[F]FDG PET/CT: Lung Nodule Evaluation in Patients Affected by Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is generally characterized by low-FDG avidity, and [F]FDG-PET/CT is not recommended to stage the primary tumor. However, its role to assess metastases is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of [F]FDG-PET/CT in correctly identifying RCC lung metastases using histology as the standard of truth.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Correlation between Functional Imaging and Clinical Outcomes in Grade 3 Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs G3).

Grade 3 (G3) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a novel category among digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms, characterized by Ki-67 >20% and a well-differentiated morphology, presenting high intra-tumor heterogeneity. We aimed to explore the role of dual-tracer PET imaging (Gallium (Ga)-DOTATOC and Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)) as overall survival (OS) predictor in NET G3 patients. We performed a retrospective analysis in NET G3 patients treated at our institution between 2003 and 2021.

[Vitamin D: from antirachitic factor to indicator of the general state of health].

Vitamin D has long been known for its effect of promoting intestinal absorption of calcium as well as bone mineralization and its deficiency leads to bone disease, rickets, once common in children. Recently, the receptor for vitamin D was found in cell types different from those commonly involved in calcium homeostasis and in vitro studies show that vitamin D is actively involved in cellular differentiation, also playing an antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory function. In the meantime epidemiological observations showed an association between low levels of vitamin D and certain diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some immune system defects (allergy, asthma, multiple sclerosis); taken together these data suggests that contrasting deficiency of vitamin D will contribute to lower the risk of several major diseases.

[Molecular aspects of obesity and related-pathologies].

The structure of human genetic machinery aimed at energy homeostasis has been set-up to face food deficiency rather than availability of a larger amount of calories compared with those needed for activities and works characterized by a little expenditure of energy. A epidemiologic-like, global-extended trend of obesity growth is observable, a condition associated with other pathologies that increase mobility and mortality in all ranges of ages. A correct management of obesity is a global challenge that involves both health improvement and socioeconomic aspects (i.

Microsatellite instability in colorectal-cancer patients with suspected genetic predisposition.

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a dominantly inherited syndrome linked to DNA-mismatch-repair (MMR) gene defects, which also account for microsatellite instability (MSI) in tumour tissues. Diagnosis is based mainly on family history, according to widely accepted criteria (Amsterdam Criteria: AC). Aim of this work was to assess MSI in colorectal-cancer patients with suspected genetic predisposition, and to verify whether MSI represents a tool to manage MMR gene (hMSH2 and hMLH1) mutation analysis.