Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Recurrent Bronchospasm During Intra-arterial Chemotherapy via IMAX Access for Retinoblastoma: A Case Report.
Huang R, et al
This case report describes a six-month-old girl with advanced Group D retinoblastoma in her right eye who underwent five cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC), a technique that delivers anti-cancer drugs directly into the blood vessels supplying the tumor to minimize systemic side effects. Because the standard ophthalmic artery access route could not be visualized during angiography, all chemotherapy cycles were delivered through the internal maxillary artery (IMAX), an anatomical alternative that connects to the ocular circulation. The patient experienced severe intraoperative bronchospasm — sudden, dangerous narrowing of the airways — during the first, second, and fifth treatment cycles, with each episode involving oxygen desaturation and elevated airway pressures that required emergency treatment with epinephrine and albuterol. The authors hypothesize that pulsatile drug infusion near branches of the trigeminal nerve triggered a trigeminocardiac reflex, activating the parasympathetic nervous system and causing bronchospasm and bradycardia. This case highlights an underrecognized but serious respiratory risk associated with IAC when delivered through alternate arterial routes, particularly in pediatric patients with anatomical variations. Clinicians are urged to maintain heightened perioperative vigilance and ensure rapid access to bronchodilators whenever standard ophthalmic artery access cannot be achieved.
Cureus
Source →Thymectomy or partial thymectomy, that is the question: surgical considerations for early-stage thymic epithelial tumors: a narrative review.
Fukumoto K, et al
A new narrative review published in the journal Mediastinum has examined whether partial thymectomy — a surgery that removes only part of the thymus gland — can deliver outcomes comparable to complete thymectomy for patients with early-stage thymic epithelial tumors, a rare group of cancers arising in the thymus. Researchers systematically reviewed English-language studies published between 1980 and 2025, encompassing retrospective single-institution reports, larger multicenter investigations, national database analyses, and two meta-analyses. The evidence indicates that partial thymectomy is frequently associated with shorter operative times, reduced blood loss, and potentially lower complication rates, while short-term and long-term survival outcomes were broadly similar between the two surgical approaches. Some studies, however, noted slightly better overall survival with complete thymectomy in certain patient subgroups, underscoring that the two procedures may not be universally equivalent. A critical limitation is that most available evidence comes from open surgical approaches such as median sternotomy, leaving it unclear whether these findings translate to minimally invasive techniques like video-assisted or robot-assisted thoracic surgery. The authors conclude that partial thymectomy may be a viable option for carefully selected patients, but prospective clinical trials are urgently needed before definitive surgical guidelines can be established.
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China)
Source →Latin American Consensus for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.
Losco F, et al
A multinational panel of Latin American clinical experts has developed a comprehensive consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), a stage of prostate cancer that remains responsive to hormone-reducing therapies. Using a modified Delphi process supported by a systematic literature review, the group formulated 60 consensus statements covering imaging and biochemical evaluation, genetic testing, prognosis, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, and bone health management. The recommendations emphasize an individualized approach that accounts for patient age, functional status, comorbidities, disease stage, and local healthcare resources, recognizing that infrastructure and treatment availability vary widely across Latin American countries. The consensus aims to bridge the gap between global best practices and regional realities, ensuring that patients in resource-limited settings receive the most effective and equitable care possible. By providing practical, adaptable guidelines, the initiative seeks to improve long-term survival outcomes and reduce disparities in prostate cancer management across the region.
Clinical genitourinary cancer
Source →DICER1 Syndrome With Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Uterine Cervix and Retroperitoneal Metastasis: A Case Report and Literature Review.
Wei X, et al
Researchers report a rare and severe case of DICER1 syndrome in a 15-year-old girl who developed embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterine cervix, a retroperitoneal tumor, and multinodular goiter. Genetic analysis revealed not only the expected DICER1 gene mutation but also additional mutations in the NF1 and TP53 genes, suggesting a more complex molecular landscape than typically seen in this syndrome. Despite surgery and six cycles of combination chemotherapy, the patient developed pleural and mediastinal metastases and died of respiratory failure just seven months after diagnosis. The case highlights that co-occurring mutations in cancer-related genes such as NF1 and TP53 may worsen the prognosis of DICER1 syndrome beyond what the DICER1 mutation alone would predict. The authors stress the urgent need for personalized, multidisciplinary monitoring strategies that include regular clinical evaluations and targeted imaging of high-risk organs for patients with DICER1 syndrome. Early detection and prompt intervention remain critical to improving outcomes in this rare but potentially lethal genetic condition.
Case reports in obstetrics and gynecology
Source →HPV-positive cancers at uncommon sites: a narrative review.
Agoni L, et al
A new narrative review published in Oncology Reviews examines the evidence surrounding Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections at anatomical sites beyond its well-known targets — the anogenital tract and oropharynx. While HPV is firmly established as the primary cause of cervical cancer and is linked to vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers, researchers explored its presence in less typical cancers of the lung, breast, bladder, and esophagus. The review synthesizes current data on how HPV may spread throughout the body and whether its detection in these uncommon sites represents a true causal role in cancer development or merely coincidental presence. Particular attention was paid to the distribution of HPV genotypes across these atypical cancer sites, which may help clarify biological mechanisms. The findings are clinically relevant because they raise important questions about HPV vaccination strategies and the potential need for broader screening in HPV-positive individuals diagnosed with cancers at non-classical sites.
Oncology reviews
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