Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Optical biopsy of nasal cavity cancer with confocal laser endomicroscopy - a pilot study.
Müller-Diesing F, et al
Researchers conducted a pilot study evaluating confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) as a real-time, intraoperative optical biopsy tool for nasal cavity carcinoma (NCC), a cancer occurring in an anatomically sensitive region where even small amounts of excess tissue removal can cause significant cosmetic and functional harm. The study analyzed 68 CLE video sequences — half from tumor tissue and half from normal mucosa — across six patients, with three blinded investigators independently assessing 4,500 images using a scoring system previously developed for head and neck cancers. Tumor tissue was distinguishable from normal tissue by features such as structural irregularity, abnormal blood vessel patterns, variable cell sizes, and poorly defined cell borders. Investigators achieved an average sensitivity of 86.3% and specificity of 94.1%, with substantial agreement between expert judgment and the scoring system (Fleiss' kappa of 0.75). These findings suggest that CLE is a feasible tool for guiding surgeons during nasal cavity cancer operations, potentially enabling more precise tumor removal while minimizing unnecessary tissue loss. The authors call for larger prospective studies to confirm whether CLE can improve complete resection rates and reduce the need for extensive reconstructive surgery.
European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Source →Recurrent Mental Cutaneous Metastases Secondary to Bilateral Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Hoffman JL, et al
A rare case report published in Cureus documents an unusual presentation of bilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that led to both bladder and cutaneous (skin) metastases in a patient who survived for a prolonged period. Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common urinary tract cancers, and while it most frequently spreads to the lungs, bones, lymph nodes, liver, brain, and adrenal glands, spread to the skin and bladder is considered exceptionally rare, with fewer than one hundred bladder metastasis cases recorded in medical literature. In this case, the patient developed recurrent skin metastases that were treated with surgical removal, but the tumors continued to return, suggesting that surgery alone is not sufficient to control this type of metastatic disease. The authors emphasize that combination approaches, such as pairing surgery with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, may be necessary to prevent recurrence in similar cases. Ultimately, the patient transitioned to hospice care, underscoring the serious and often fatal nature of widely metastatic RCC. This case highlights the need for further clinical research into multimodal treatment strategies for patients with rare metastatic presentations of renal cell carcinoma.
Cureus
Source →Diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion using thoracoscopy combined with confocal endomicroscopy: a case report.
Ye S, et al
Researchers in China reported a case in which a novel combination of thoracoscopy and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) successfully diagnosed early-stage lung cancer in a patient with unexplained pleural effusion. Standard thoracoscopy, which allows physicians to visually inspect the pleural cavity lining the lungs, failed to detect any visible abnormalities in this patient despite elevated tumor markers in the blood. By adding CLE — a technique that provides real-time, microscope-level imaging of tissue directly inside the body — clinicians were able to identify clusters of abnormal, darkly pigmented cells on the pleural surface that were invisible to the naked eye. A targeted biopsy guided by these CLE findings confirmed the diagnosis of right upper lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. This case highlights the potential of CLE-enhanced thoracoscopy to reduce missed or delayed diagnoses in patients with early pleural involvement, which could meaningfully improve treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients.
American journal of translational research
Source →Kaposi Sarcoma Associated with Pemphigus Vulgaris in the Setting of Immunosuppressive Therapy: Case Report and Review of Literature.
Masouri H, et al
This case report, published in Case Reports in Dermatology, describes a rare and clinically significant complication observed in a 74-year-old woman with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), a chronic autoimmune disease causing severe skin and mucosal blistering. The patient developed iatrogenic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) — a vascular tumor primarily affecting the skin — following treatment with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (150 g) and prolonged systemic corticosteroids, both of which substantially suppress immune function. Strikingly, reducing and tapering these immunosuppressive medications, which is generally considered the first-line approach to resolving iatrogenic KS, failed to induce regression of the tumor lesions in this patient. This outcome prompted oncologic referral and highlights that iatrogenic KS arising in the context of autoimmune disease may follow a more aggressive clinical course than cases linked to organ transplantation alone. The case serves as an important reminder for dermatologists and rheumatologists that patients on long-term immunosuppressive regimens require close skin surveillance, and that prompt oncologic consultation is essential when KS is suspected, as standard management may prove insufficient.
Case reports in dermatology
Source →A unilateral chronic plaque on the leg.
Riekhof I, et al
This case report published in JAAD Case Reports presents a clinical case of a patient with a unilateral chronic plaque localized on the leg, a presentation that posed a diagnostic challenge due to its persistence and distinctive distribution. Chronic unilateral plaques on the lower extremities can mimic a wide range of dermatological conditions, including psoriasis, lichen planus, morphea, cutaneous lymphoma, and various inflammatory dermatoses, making accurate diagnosis critical. The case highlights the importance of thorough clinical evaluation, including dermoscopy and histopathological examination, to distinguish between these entities and arrive at the correct diagnosis. This report serves as a valuable educational resource for dermatologists and general practitioners, reinforcing that atypical or treatment-resistant skin lesions confined to one limb warrant careful workup to exclude rare or serious underlying conditions. Timely and accurate diagnosis directly impacts patient management and outcomes, particularly when malignant or systemic causes must be ruled out.
JAAD case reports
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