Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Unusual metastasis of breast cancer to the paranasal sinuses: a case report.
Siddique H, et al
A case report published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports describes an exceptionally rare occurrence of breast cancer spreading to the paranasal sinuses, a region almost never affected by metastatic disease. A 70-year-old Pakistani woman who had previously undergone mastectomy and chemotherapy for invasive ductal carcinoma presented years later with neurological symptoms including altered consciousness and aphasia, which imaging and biopsy traced to a destructive lesion in the frontal sinus, ethmoid air cells, and posterior parietal bone. Because paranasal sinus metastases can closely mimic benign conditions such as rhinosinusitis, diagnosis is frequently delayed, making clinical vigilance in breast cancer survivors essential. The patient was managed with palliative radiotherapy and supportive care, yet her condition continued to decline and she passed away two years after the metastatic diagnosis. This case underscores that metastatic breast cancer can appear in highly unusual anatomical locations many years after the original diagnosis, challenging clinicians to maintain a broad index of suspicion. The authors emphasize that multidisciplinary, patient-centered care remains the cornerstone of management when curative options are limited.
Journal of medical case reports
Source →Immune dysregulation in thymoma: a potential mechanistic link to secondary lung cancer-a case report.
Taki-Aldin S, et al
A case report published in Mediastinum describes a 71-year-old male smoker who was diagnosed with both type A thymoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an ERBB2 mutation, prompting investigation into a possible biological link between these two conditions. The anterior mediastinal mass was initially suspected to be a lung cancer metastasis, but biopsy confirmed it as thymoma, characterized by spindle-shaped epithelial cells, immature thymocytes, and B-cell aggregates on histology. The patient also developed spontaneous acute pericarditis with elevated inflammatory markers in the absence of any identifiable infectious or autoimmune cause, suggesting thymoma-driven systemic immune dysregulation. The authors hypothesize that the thymoma disrupted central immune tolerance by impairing AIRE-mediated regulatory mechanisms and fostered a pro-inflammatory cytokine environment that reduced immunosurveillance, potentially facilitating lung carcinogenesis. This case underscores the importance of recognizing thymoma not only as a source of classical paraneoplastic syndromes but also as a potential driver of secondary malignancies, with implications for long-term oncological surveillance and personalized therapeutic strategies in affected patients.
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China)
Source →TSPY-like 2, Beyond the Histone Chaperone Role.
Bonenti E, et al
A new review published in Biomolecules examines the multifaceted roles of the protein TSPYL2, a member of the nucleosome assembly protein (NAP) superfamily, which helps package and organize DNA inside cells. While TSPYL2 was initially identified as a histone chaperone—a protein that assists in wrapping DNA around histone proteins to form chromatin—researchers have since discovered that it performs many additional critical functions, including regulating gene transcription, controlling cell-cycle progression, and coordinating the cellular response to DNA damage. The review highlights that TSPYL2 also exhibits sex-related biological activity, adding an unexpected dimension to its already complex biological profile. Defects or dysregulation of TSPYL2 have been linked to cancer development as well as neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting it plays a broad and important role in human health. For clinicians and researchers, understanding the full spectrum of TSPYL2's functions could open new avenues for diagnosing or treating cancers and neurological conditions where this protein is implicated. This comprehensive overview positions TSPYL2 as a promising target for future therapeutic investigation beyond its originally described role in chromatin biology.
Biomolecules
Source →Beyond the Prostate: Incidental Detection of Male Breast Carcinoma on [18F]DCFPyl.
Ali FZ, et al
This case report describes the incidental detection of male breast carcinoma during a PSMA-targeted PET imaging scan using the radiotracer [18F]DCFPyL, which is primarily used to detect and stage prostate cancer. A male patient undergoing prostate cancer evaluation with [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging showed unexpected radiotracer uptake in the breast region, which upon further investigation was confirmed to be a previously undiagnosed breast carcinoma. This finding highlights the fact that PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) can be overexpressed not only in prostate cancer but also in other malignancies, including breast cancer, making PSMA-targeted imaging capable of revealing unexpected secondary tumors. For clinicians, this case underscores the importance of carefully evaluating all areas of abnormal uptake on PSMA PET scans, as incidental findings may represent clinically significant cancers beyond the primary indication. Early detection of such incidental malignancies can meaningfully alter patient management and potentially improve outcomes.
Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine
Source →The Diagnostic Value of PET/CT and MRI in Head and Neck Cancer of Unknown Primary.
Nielsen SB, et al
A new study from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of two imaging techniques — PET/CT and MRI — in patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP), a challenging condition where cancer is found in lymph nodes but its original site cannot be immediately identified. Researchers followed 295 consecutive HNCUP patients over five years, with expert radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists independently reviewing each scan and comparing results against tissue biopsy findings. PET/CT demonstrated a higher detection rate of 43% and sensitivity of 74% compared to MRI's 36% detection rate and 66% sensitivity, with the difference reaching statistical significance. Crucially, when both imaging methods were used together, the primary tumor was successfully identified in 51% of all HNCUP patients and 58% of those with squamous cell carcinoma — substantially better than either modality alone. The findings suggest that PET/CT should be preferred as the first-line imaging test when only one scan is possible, while MRI remains valuable for adding staging information and identifying additional tumors. Clinicians managing HNCUP patients can use these results to guide more precise, individualized diagnostic strategies that improve treatment planning outcomes.
Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology
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