptionally rare case of primary peritoneal low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) diagnosed in a 16-year-old girl, a disease almost exclusively seen in postmenopausal women. The patient presented with lower abdominal pain and an 8 cm pelvic mass located in front of the rectum, with both ovaries appearing normal on examination. Diagnosis was confirmed through surgery and immunohistochemical staining, which identified the tumor as low-grade serous carcinoma originating from the peritoneum rather than the ovaries. The patient underwent radical surgery followed by six cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy, with no recurrence detected during follow-up. This case highlights that primary peritoneal carcinoma should be considered in young patients with pelvic masses even when the ovaries look healthy, as early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to favorable outcomes.
Journal of clinical medicine
Source →Preclinical and human tracheal replacement with aortic grafts: a narrative review.
Wurtz A, et al
Researchers conducted a comprehensive narrative review of both preclinical and human clinical experience using aortic grafts as substitutes for tracheal segments requiring surgical reconstruction or removal. Analyzing 22 preclinical studies spanning from 1958 to 2025 and 20 human-use publications from 1999 to 2025, the review established that aortic grafts implanted into the trachea consistently transform into flaccid, tube-shaped scar tissue that contracts by an average of 60% over time, and may occasionally undergo abnormal bone formation within the graft. A critical finding was the stark disparity in postoperative mortality between partial tracheal replacement, which carried 0% mortality, and full circumferential tracheal replacement, which carried an 18.9% mortality rate, raising serious concerns about the broader adoption of the latter procedure. The authors specifically caution against routine use of full circumferential tracheal replacement in patients with low-grade, radiosensitive cancers such as adenoid cystic carcinomas, where less radical surgical strategies may offer a safer risk-benefit balance. The review concludes that while cryopreserved aortic allografts demonstrate clinical utility in specific scenarios such as tracheal anastomosis dehiscence, no ideal tracheal substitute has yet been identified, and clinicians must carefully weigh the substantial risks before undertaking full tracheal replacement, particularly in oncological settings.
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China)
Source →Management of liver metastases secondary to thymic epithelial tumors: a narrative review of current management and future directions.
Ma AJ, et al
This narrative review examines the available management strategies for liver metastases arising from thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), a category that includes thymomas and thymic carcinomas — rare cancers originating in the thymus gland located in the chest. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search through October 2025, finding that systemic chemotherapy currently serves as the primary treatment for patients whose TET has spread to the liver. Smaller case series and limited studies also suggest potential benefit from surgical resection of liver lesions, radiation therapy, and interventional radiology techniques such as liver-directed ablation or embolization procedures. Overall, the evidence base remains sparse and largely derived from small, non-randomized studies, reflecting both the rarity of this clinical scenario and the absence of large prospective clinical trials. The authors stress that liver metastases from TETs are associated with worse overall survival and that a multidisciplinary approach combining systemic and local therapies should be considered to optimize patient outcomes. Clinicians managing these patients need a broad awareness of all available options, including emerging novel therapeutic strategies, to provide the most informed and individualized care.
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China)
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