Publications by authors named "Alexander Didier"

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and kidney transplant (KTx) recipients presents challenges in stroke risk management. This study aimed to compare hospitalization rates for ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events in ESKD and KTx patients with and without AF.

Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (2005-2019), retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalizations for ESKD and KTx patients with and without AF.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) following a mastectomy, combined with radiotherapy, presents a multifaceted approach to breast cancer treatment, balancing oncological safety and aesthetic outcomes. IBR, typically involving the use of implants or autologous tissue, aims to restore breast morphology directly after a mastectomy, minimizing the psychological and physical impacts. However, integrating radiotherapy with IBR is complex due to the potential adverse effects on reconstructed tissues.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Pancreatic cancer is a major public health issue, ranking as a leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, with nearly 39,000 deaths annually from 1999 to 2020.
  • A slight increase in age-adjusted mortality rates was observed, with the highest rates among those aged 65 and older, and significant disparities in mortality trends between racial groups and geographic locations.
  • Findings indicate that Black individuals experienced a decrease in mortality over time, while White individuals saw an increase, particularly in rural areas, emphasizing the need for targeted efforts to address these disparities in treatment and outcomes.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Ewing sarcomas of the axial skeleton represent a notable challenge for clinicians because of their aggressive presentation and tendency to obstruct neurovascular structures; however, little data exist regarding axial tumors in children. This study is the first population-based analysis assessing treatment regimens for axial Ewing sarcomas and their effects on cancer-specific survival and overall survival (OS).

Methods: Data from 2004 to 2019 were collected for all patients aged 1 to 24 years from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Melanoma cases have risen over the years, remaining a major cause of cancer deaths despite treatment improvements; understanding the demographic differences in mortality is key for effective interventions.
  • - An analysis of melanoma deaths in the U.S. from 1999 to 2020 revealed a decline in the age-adjusted mortality rate, with higher rates in men, older individuals, and non-Hispanic Whites; significant disparities exist between rural and urban populations.
  • - The findings suggest advancements in diagnosis and treatment have contributed to improved outcomes since 2013, but ongoing disparities highlight the need for focused efforts in screening and education to reduce melanoma mortality rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and is projected to account for 127,070 deaths in 2023. Although the lung cancer mortality rate has been decreasing over the last decade, demographic disparities in mortality still exist. We sought to determine the impact of demographic factors on lung cancer mortality and trends in the United States.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Machine learning (ML) techniques have gained increasing attention in the field of healthcare, including predicting outcomes in patients with lung cancer. ML has the potential to enhance prognostication in lung cancer patients and improve clinical decision-making. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the performance of ML models compared to logistic regression (LR) models in predicting overall survival in patients with lung cancer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Immunotherapy has revolutionized how cancer is treated. Many of these immunotherapies rely on expansion of immune cells, classically T cells. Still, several immunological obstacles remain, including tumor impermeability by immune cells and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal diseases worldwide and incidence continues to rise, resulting in increased deaths each year. In the modern era, patients often turn to online sources like YouTube for information regarding their disease, which may be subject to a high degree of bias and misinformation; previous analyses have demonstrated low quality of other cancer-related YouTube videos. Thus, we sought to determine if patients can rely on educational YouTube videos for accurate and comprehensive information about pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: This study examines trends in racial and gender diversity of trainees within Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowships, and compares the racial and gender proportions of trainees across different fields to assess potential barriers to increasing diversity within surgical oncology training programs.

Methods: Accredited Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) data were queried to identify surgical trainees between 2013 and 2021. Trainees were identified based on self-reported race and gender and were stratified based on residency type and fellowship program type if applicable.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Oxidative stress, a condition characterized by an imbalance between pro-oxidant molecules and antioxidant defense systems, is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to cancer development. This is because the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during oxidative stress can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids to facilitate mutations and other cellular changes that promote cancer growth. Antioxidant supplementation is a potential strategy for decreasing cancer incidence; by reducing oxidative stress, DNA damage and other deleterious cellular changes may be attenuated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF