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Chordomas are rare tumours that originate anywhere along the craniospinal axis and present various diagnostic hurdles. High recurrence rate even after treatment and tendency to involve other regions within the craniospinal axis make this condition more devastating. Hence, early and timely recognition is of utmost importance in order to choose an appropriate therapeutic modality as well as to achieve better recovery and long-term survival. This case report discusses a case of 47-year-old woman who presented with a history of gradually worsening headaches and nasal discharge. The findings obtained from Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) of the brain were indicative of clival chordoma with associated mass-effects and loco-regional spread. To the best of our knowledge, only a few cases of clival chordoma are reported from the Indian subcontinent.

Cadmium (Cd) poisoning has been globally reported causing detrimental health issues with severe toxic effects on certain physiological systems. Here the effects of different concentrations of Cadmium were assessed on the metamorphosis and development of common Indian tree frogs (Polypedates maculatus, Gray 1830). The tadpoles were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (up to 0.7 mg/l) of Cd in dechlorinated water from the larval stage to adulthood. Survival, growth traits (body length and body mass), external deformities and movement were some of the morpho-physiological characters compared between control and experimental samples. Followed by the determination of acute toxicity (median lethal concentration–LC50– after 24 h (5.603 mg/l) and 48 h (4.811 mg/l) of exposure), impacts associated with chronic toxicity of Cd to the tadpoles were inspected. The study showed multiple physiological deformities in the tadpoles chronically exposed to 0.5 and 0.7 mg/l Cd that included morphological malformations, pale skin colour, insipid motility, delayed metamorphosis and even high mortality. In addition to that, the tadpoles treated with 0.5 and 0.7 mg/l Cd showed significantly lesser growth traits than the controls over the study period. The paper aims to contribute in increasing ecotoxicological knowledge of an anuran species from which there is not much information of this type. Given the wide geographical distribution of the study species, it can serve as a bio-indicator of cadmium contamination, considering its applicability across a large swath of aquatic ecosystems in the Indian subcontinent.

Background: The modern concept of oligometastatic (OM) state has been initially developed to describe patients with a low burden of disease and with a potential for cure with local ablative treatments. We systematically assessed the risk of death and relapse of oligometastatic (OM) cancers compared to cancers with more diffuse metastatic spread, through a meta-analysis of published data. Methods: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting prognosis of patients with OM solid tumors. Risk of death and relapse were extracted and pooled to provide an adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval (HR 95%CI). The primary outcome of the study refers to overall mortality in OM vs. polymetastatic (PM) patients. Results. Mortality and relapse associated with OM state in patients with cancer were evaluated among 104,234 participants (n=173 studies). Progression-free survival was better in patients with OM disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62, 95% CI 0.57–0.68; P

Introduction: Myxoid sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumours exhibiting overlapping histomorphological features with varied biological behaviour. Hence, additional ancillary techniques like Immunohistochemistry (IHC) are necessary for definite diagnosis and categorisation of the myxoid sarcomas. Aim: To identify the distribution of myxoid sarcomas among patients and also to evaluate the utility of basic IHC in the diagnosis of myxoid sarcomas. Materials and Methods: This was six years retrospective observational cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Pathology, Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, during the period of January 2008-December 2013. Relevant pathological data of all the myxoid sarcomas reported during the study period were retrieved from the medical records. Corresponding Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained slides were reviewed and IHC was done using a panel of markers for confirmation. Results: Among the 57 myxoid sarcomas, 46% occurred in the age group of 41-60 years with a striking male preponderance (74%). Myxofibrosarcoma was the most common histological type (33.33%). All cases of myxofibrosarcoma were positive for vimentin while two cases showed focal Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA) positivity and one case showed focal CD34 positivity. Low grade fibromyxoid sarcomas were positive for only vimentin. Myxoid liposarcomas and extra-skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas showed vimentin and S100 positivity. Myxoid Dermato Fibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) was positive for vimentin and CD34 while synovial sarcoma with myxoid change was positive for vimentin and Pancytokeratin (Pan CK). Myxoid Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour (MPNST) showed 100% vimentin and S100 positivity while CD34 was positive in 12.5% of cases. Leiomyosarcoma with myxoid change was positive for vimentin, SMA, desmin and Pan CK. Conclusion: The IHC is a valuable adjunct to light microscopy for the diagnosis of myxoid sarcomas and can provide as a judicious tool for diagnosis of this uncommon and challenging group of malignant soft tissue tumours.

