Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Friend or Foe.

Introduction: Most breast cancers require neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the response to primary systemic therapy (PST) is crucial for deciding on the surgical technique and predicting patient outcomes. However, chemotherapy also brings numerous side effects, with cardiovascular issues being some of the most significant, common and challenging to manage.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 71-year-old woman diagnosed with stage T2N1M0 Luminal B breast cancer.

Predictive Factors of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer Validated by Three Anatomopathological Scores: Residual Cancer Burden, Chevallier System, and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective, observational, descriptive study was to identify predictors of response to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients and to validate them using three anatomopathological scores, such as residual cancer burden (RCB) score, Chevallier system, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) score.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a study on 88 female patients aged 37 to 78 years with confirmed breast cancer who were indicated for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed different individual variables (such as age, menarche, and menopause), clinical/imaging characteristics of the breast tumor and axillary nodes, immunohistochemical biomarkers (such as ER/PR/HER2 and Ki67), and histopathological features (such as subtype and grading) in relation to three anatomopathological scores calculated based on the surgical resection specimen.

Variability in Diagnosis and Management of Hypoglycemia in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Objective:  Hypoglycemia, the most common metabolic derangement in the newborn period remains a contentious issue, not only due to various numerical definitions, but also due to limited therapeutical options which either lack evidence to support their efficacy or are increasingly recognized to lead to adverse reactions in this population. This study aimed to investigate neonatologists' current attitudes in diagnosing and managing transient and persistent hypoglycemia in newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Methods:  A web-based electronic survey which included 34 questions and a clinical vignette was sent to U.

A rare description of pure partial trisomy of 16q12.2q24.3 and review of the literature.

Trisomy 16 is the most common autosomal trisomy in humans, which is almost uniformly embryonic lethal. Partial trisomy 16 including a segment of the long arm of chromosome 16 is occasionally compatible with life and has been associated with severe congenital defects, growth retardation, and early lethality. Segmental trisomy of 16q is usually described concomitantly with partial monosomy of another chromosome, often resulting from a parental balanced translocation.

Rhizopus Infection in a Preterm Infant: A Novel Use of Posaconazole.

Posaconazole is a triazole antifungal with activity against Rhizopus, but data on its use and pharmacokinetics in preterm infants are scarce. In this case, a 24 4/7-week neonate's Rhizopus infection is successfully treated with debridement and combination antifungal therapy with amphotericin B, micafungin and enteral posaconazole. This is the first reported posaconazole use in a preterm neonate with Rhizopus.

Gastric Metastasis of Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma, a Current Diagnostic and Treatment Challenge - A Review.

The predilection of lobular invasive breast cancer metastasis for the stomach is a topic that has succumbed to various assumptions over the time. Background and Aims: Gastric metastasis of lobular breast cancer is unusual and it can be diagnosed after a long period of time from primary tumor diagnosis. The aim of this study was to review current knowledge regarding the current methods of diagnosis and treatment of gastric metastasis of breast cancer.

Postoperative Esophageal Leaks in Malignant Pathology - Optimal Management: A Systematic Review.

Background And Aims: Postoperative esophageal leaks are one of the major causes of postoperative mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to review current knowledge of current methods of diagnosis and management of postoperative esophageal leaks. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed/Medline database using the terms "postoperative esophageal leaks" and "postesophagectomy complications" to identify articles relevant to the current diagnostic and prophylactic and curative treatment of post-oesophagectomy anastomotic fistulas.

Implementation of an acute DVT ambulatory care pathway in a large urban centre: current challenges and future opportunities.

Background: Ambulatory management of isolated acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is the recommended standard of care in selected populations. However, in practice a significant number of patients continue to be managed as in-patients.

Objectives: In this study we aimed to evaluate acute DVT treatment pathways in our emergency department (ED) in practice and to identify barriers to outpatient management.

Mechanistic role of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1B1 in oxygen-mediated toxicity in pulmonary cells: A novel target for prevention of hyperoxic lung injury.

Supplemental oxygen, which is routinely administered to preterm infants with pulmonary insufficiency, contributes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in these infants. Hyperoxia also contributes to the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults. The mechanisms of oxygen-mediated pulmonary toxicity are not completely understood.

