Exploring cell competition for the prevention and therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by the development of cancer in the esophageal squamous epithelium through a step-by-step accumulation of genetic, epigenetic, and histopathological alterations. Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer-associated gene mutations exist in histologically normal or precancerous clones of the human esophageal epithelium. However, only a small proportion of such mutant clones will develop ESCC, and most ESCC patients develop only one cancer.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum-An Unexpected Diagnosis: Current Treatment Options for a Rare and Aggressive Entity.

Rectal small cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cancer subtype for which a consensus of optimal treatment has not yet been reached. This cancer presents a difficult surgical problem, and thus, the mainstay of treatment tends to mirror that of small cell carcinoma of the lung (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immune modulators). This brief report highlights current treatment options available for this rare and difficult entity.