A novel class of compounds designed to hit two anti-tumour targets, G-quadruplex structures and human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs) IX and XII is proposed. The induction/stabilisation of G-quadruplex structures by small molecules has emerged as an anticancer strategy, disrupting telomere maintenance and reducing oncogene expression. hCAs IX and XII are well-established anti-tumour targets, upregulated in many hypoxic tumours and contributing to metastasis. The ligands reported feature a berberine G-quadruplex stabiliser scaffold connected to a moiety inhibiting hCAs IX and XII. In vitro experiments showed that our compounds selectively stabilise G-quadruplex structures and inhibit hCAs IX and XII. The crystal structure of a telomeric G-quadruplex in complex with one of these ligands was obtained, shedding light on the ligand/target interaction mode. The most promising ligands showed significant cytotoxicity against CA IX-positive HeLa cancer cells in hypoxia, and the ability to stabilise G-quadruplexes within tumour cells.

The first key step in the detection and classification of most cancers is the microscopic assessment of thin tissue slices, the so-called "histopathology". This procedure is still nowadays, similarly to 150 years ago, performed by staining the tissue with two or more dyes able to bind to specific biological structures, followed by visual inspection by the histopathologist under the bright-field optical microscope. This approach involves long manual procedures which can be accompanied by human errors, subjectivity, and lack of reproducibility. Vibrational microscopies are capable of directly providing chemical and biomolecular information on tissues, identifying them through their fingerprint vibrational spectra without the need of staining and, thus, constitute powerful tools for label-free and objective tumour identification. The two most established techniques, spontaneous Raman microscopy and infrared absorption microscopy, suffer, respectively, from long acquisition times and low spatial resolution. These limitations can be overcome by novel and more technically demanding approaches such coherent Raman scattering and photothermal infrared microscopy. Here we present an extended overview of the major advances in the field of vibrational imaging for cancer diagnosis. We start from a detailed description of the different technologies and then present examples of their applications to tissue imaging for cancer assessment. We critically compare the presented approaches, discussing the steps required to bring these powerful technologies from bench to bedside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of non-lymphoid hematological tumors characterized by aberrant proliferation and/or decreased apoptosis of a clone of non-mature cells, resulting in the accumulation of immature blast cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. It is considered rare, as it represents 10% of neoplasms of hematopoietic origin. However, it is known that felines seroreactive for FIV and FeLV are more predisposed and reports of this type of leukemia in cats in the literature are scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the blood and bone marrow of a cat seroreactive for FeLV that presented with myelodysplastic syndrome that progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. Case: A 6-year-old male mixed-breed cat, neutered, seroreactive for FeLV, showed apathy, weight loss, and pale mucous membranes. Initial peripheral blood smear evaluation revealed hypochromic normocytic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytosis with many macropackets and giant platelets. Based on this blood picture, a long-spectrum antimicrobial therapy with amoxicillin and clavulanate [Clavulin® BD - 25 mg/kg, every 12 h] was started. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor used filgrastim (rHu G-CSF) [Fiprina® - 5 µg/kg, SC, every 48 h] and appetite stimulant mirtazapine [Mirtz® - 2 mg/cat, orally, every 48 h] were used to correct leukopenia and nutritional status, respectively. Follow-up blood smear evaluation on the 30th day showed persistence of the hematological changes noticed earlier. A bone marrow puncture was performed, and immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone [Predsim® - 4 mg/kg, orally, every 24 h] was initiated. The aspirated material showed increased cellularity for age, decreased myeloid:erythroid ratio, and 39.8% of blasts of myeloid origin. An average of 17.7 megakaryocytes were observed per field (10x magnification). Bone marrow cytological evaluation suggested acute myeloid leukemia with dysmegakaryocytopoiesis. After the diagnosis, the examinations were repeated monthly, and there was still intense leukopenia. However, in view of the stable clinical status and leukopenia with neutropenia, treatment for leukemia was not instituted and only supportive treatment was administered when necessary. Eight months after the diagnosis, clinical status had worsened, and unlike the earlier hemograms, global leukocyte count had increased with predominant lymphocytosis (95% of the total leukocytes) with atypical lymphocytes. The cat died a few days later. Discussion: Bone marrow evaluation is indicated when peripheral blood cell abnormalities are present and cannot be explained in the context of the clinical history. In the present report, the bone marrow aspirate was hypercellular (cellularity above 75%); however, intense leukopenia was observed in the peripheral blood. In myelodysplastic syndromes, it is common for the bone marrow to be normal to hypercellular, which occurs when there is a greater production of myeloid or erythroid cell lines in