KRAS gene mutations - prognostic factor in colorectal cancer?

The colorectal cancer (CRC) modern therapy is using adjuvant and neoadjuvant companion therapeutic agents, part of them having an anti-angiogenic action. Their benefic effect can be annulated by some gene mutations, which are interfering in signal transduction pathways. One of the more frequent activating mutations is occurring in the KRAS gene.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in colorectal cancer: associations with tumor site and TNM stage.

Background And Aim: Colon tumor carcinogenesis and rectal tumor carcinogenesis have each been associated with different genetic features, but data are still controversial and are insufficient to support their distinct molecular biology. Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have also found heterogeneity in colorectal cancer (CRC) risks based on population ethnicity and tumor features. Several single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are described in the literature as having site and/or stage specificity, including rs10795668, rs3802842, rs6983267, and rs4939827.

A germline variant in the TP53 polyadenylation signal confers cancer susceptibility.

To identify new risk variants for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, we performed a genome-wide association study of 16 million SNPs identified through whole-genome sequencing of 457 Icelanders. We imputed genotypes for 41,675 Illumina SNP chip-typed Icelanders and their relatives. In the discovery phase, the strongest signal came from rs78378222[C] (odds ratio (OR) = 2.

Pseudo-achalasic behaviour of a middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Pseudo-achalasia is a rare pathologic entity that mimics idiopathic achalasia, usually secondary to malignant infiltration of the cardia. Its significance is related to the fact that it may be difficult to distinguish from primary achalasia; the outcome and therapeutic course are different. In fact, a large variety of processes may be responsible for the development of a secondary achalasia syndrome; we present a case with pseudo-achalasia due to a middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

[Features of Krukenberg-type tumors--clinical study and review].

Krukenberg-type tumors (KT) are rare among ovarian metastases, but responsible for the most frequent diagnostic confusions with ovarian cancer. They are peculiar: uncertain pathogenesis, challenging etiological diagnosis, poorer prognosis for the primary. We studied 9 cases, with a mean age of 52 years, operated since 2001; no case was discovered as a result of prophylactic oophorectomy.

[Simultaneous bilateral breast carcinoma--case study and review of primitive bilateral breast cancer].

Bilateral breast cancer is uncommon and difficult to define because it may manifest as simultaneous, synchronous or metachronous tumours. The true clonal origin and biologic behaviour are still controversial. Following a right breast contusion, bilateral breast tumours were diagnosed in a 74 old female patient; the left one, neglected for 3 years, typically scirrous; the right one with cystic, pseudo-inflammatory appearance.

[Incisional hernia repair using full-thickness intraperitoneal mesh].

Prosthetic materials proved to be a real success for incisional hernia repair, still there is a strong debate regarding the best mesh and procedure to be used. Most surgeons avoid full-thickness replacement with intraperitoneal mesh because, occasionally, an intense inflammatory response may lead to severe adhesions or enterocutaneous fistula. Still, interposition of the omentum between the abdominal contents and the mesh is a safe and natural method of visceral protection.

[Infiltrating mucinous carcinoma developed on chronic anal fistula; diagnostic and surgical difficulties].

Anal carcinoma is rare; fistula-in-ano is sometimes mentioned among other premalignant conditions. Chronic anal fistula is associated with malignant transformation to mucinous adenocarcinoma, difficult to diagnose in the anal region and associated to a poor prognosis. Malignant transformation to infiltrating colloid carcinoma was surprised during a one year period, in a patient with long-standing perianal fistula (24 years).

[Osteo-articular manifestations after suppurative pancreatitis].

Osseous and joint manifestations (decalcification, osteolysis, osteonecrosis; poliarthrytis; periarticular fat necrosis) are sometimes encountered in chronic pancreatitis or carcinoma, but exceptional after severe acute pancreatitis, especially infected pancreatic necrosis. Pathogenesis of calcium deficiency in acute pancreatitis is multifactorial, including extensive lipolysis and metabolic disturbances. We report on a healthy, young male, that developed decalcification and polyarthritis consecutive to a long-outcome, severe acute pancreatitis.