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BackgroundEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) comprises 90% of all esophageal cancer cases globally and is the most common histology in low-resource settings. Eastern Africa has a disproportionately high incidence of ESCC.MethodsWe describe the genomic profiles of 61 ESCC cases from Tanzania and compare them to profiles from an existing cohort of ESCC cases from Malawi. We also provide a comparison to ESCC tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).ResultsWe observed substantial transcriptional overlap with other squamous histologies via comparison with TCGA PanCan dataset. DNA analysis revealed known mutational patterns, both genome-wide as well as in genes known to be commonly mutated in ESCC. TP53 mutations were the most common somatic mutation in tumors from both Tanzania and Malawi but were detected at lower frequencies than previously reported in ESCC cases from other settings. In a combined analysis, two unique transcriptional clusters were identified: a proliferative/epithelial cluster and an invasive/migrative/mesenchymal cluster. Mutational signature analysis of the Tanzanian cohort revealed common signatures associated with aging and cytidine deaminase activity (APOBEC) and an absence of signature 29, which was previously reported in the Malawi cohort.ConclusionsThis study defines the molecular characteristics of ESCC in Tanzania, and enriches the Eastern African dataset, with findings of overall similarities but also some heterogeneity across two unique sites.ImpactDespite a high burden of ESCC in Eastern Africa, investigations into the genomics in this region are nascent. This represents the largest comprehensive genomic analysis ESCC from sub-Saharan Africa to date.

The incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is disproportionately high in the eastern corridor of Africa and parts of Asia. Emerging research has identified a potential association between poor oral health and ESCC. One possible link between poor oral health and ESCC involves the alteration of the microbiome. We performed an integrated analysis of four independent sequencing efforts of ESCC tumors from patients from high- and low-incidence regions of the world. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) of ESCC tumors from 61 patients in Tanzania, we identified a community of bacteria, including members of the genera Fusobacterium, Selenomonas, Prevotella, Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, Veillonella and Campylobacter, present at high abundance in ESCC tumors. We then characterized the microbiome of 238 ESCC tumor specimens collected in two additional independent sequencing efforts consisting of patients from other high-ESCC incidence regions (Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Iran, China). This analysis revealed similar ESCC-associated bacterial communities in these cancers. Because these genera are traditionally considered members of the oral microbiota, we next explored whether there was a relationship between the synchronous saliva and tumor microbiomes of ESCC patients in Tanzania. Comparative analyses revealed that paired saliva and tumor microbiomes were significantly similar with a specific enrichment of Fusobacterium and Prevotella in the tumor microbiome. Together, these data indicate that cancer-associated oral bacteria are associated with ESCC tumors at the time of diagnosis and support a model in which oral bacteria are present in high abundance in both saliva and tumors of some ESCC patients.

Background This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of seroma among post mastectomy breast cancer women and its impact on adjuvant therapy timing. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study among women who received mastectomy plus axillary dissection for invasive breast cancer at Muhimbili National Hospital between April 2021 and May 2022. Patients’ clinical demography, tumor characteristics, drainage features, and the development of seroma was documented. Use of adjuvant therapy was collected at a follow visit. Prediction of seroma development and impact of adjuvant therapy initiations was determined by chi -square test with significance set at p value of <5%. Results We recruited 106 patients of which seroma was present in 49% with age >50 years and drainage of >150cc in first 24hours being significant predictors (p-0.03 and 0.002 respectively). Long-term follow up was done to 86 (81%) of which 74 (87%) received adjuvant chemotherapy with delay being significant among those with seroma formation, p-value 0.018 Conclusions Seroma formation is common among women post mastectomy with no modifiable factor. Delay in adjuvant therapy is significant in the setting of a seroma formation. More studies are needed to reduce seroma occurrence as well as mitigate its impact on adjuvant therapy initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecancer Choosing Wisely conference was held for the second time in Africa in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from the 9th to 10th of February 2023. ecancer in collaboration with the Tanzania Oncology Society organised this conference which was attended by more than 150 local and international delegates. During the 2 days of the conference, more than ten speakers from different specialties in the field of oncology gave insights into Choosing Wisely in oncology. Topics from all fields linked to cancer care such as radiation oncology, medical oncology, prevention, oncological surgery, palliative care, patient advocacy, pathology, radiology, clinical trials, research and training were presented to share and bring awareness to professionals in oncology, on how to choose wisely in their approach to their daily practice, based on the available resources, while trying to offer the maximum benefit to the patient. This report, therefore, shares the highlights of this conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]