response to the loss, destruction, or consumption of cells. Despite this, cytopenias may be present in the peripheral blood, since the defective cells undergo apoptosis and die before being released into the circulation, characterizing inefficient hematopoiesis. The diagnosis of acute leukemia comprises a variety of hematopoietic neoplasms that are complex and unique. Each acute leukemia subtype has defining characteristics that affect the prognosis and treatment of each animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The squash smear technique was introduced into intra‐operative neurosurgical diagnosis as early as 1930. It is becoming increasingly popular in the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) lesions, and is fairly accurate even with a small sample. The current study assesses the accuracy and utility of the squash smear and frozen section (FS) techniques in intraoperative consultations. Correlations with histopathological diagnoses are presented. Aims: To compare two intra‐operative diagnostic techniques—squash smear cytology and FS examination—in the context of central nervous system tumours. Materials and methods: A total of 53 cases of CNS tumours were included in the study, and all were subjected to squash smear examination. FS examinations were conducted for 39 of these samples. The results of the two techniques were compared and correlated with histopathological diagnoses. The observed results were then analysed using SPSS software. Results: The most common primary CNS tumours were gliomas and meningiomas (28.3% each). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for squash cytology were 86.67%, 87.5%, 81.25% and 91.3%, and for FS were 91.67%, 93.10%, 91.67%, 93.10%, respectively, with a corresponding comparative P‐value of 0.56 (insignificant). Cytological diagnosis showed complete correlation with histopathological diagnosis in 39 cases (73.58%), partial correlation in eight cases (15.1%) and no correlation in six cases (11.32%). FS diagnosis showed complete correlation in 29 cases (74.35%), partial correlation in eight cases (20.5%) and no correlation in two cases (5.1%). Conclusion: Squash smear is a rapid, self‐sufficient and cost‐effective method for the intraoperative diagnosis of CNS tumours. The squash smear and FS techniques are complementary procedures that assist the pathologist in reaching a diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To ensure that your knowledge of the classification and diagnosis of brain tumours is up to date • To enable you to recognise the presenting symptoms of brain tumours, and to understand the available treatments • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) Primary malignant brain tumours are aggressive tumours with limited treatment options, and as such they remain the largest cause of cancer-related deaths in men aged under 45 years and women aged under 35 years. Benign brain tumours are frequently treated with the intention to cure them. Both malignant and benign brain tumours often cause long-term, debilitating neurological effects, and if they recur can be fatal. This article outlines the updated World Health Organization classification of adult primary brain tumours, as well as their treatment and predicted outcomes. It also identifies the role of cancer specialist nurses in supporting patients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. It improves cell survival, stimulates angiogenesis, inhibits cell apoptosis and strongly enhances vascular permeability. In this study, VEGF concentrations were assayed in blood plasma and urine of 22 dogs with neoplasms (lymphosarcoma, splenic haemangiosarcoma and mammary gland carcinoma) and in 7 healthy dogs by means of ELISA. Average blood plasma VEGF in control dogs was 42.13 ± 7.37 pg/mL, while in dogs with lymphoma - 113.35 ± 16.48 pg/mL, in dogs with haemangiosarcoma - 154.85 ± 48.46 pg/mL and in dogs with mammary gland carcinoma - 104.31 ± 12.45 pg/mL. Urine VEGF concentrations in dogs affected with lymphosarcoma were 712.42 ± 233.85 ng/g uCr, in animals with haemangiosarcoma - 223.50 ± 262.33 ng/g uCr and in those with mammary carcinoma: 1053.92 ± 311.63 ng/g uCr. In healthy controls average urine VEGF was 310.11 ± 28.11 ng/g uCr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Posterior fossa brain tumours are one of the most devastating forms of human illnesses which are more common in children. Brainstem compression, herniation and death are the risks with tumours in this critical location. Objective To evaluate our results, complications and outcome of posterior fossa tumour surgery in Benha University Hospital. Patients and methods A prospective study including 44 patients with posterior fossa tumours were performed at the Neurosurgery Department in Benha University Hospital between the period of March 2015 and October 2018. In each case, diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed radiologically and histo-pathologically. Results Out of 44 patients, 28 (63.6%) patients were males and 16 (36.4%) were females. The mean age was 17.5 + 14.2 years (ranged 2–30 years). This study showed that excellent surgical outcome was observed in 12 cases (27.3%), good in 22 cases (50%) while poor outcome was observed in 10 cases (22.7%). The best outcome is astrocytoma then ependymoma while the worst outcome is metastatic then medulloblastoma which is statistically insignificant. Conclusion The surgical treatment of posterior fossa tumours still represents a challenge for neurosurgeons. Our Benha experience shows the accepted results, complications and surgical outcome in relation to previous clinical studies. Trial registration IRB#3747. Registered 18 September 2018.

