Radiation-Induced Esophageal Cancer: Investigating the Pathogenesis, Management, and Prognosis.

One of the most serious late side effects of irradiation is the promotion of tumorigenesis. Radiation-induced esophageal cancer (RIEC) can arise in a previously irradiated field, mostly in patients previously irradiated for thoracic malignancies such as breast cancer, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, head and neck cancers, lung cancer, or previous esophageal cancer. RIEC is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all carcinomas of the esophagus.

Clinical course of COVID-19 infection in a melanoma patient treated with nivolumab and bempegaldesleukin: a case report.

The exact impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the course and outcome of COVID-19 in cancer patients is currently unclear. Herein, we present the first description of an elderly melanoma patient who developed COVID-19 pneumonia while under treatment with nivolumab and bempegaldesleukin in combination with an investigational PEGylated interleukin (IL-2). We present the clinical characteristics and the laboratory and imaging findings of our patient during the course of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Metastatic malignant melanoma of the breast: report of a case and review of the literature.

Melanoma is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the world. Associated morbidity and mortality are mainly related to metastatic potential. Metastases to the breast from malignant melanoma are rare and represent only 1.

Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy versus Open Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) was introduced as a further development of the conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy, aiming to further improve the high morbidity and mortality associated with open esophagectomy. We aimed to compare the outcomes between RAMIE and open esophagectomy, which remains a popular approach for resectable esophageal cancer. Ten studies meeting our inclusion criteria were identified, including five retrospective cohort, four prospective cohort, and one randomized controlled trial.

Oncologic outcomes of patients with resectable primary gastric squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review.

Background: Primary gastric squamous cell carcinoma (PGSCC) is an uncommon type of gastric malignancy estimated to comprise around 0.04-0.5% of all gastric malignancies.

Pevonedistat plus azacitidine vs azacitidine alone in higher-risk MDS/chronic myelomonocytic leukemia or low-blast-percentage AML.

PANTHER is a global, randomized phase 3 trial of pevonedistat+azacitidine (n = 227) vs azacitidine monotherapy (n = 227) in patients with newly diagnosed higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS; n = 324), higher-risk chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n = 27), or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with 20% to 30% blasts (n = 103). The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS). In the intent-to-treat population, the median EFS was 17.

Portopulmonary Hypertension: A Review of the Current Literature.

Portopulmonary hypertension is defined as the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in the setting of portal hypertension with or without liver cirrhosis. Portal hypertension-associated haemodynamic changes, including hyperdynamic state, portosystemic shunts and splanchnic vasodilation, induce significant alterations in pulmonary vascular bed and play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the disease. If left untreated, portopulmonary hypertension results in progressive right heart failure, with a poor prognosis.

Safety and immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a prospective study.

Introduction: Immunization of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with vaccines against several infectious diseases has proven insufficient. Data on seroconversion of patients with CLL after vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are still young, but accumulating evidence shows low seroconversion rates.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, noninterventional study evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, administered 21 days apart in consecutive adult patients with CLL.

The Role of Toll-like Receptors in Esophageal Cancer.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC) develops through Barrett's esophagus (BE) and columnar dysplasia, preceded by gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is increased with tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can act as prognostic factors and potential therapeutic targets of esophageal cancer.

Increased Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Members of the Athens Medical Association Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.

Healthcare workers are at high risk of influenza virus infection as well as of transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients who may be at high risk of severe illness. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and related factors of influenza vaccination coverage (2020-2021flu season), among members of the Athens Medical Association in Greece. This survey employed secondary analysis data from a questionnaire-based dataset on COVID-19 vaccination coverage and associated factors from surveyed doctors, registered within the largest medical association in Greece.

Symptomatic ovarian involvement as the initial presentation of primary mediastinal large b-cell lymphoma.

Primary mediastinal large B- cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) is a mature aggressive B-cell lymphoma which affects mainly young and middle-aged women. The majority of patients present with bulky mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Extranodal involvement is a rare phenomenon at disease presentation.

A case report of a fulminant soft tissue infection in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia harboring a rare translocation.

Introduction: are gram-negative opportunistic bacteria, mainly found in aquatic environments. Hematologic patients are particularly at risk of soft tissue infections and septicemia, especially during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Case Description: A 46-year-old man was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia characterized by the rare (12;17)(p13;q21)/ aberration.

Robotic Living Donor Right Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The introduction of robotics in living donor liver transplantation has been revolutionary. We aimed to examine the safety of robotic living donor right hepatectomy (RLDRH) compared to open (ODRH) and laparoscopic (LADRH) approaches. A systematic review was carried out in Medline and six additional databases following PRISMA guidelines.

Real-life Experience With Rituximab-CHOP Every 21 or 14 Days in Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma.

Background/aim: Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), whose prognosis has greatly improved since the incorporation of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab into current therapeutic regimens. Evidence, however, on the optimal time interval between consecutive chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) cycles is still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy outcomes of the more commonly administered 3-weekly regimens to the biweekly ones in a PMLBCL patients' population, who were mostly treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone every 21 days (R-CHOP-21) or R-CHOP-14.

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to Self-Testing Procedure against COVID-19 among Greek Students: A Pilot Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on health, economy, society and education. In the effort to return to normalcy, according to the instructions of the Greek Government for the resumption of the operation of schools, a screening Rapid Antigen Detection Test with the method of self-testing is required for students twice per week, for the early identification and isolation of positive cases. We aimed to pivotally investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to self-testing procedures against COVID-19 among Greek students.

Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Moving beyond Rituximab.

Although rituximab has revolutionized the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a significant proportion of patients experience refractory disease or relapse early after the end of treatment. The lack of effective treatment options in the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting had made the prognosis of these patients dismal. The initial enthusiasm for novel anti-CD20 antibodies had been short-lived as they failed to prove their superiority to rituximab.

Tailored treatment strategies and future directions in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for physicians due to its protean manifestations and unpredictable course. The disease may manifest as multisystemic or organ-dominant and severity at presentation may vary according to age at onset (childhood-, adult- or late-onset SLE). Different manifestations may respond variably to different immunosuppressive medications and, even within the same organ-system, the severity of inflammation may vary from mild to organ-threatening.

An exploration of the quality of life of people living with HIV in Greece: Challenges and opportunities.

Objective: Improving the quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV (PLWH) has been proposed as a new priority in HIV care. The objective of this cross-sectional, qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of PLWH in Greece regarding their QoL.

Design: Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with PLWH receiving care across six HIV clinics in Greece.