Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Categorization of the Histopathological Diagnosis of Breast Core Needle Biopsies and the Correlation of the Risk of Malignancy With Diagnostic Accuracy.
Thiruvarasu PB, et al
A new study published in Cureus examined the usefulness of a standardized five-category system (B1–B5) for classifying breast core needle biopsy results, a common diagnostic procedure used to detect breast cancer. Researchers analyzed 66 biopsy cases, assigning each to a B category based on histopathological findings, and then compared biopsy diagnoses with those obtained from surgically removed tissue specimens. The majority of cases (65%) were classified as invasive carcinoma, while a smaller proportion fell into uncertain or benign categories, including four cases of atypical intraductal epithelial proliferations categorized as B3. For cases classified as potentially or definitely malignant (B4 and B5), the system demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with sensitivity of 88.8%, specificity of 90.9%, and overall diagnostic accuracy of 89.6%. The authors conclude that using B categorization, rather than purely descriptive pathology reports, improves communication between pathologists and clinicians and supports more consistent, evidence-based decisions about patient management.
Cureus
Source →Evaluating the Cost of Genomic Testing for Biomarker-Driven Therapies in Oncology.
Grossman JP, et al
Researchers developed a cost calculator to compare the expenses of next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel testing versus traditional single-gene testing (SGT) for cancer biomarkers in clinical practice. The calculator evaluated costs for more than 30 biomarkers listed in the 2024 ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets, covering 14 types of advanced cancer, and expressed results in both euros and US dollars adjusted to 2025 values. Using a metric called cost per correctly identified patient (CCIP), the study found that NGS was more cost-effective than sequential SGT for several cancers including metastatic colorectal cancer, advanced prostate cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, thyroid cancer, and cancer of unknown primary origin. These findings suggest that broader adoption of comprehensive genomic profiling in routine oncology practice could simultaneously reduce costs and improve the accuracy of identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapies. For clinicians and healthcare systems, this tool offers a practical framework for making evidence-based decisions about which testing strategy delivers the best value when guiding biomarker-driven cancer treatment.
Oncology and therapy
Source →The evolving role of [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT in reducing or replacing biopsy in selected malignancies: A narrative literature review.
Ibrahim EA, et al
A new narrative literature review published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences examines whether the advanced nuclear imaging technique known as FDG PET/CT can reduce or eliminate the need for surgical biopsy in certain cancer patients. Researchers systematically evaluated published evidence and major clinical guidelines to identify specific cancer types and clinical situations where this non-invasive imaging approach performs well enough to replace tissue sampling. The strongest evidence was found in lymphoma staging, where international guidelines already endorse FDG PET/CT as a replacement for bone marrow biopsy in Hodgkin lymphoma and most diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. In other cancers such as recurrent colorectal and esophageal cancer, the scan plays a critical role in sparing patients from unnecessary major surgeries, while in thyroid nodule evaluation it helps avoid unneeded diagnostic operations. The authors conclude that although biopsy remains the definitive diagnostic standard, there are well-defined, guideline-supported situations where FDG PET/CT can safely replace or defer invasive procedures, ultimately reducing patient burden and healthcare costs.
Journal of medical imaging and radiation sciences
Source →Two Cases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With QTc Prolongation During Selpercatinib Administration: A Case Report.
Nanjo K, et al
Researchers from Japan reported two cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma treated with selpercatinib, a targeted therapy that blocks a protein called RET, which drives tumor growth in certain thyroid cancers. Both patients experienced a serious heart-related side effect known as QTc prolongation — an abnormal lengthening of the heart's electrical cycle that can increase the risk of dangerous arrhythmias. In the first case, a 76-year-old woman with bone metastases regained the ability to walk after tumors shrank, but required treatment interruption and dose reduction due to the cardiac side effect. In the second case, a 54-year-old man with widespread metastases developed QTc prolongation on day 14 of treatment, yet after dose adjustment to 240 mg per day, his liver metastases resolved and other tumors decreased in size with no progression observed at 14 months. These cases highlight that while selpercatinib is highly effective, QTc prolongation may be a clinically meaningful concern in individual patients, and that careful cardiac monitoring combined with appropriate dose adjustment can allow continued treatment and sustained benefit.
Cureus
Source →Imaging of Ocular Surface Lesions Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.
Li WJ, et al
Researchers at a clinical ophthalmology center examined the diagnostic value of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), a non-invasive imaging technique, for identifying and characterizing a broad range of lesions on the ocular surface. The study presented a series of cases including both benign conditions such as pterygia, Salzmann's nodular degeneration, conjunctival nevus, and amyloidosis, as well as malignant entities including ocular surface squamous neoplasia, conjunctival melanoma, primary acquired melanosis, and conjunctival lymphoma. AS-OCT was found to provide detailed, real-time cross-sectional images of these lesions, enabling clinicians to distinguish between tissue layers and identify features suggestive of malignancy without requiring immediate surgical biopsy. The findings highlight that AS-OCT can meaningfully support clinical decision-making by guiding when and where to perform biopsies, as well as tracking how lesions respond to treatment over time. This non-invasive modality represents a valuable complement to traditional slit-lamp examination and histopathology, potentially improving patient outcomes through earlier and more accurate diagnosis.
Clinical & experimental ophthalmology
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