Background: Tumours and tumour like lesions of the colon and rectum have overlapping clinical presentation and may be difficult to diagnose on clinical grounds alone. Histopathological examination although helpful to arrive at correct diagnosis, at times may be difficult and may require ancillary tests such as immunohistochemistry. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study enrolled 125 cases of colorectal biopsies after histopathological confirmation of tumours and tumour like lesions. The specimens were received at the Department of Pathology, of TUTH, from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016. Results: Out of 125 cases, 32 cases were benign tumours, 36 cases were malignant tumours and 57 cases were tumour like lesions. Most common age range was 51-60 years with mean age of 38 years. Males comprised 76.74% and females 23.26% with ratio of 3:1. Juvenile polyp was the commonest lesion. Among benign tumours, tubular adenoma was the most common (19.2%), adenocarcinoma was most common malignant tumour (25.6%) and juvenile polyp was the most common tumour like lesion (27.2%). Left side was most common side (66.67%) and rectum was the most common site (48.8%). Conclusions: The commonest indications for colorectal biopsies were tumours and tumour like lesions. Juvenile polyp was the most common tumour like lesion, tubular adenoma was the most common benign tumour and adenocarcinoma was the most common malignant tumour. Histopathological examination is a gold standard for confirmation of all tumour and tumours like lesions of colon and rectum.

INTORDUCTION: The management of musculoskeletal tumours is complex and requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Preoperative embolisation can be often employed to reduce intra-operative blood loss and complication rates from surgery. We report our experience with the safety, technical success and efficacy of pre-operative embolisation in musculoskeletal tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent pre-operative embolisation of a musculoskeletal tumour followed by surgical intervention at our institution from May 2012 to January 2016 were enrolled into the study. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, embolisation techniques and type of surgery were recorded. Technical success of embolisation, amount of blood loss during surgery and transfusion requirements were estimated. RESULTS: There were five female and eight male patients who underwent pre-operative embolisation during the study period. The age ranged between 16 to 68 years, and the median age was 54. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean intra-operative blood loss was 1403ml, with a range of 150ml to 6900ml. Eight patients (62%) required intra-operative blood products of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. No major complications occurred during embolisation. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative trans-arterial embolisation is feasible and safe for a variety of large and hypervascular musculoskeletal tumours. Our small series suggests that preoperative embolisation could contribute to the reduction of the intra-operative and post-operative blood product transfusion. It should be considered as a pre-operative adjunct for major tumour resections with a high risk of bleeding. The use of the haemoglobin gap complemented the assessment of perioperative blood loss.

In canine and feline populations, the number of neoplasm cases continues to increase around the world. Attempts are being made in centres of research to identify new biomarkers that speed up and improve the quality of oncological diagnostics and therapy in human and animal tumour patients. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a promising biomarker with increasing relevance to human oncology, but as yet with less application in veterinary oncology. The expression of COX-2 increases significantly during pathological processes involving inflammation, pain or fever. It is also overexpressed in humans presenting various types of tumours and in selected types of tumours in animals, particularly in dogs. This article discusses the expression of COX-2 in canine and feline tumours, the importance of COX-2 as a biomarker with diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic and predictive relevance in oncology, and the clinical significance of inhibiting COX-2 overexpression in tumours.

