Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Malignant melanocytic lesions in clinically suspected pterygium.
Hajdu RI, et al
Researchers at the University of Freiburg, Germany, conducted a 25-year retrospective study to determine how often malignant melanocytic lesions are hidden within tissue samples clinically diagnosed as pterygium, a common benign growth on the surface of the eye. Analyzing 2,298 conjunctival specimens labeled as pterygium between 1999 and 2024, they found that seven cases (0.30%) actually harbored a malignant melanocytic lesion, including four invasive conjunctival melanomas and three high-grade precancerous lesions. Strikingly, three of the four melanomas were amelanotic or hypomelanotic, meaning they lacked the dark pigmentation typically associated with melanoma, making them particularly difficult to distinguish from benign pterygia during clinical examination. These findings highlight a rare but serious diagnostic pitfall: conjunctival melanoma can visually mimic a harmless pterygium, especially when it occurs in atypical locations or lacks pigment. The study's authors conclude that routine histopathological examination of all surgically removed pterygium specimens is essential to avoid missing unexpected malignancies. This recommendation has direct implications for ophthalmologists worldwide, as skipping tissue analysis could delay the diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening cancer.
The British journal of ophthalmology
Source →Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of oesophagus, stomach, and pancreatic cancers: a multi case-control study.
Torres-Collado L, et al
A new multi-case-control study published in Frontiers in Nutrition examined the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the risk of oesophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers among 1,218 participants in a Mediterranean region of Spain. Researchers used the NOVA food classification system to assess dietary habits reported five years before interview and applied statistical modeling to compare cancer risk across consumption levels. The study found that people in the highest third of UPF intake faced more than double the risk of oesophageal cancer and a 56% higher risk of stomach cancer compared to those with the lowest intake. Specific UPF subcategories drove these associations: ultra-processed dairy products and sweets or pastries were particularly linked to stomach cancer, while ultra-processed drinks and pre-cooked foods were associated with oesophageal cancer risk. No significant link was found between UPF consumption and pancreatic cancer. These findings suggest that reducing ultra-processed food intake, especially specific categories, may be an important dietary strategy for lowering gastrointestinal cancer risk, and clinicians may wish to incorporate UPF guidance into nutritional counseling for at-risk patients.
Frontiers in nutrition
Source →Cystadenoma of Minor Salivary Glands With Cervical Metastasis: A Diagnostic Pitfall Revealing Underlying Cystadenocarcinoma.
Prateaux MA, et al
Researchers report a rare and diagnostically challenging case of papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the minor salivary glands, a tumor type so uncommon that distinguishing it from its benign counterpart remains a significant challenge even for experienced pathologists. A 58-year-old woman was initially diagnosed with a benign papillary cystadenoma, only to develop cervical lymph node metastasis two years later, at which point the diagnosis was revised to low-grade cystadenocarcinoma. The case underscores a critical diagnostic pitfall: even tumors that appear histologically benign can harbor malignant potential and must be thoroughly examined in their entirety to avoid missing focal areas of malignancy. Clinicians and pathologists are urged to maintain long-term surveillance for patients diagnosed with salivary gland cystadenomas, as recurrence and metastasis can occur even years after initial treatment. The authors also call for molecular studies comparing localized and metastatic forms of these tumors to better understand their biology and improve future diagnostic accuracy.
Cureus
Source →Incidentally Detected Asymptomatic Epiglottic Capillary Hemangioma in a 66-Year-Old Female: A Case Report.
Kawasumi Y, et al
Researchers report a rare case of a capillary hemangioma — a benign blood vessel tumor — discovered on the epiglottis of a 66-year-old woman during a routine general anesthesia procedure. The lesion was entirely asymptomatic and had gone undetected until that point, underscoring how such growths can silently develop in adults despite being far more common in children. Diagnostic imaging with MRI and direct laryngeal endoscopy revealed a bluish-red, pedunculated mass with rich vascularity but no signs of deep tissue infiltration. Surgical excision was performed due to the potential risk of life-threatening airway obstruction, and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of capillary hemangioma with no recurrence at one-year follow-up. This case highlights the clinical importance of thoroughly evaluating incidentally found vascular lesions of the larynx in adults, as proactive surgical management can provide a definitive diagnosis and prevent potentially fatal complications.
Cureus
Source →HER2 expression and HER2 gene amplification in thymic epithelial tumors: a narrative review.
Agrafiotis AC, et al
A narrative review published in Mediastinum investigated the role of HER2 protein expression and gene amplification in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), a rare group of malignancies arising in the anterior chest cavity that remain poorly understood at the molecular level. Researchers systematically searched three major medical databases — PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science — identifying nine eligible studies that examined HER2 status across thymomas and thymic carcinomas. The findings revealed highly variable rates of HER2 protein expression across studies, with some reporting positivity in up to 58.3% of thymic carcinoma cases, while others detected expression in as few as one out of twenty-two patients, and several studies found little to no expression at all. Critically, true HER2 gene amplification — the molecular alteration that typically drives HER2-targeted therapies such as trastuzumab — was rare across all reviewed studies, appearing in only isolated individual cases. Nevertheless, the emergence of antibody-drug conjugates capable of targeting tumors with low or moderate HER2 protein expression raises the possibility that HER2 could still represent a viable therapeutic target in thymic carcinomas, potentially expanding treatment options for patients with this difficult-to-treat cancer. The authors conclude that further standardized molecular profiling studies in larger TET cohorts are needed to clarify the true prevalence and clinical significance of HER2 in this disease.
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China)
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