There is a paucity of data on longitudinal seizure outcome of children undergoing epilepsy surgery. All children (n = 132) who underwent resective epilepsy surgery from January 1998 to December 2015 were identified. Relevant clinical, neurophysiological, imaging, surgical and seizure outcome data were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival with Cox proportional hazard modelling were performed. The mean age at surgery was 7.8 years (range 0.2–17.9). 71% were seizure-free at a mean follow up of 5.3 ± 2.7 years. Of those who were seizure-free, 65 patients were able to completely wean off anti- seizure medications successfully. Using survival analysis, the probability of Engel Class I outcome at one year after surgery was 81% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87%–75%). This dropped to 73% at two years (95% CI 81%–65%), 58% at five years (95% CI 67.8%–48%), and 47% at ten years. Proportional hazard modelling showed that the presence of moderate to severe developmental disability (HR 6.5; p = 0.02) and lack of complete resection (HR 0.4; p = 0.02) maintain association as negative predictors of seizure-free outcome. Our study demonstrates favorable long-term seizure control following pediatric epilepsy surgery and highlights important predictors of seizure outcome guiding case selection and counseling of expectations prior to surgery.

p300 acts as a transcription coactivator and an acetyltransferase that plays an important role in tumourigenesis and progression. In previous studies, it has been confirmed that p300 is an important regulator in regulating the evolution of malignant tumours and it also has extensive functions. From the perspective of non-posttranslational modification, it has been proven that p300 can participate in regulating many pathophysiological processes, such as activating oncogene transcription, promoting tumour cell growth, inducing apoptosis, regulating immune function and affecting embryo development. In recent years, p300 has been found to act as an acetyltransferase that catalyses a variety of protein modification types, such as acetylation, propanylation, butyylation, 2-hydroxyisobutyration, and lactylation. Under the catalysis of this acetyltransferase, it plays its crucial tumourigenic driving role in many malignant tumours. Therefore, the function of p300 acetyltransferase has gradually become a research hotspot. From a posttranslational modification perspective, p300 is involved in the activation of multiple transcription factors and additional processes that promote malignant biological behaviours, such as tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as tumour cell apoptosis, drug resistance, and metabolism. Inhibitors of p300 have been developed and are expected to become novel anticancer drugs for several malignancies. We review the characteristics of the p300 protein and its functional role in tumour from the posttranslational modification perspective, as well as the current status of p300-related inhibitor research, with a view to gaining a comprehensive understanding of p300.

Background: The modern concept of oligometastatic (OM) state has been initially developed to describe patients with a low burden of disease and with a potential for cure with local ablative treatments. We systematically assessed the risk of death and relapse of oligometastatic (OM) cancers compared to cancers with more diffuse metastatic spread, through a meta-analysis of published data. Methods: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting prognosis of patients with OM solid tumors. Risk of death and relapse were extracted and pooled to provide an adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval (HR 95%CI). The primary outcome of the study refers to overall mortality in OM vs. polymetastatic (PM) patients. Results. Mortality and relapse associated with OM state in patients with cancer were evaluated among 104,234 participants (n=173 studies). Progression-free survival was better in patients with OM disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62, 95% CI 0.57–0.68; P Conclusions. Patients with OM cancers have a significantly better prognosis than those with more widespread stage IV tumors. In OM cancer patients a personalized approach should be pursued.

Ameloblastoma is a rare, locally aggressive benign tumor primarily affecting the mandible, with an incidence of 0.92 cases per million person-years and a male predominance. A two-year-old male presented with a right mandibular mass. CT imaging and histopathology confirmed ameloblastoma. He underwent wide local excision, mandibulectomy, and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction under general anesthesia. Preoperative assessment revealed potential airway challenges; intubation was achieved with the backward, upward, rightward pressure (BURP) maneuver, and tracheostomy was performed to secure postoperative airway patency. The surgery was uneventful, and the patient was successfully weaned off ventilatory support by postoperative day four. This case underscores the importance of careful planning and expertise in pediatric ameloblastoma management, highlighting the effectiveness of direct laryngoscopy with BURP maneuver and prophylactic tracheostomy., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Khatavkar et al.)

Vulvo-vaginal stromal tumours are a rare and diverse group of mesenchymal neoplasms unique to hormone-responsive stroma of the vulva and vagina. These tumours are mostly benign, except for the locally aggressive deep angiomyxomas. Often these tumours pose diagnostic challenges, resembling certain malignant vulvo vaginal tumours. This case series highlights clinicopathological features of four angiomyxomas; a single angiomyofibroblastoma, and another superficial myofibroblastoma, including their clinical outcomes. All patients were in their 4th or 5th decade of life. Only 1/4 angiomyxomas was correctly diagnosed at the referring hospitals. Three out of four patients harbouring angiomyxomas achieved clinical remission post-surgery, while one patient was lost to follow-up. By immunohistochemistry, tumor cells showed variable positivity for desmin, SMA, ER, and PR, and negativity for S100P and CD34. The angiomyofibroblastoma was initially misdiagnosed as a liposarcoma, and the patient was lost to follow-up after diagnosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for SMA and ER; weakly and focally positive for desmin, and negative for AE1/AE3, CD34, and S100P. The patient with superficial myofibroblastoma is in clinical remission post-excision with an 18-month follow-up. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed CD34 positivity. Therapeutically, none of the patient received adjuvant treatment, except for a single patient with angiomyxoma, who underwent chemoradiation for a synchronous cancer cervix post-surgery. This case series provides valuable insights into the clinical heterogeneity, diagnostic intricacies, and outcomes of vulvo-vaginal stromal tumours from an oncology centre in India, further contributing to a better understanding of these rare tumours., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Introduction Urinary bladder lesions encompass a wide spectrum, from benign inflammatory conditions to malignant neoplasms, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Urothelial carcinoma predominates among bladder malignancies, exhibiting diverse clinical presentations and prognoses. Objective This study aimed to delineate the histopathological spectrum of urinary bladder lesions and correlate demographic profiles, clinical features, and cystoscopic findings with various bladder lesions. Methods This prospective descriptive observational study spanned 24 months at a tertiary care center, involving 65 cases of urinary bladder biopsies, including transurethral resection of bladder tumors, cystoscopic biopsies, and cystectomy specimens. The histopathological examination followed the WHO 2022 classification of urinary bladder tumors and the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition staging. Clinical data, including age, gender, cystoscopic findings, and presenting symptoms, were correlated with histopathological diagnoses to explore the spectrum of bladder lesions. Results Neoplastic lesions predominated, constituting 92.3% of cases, with urothelial carcinoma comprising 83.33% of these cases. Among neoplastic lesions, invasive high-grade urothelial carcinoma (36.7%) and non-invasive low-grade papillary urothelial neoplasm (20.0%) were the most frequently observed subtypes. Non-neoplastic lesions accounted for 7.7%, including various forms of cystitis. Hematuria was the predominant presenting symptom (81.5%), while cystoscopic examinations revealed that most lesions were situated in the lateral bladder wall. High-grade urothelial carcinomas were mostly associated with muscularis propria invasion. Conclusion This study underscores the critical role of histopathological examination in diagnosing and managing urinary bladder diseases and distinguishing between non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Urothelial carcinoma, prevalent among older age groups, often demonstrated muscle invasion indicative of high-grade tumors. Including the muscle layer in cystoscopic biopsies is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Conversely, though less common, non-neoplastic conditions encompass various forms of cystitis. These findings highlight the importance of precise diagnostic tools such as cystoscopy and histopathological examination for the early detection and management of bladder neoplasms. Histopathological assessment offers essential prognostic guidance, aids in precise staging and grading, and directs tailored treatment strategies., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre Institutional Ethics Sub-committee issued approval IESC/PGS/2022/187. The synopsis was approved by Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre Institutional Ethics Sub-committee, Pune, in its meeting held on September 28, 2022. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Kundlia et al.)

Ovarian leiomyomas are very rare in domestic cats and occasionally mentioned in studies reporting general pathological findings and neoplasm occurrence in non-domestic large felids. This report describes a case of ovarian leiomyoma in a 22-year-old white tiger (Panthera tiger), treated with deslorelin implants, detailing pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Gross examination revealed a markedly enlarged, firm, whitish right ovary with a multinodular appearance. On a cut surface, multiple brown-fluid-filled cysts interspersed with solid grey-to-white areas were observed. On histopathological examination, the ovary was enlarged and replaced by a densely cellular neoplasm composed of spindle cells arranged in fascicles, or occasionally in a herringbone pattern, embedded in a large stroma of collagenous connective tissue. Neoplastic cells showed mild nuclear atypia and pleomorphism and low mitotic rate. Immunohistochemistry confirmed smooth muscle origin of the neoplasm, and cells were positive for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, and caldesmon. A low rate (

At present, the incidence of tumours is increasing on a yearly basis, and tumourigenesis is usually associated with chromosomal instability and cell cycle dysregulation. Moreover, abnormalities in the chromosomal structure often lead to DNA damage, further exacerbating gene mutations and chromosomal rearrangements. However, the non‑SMC condensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG) of the structural maintenance of chromosomes family is known to exert a key role in tumour development. It has been shown that high expression of NCAPG is closely associated with tumour development and progression. Overexpression of NCAPG variously affects chromosome condensation and segregation during cell mitosis, influences cell cycle regulation, promotes tumour cell proliferation and invasion, and inhibits apoptosis. In addition, NCAPG has been associated with tumour cell stemness, tumour resistance and recurrence. The aim of the present review was to explore the underlying mechanisms of NCAPG during tumour development, with a view towards providing novel targets and strategies for tumour therapy, and through the elucidation of the mechanisms involved, to lay the foundation for future developments in health.

Why you should read this article: • To consider bone tumour as a differential diagnosis in patients with pain and/or swelling in a limb or joint • To enhance your knowledge of the most common types of benign and malignant bone tumours • To explore the distinguishing features of benign and malignant bone tumours on X-ray Bone tumours can present a diagnostic challenge for healthcare professionals working in the emergency department (ED). They are often asymptomatic and therefore not detected until an injury, such as a fall or trauma, prompts the patient to present to the ED. Nurses working in the ED are likely to encounter patients with a bone tumour in the course of their professional life, so they need to have the knowledge and skills to adequately assess, manage and refer these patients. This article provides an overview of benign and malignant primary bone tumours, describes the assessment of their signs and symptoms, and explains the distinguishing features of benign and malignant bone tumours on X-ray. It also details the case of a patient who presented to the ED with a traumatic knee injury and was diagnosed with a benign bone tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Low symptom interval for paediatric central nervous system tumours. • Symptom interval duration shorter for children zero to three years. • Incidence in Queensland, Australia is similar to wider literature. • Pilocytic astrocytoma and medulloblastoma most common histopathological diagnosis. Within Australia, there is little epidemiologic information regarding paediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumours. This study examined the epidemiology of childhood CNS tumours at Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH), the major paediatric referral centre for Queensland and northern New South Wales. We assessed the data from 221 newly diagnosed childhood CNS tumours across a five-year period from 2015 to 2019. Recurrent tumours were excluded. Data was collected on patient age, gender, histopathological diagnosis, tumour grade, anatomical site, and residential geographical location. The incidence within this period ranged from 2.65 to 3.85 cases per 100,000 children. The median symptom interval was 30 days (IQR 14–122) with presenting features similar to previous studies. The symptom interval was shorter for children zero to three years compared to children four years or older. The most frequent tumour was pilocytic astrocytoma, followed by medulloblastoma and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The posterior fossa was the most frequent anatomical location for tumours. Our study demonstrated a shorter symptom interval in comparison to previous literature. The study was able to determine the incidence and presenting features within an Australian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumour in adults. Despite much effort, gold standard therapy has not changed since the introduction of adjuvant temozolomide in 2005 and prognosis remains poor. Despite this, there has been significant improvement in the surgical technology and technique, that has allowed for increased rates of safe maximal resection of the tumour. In addition, our increased knowledge of the biology of GB has revealed more potential targets, especially in the field of immunotherapy, which has been successful in revolutionising treatment of other cancers. We review the current best practice for the treatment of GB and explore some of the more recent advances in GB management from both a surgical and molecular therapeutic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When children and young people (CYP) are diagnosed with a brain tumour, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is key to the clinical management of this condition. This can produce hundreds, and often thousands, of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs).Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 14 families (15 parents and 8 patients), and analysed using Grounded Theory. Analysis was supported by the Framework Method.Results: Although the focus of the research was whether paediatric patients and their families find viewing MRIs beneficial, all patients and parents discussed difficult times during the illness and using various strategies to cope. This article explores the identified coping strategies that involved MRIs, and the role that MRIs can play in coping. Coping strategies were classified under the aim of the strategy when used: 'Normalising'; 'Maintaining hope and a sense of the future'; 'Dealing with an uncertain future'; and 'Seeking Support'.Conclusions: Coping and finding ways to cope are clearly used by patients and their families and are something that they wish to discuss, as they were raised in conversations that were not necessarily about coping. This suggests clinicians should always allow time and space (in appointments, consultations, or impromptu conversations on the ward) for patient families to discuss ways of coping. MRIs were found to be used in various ways: to maintain or adapt normal; maintain hope and a sense of the future; deal with an uncertain future; and seek support from others. Clinicians should recognise the potential for MRIs to aid coping and if appropriate, suggest that families take copies of scans (MRIs) home. Professional coaches or counsellors may also find MRIs beneficial as a way to remind families that the child is in a more stable or 'better' place than they have been previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A higher risk of death from coronavirus disease 19 has been shown for patients with solid cancers or haematological malignancies (HM). Thanks to the accelerated development of anti–SARS-SoV-2 vaccines in less than a year since the start of the global pandemic, patients with cancer were quickly prioritised in early 2021 for vaccination, however dependent on the very unequal availability at the global level. Impaired immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in immunocompromised patients was rapidly reported as early as April 2021, although the vaccination fortunately appears to be generally effective without increasing the spacing. Worryingly, the humoral response of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is, however, considered insufficient in patients followed for HM, in particular when they are on anti-CD20 treatment. Thus, improving vaccination coverage by strengthening immune stimulation should be evaluated in patients under active treatment against cancer. Here, we discuss three different approaches: a third dose of early vaccine (repeated immune stimulation), heterologous prime-boost vaccination (multimodal immune stimulation) and a double-dose strategy (maximisation of immune response). Dedicated therapeutic trials, currently almost non-existent, seem rapidly necessary. • Risks of hospitalisation and death increase for patients with cancer and coronavirus disease 19. • Patients with cancer should be prioritised for anti–SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. • Humoral response of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines is impaired in this population. • Ways of improving vaccination coverage for dedicated therapeutic trials are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The cutaneous adnexal neoplasms represent a wide group of tumors that differentiate morphologically into one or more of the skin's adnexal structures, being that the follicular, sebaceous or apocrine/eccrine epithelium. They can affect both adults and children. OBJECTIVE: To describe the histopathologic features of cutaneous adnexal neoplasms in pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study that included all cases of cutaneous adnexal neoplasms diagnosed in children in a 20-year period. Epidemiologic, clinical and histopathological characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 84 cases were included; the female gender was the most affected (n = 51), the median of age at the moment of diagnosis was 15 years, the upper extremities were the most frequent topographic site (n = 25) and the median time of evolution of the lesions was of 12 months. The most frequent adnexal tumor was the pilomatrixoma (n = 59), being the follicular tumors the most frequent type of differentiation, followed by the apocrine/eccrine type. All of the analyzed tumors were benign and 50 cases had a positive clinical-pathologic correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The pilomatrixoma is the most frequent adnexal neoplasm in children, which means that follicular differentiation is the most prevalent type. There is satisfactory clinical-pathologic diagnostic correlation in follicular tumors, but not in the rest of the categories, meaning that histopathology remains the gold standard for the identification of these lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The modern concept of oligometastatic (OM) state has been initially developed to describe patients with a low burden of disease and with a potential for cure with local ablative treatments. We systematically assessed the risk of death and relapse of oligometastatic (OM) cancers compared to cancers with more diffuse metastatic spread, through a meta-analysis of published data. Methods: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting prognosis of patients with OM solid tumors. Risk of death and relapse were extracted and pooled to provide an adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval (HR 95%CI). The primary outcome of the study refers to overall mortality in OM vs. polymetastatic (PM) patients. Results. Mortality and relapse associated with OM state in patients with cancer were evaluated among 104,234 participants (n=173 studies). Progression-free survival was better in patients with OM disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62, 95% CI 0.57–0.68; P Conclusions. Patients with oligometastases have a significantly better prognosis than those with more widespread stage IV tumors. In OM cancer patients a personalized approach should be pursued.