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Aim: In the present study, we wanted to check whether TCS OX2 29 (TCS), a potent selective antagonist of OX2 receptors, would have positive effects in an animal model of detrusor overactivity co‐existed with the depression‐like state in Wistar male rats. Methods: The forced swim test with the measurement of spontaneous locomotor activity, conscious cystometry, determination of c‐Fos expression in central micturition areas, and a set of biochemical analyses (with the use of urine, hippocampus, bladder urothelium, and detrusor muscle of tested animals) were carried out. Results: The outcomes showed that a 7‐day administration of TCS (3 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) normalizes the cystometric parameters corresponding to overactivity of the detrusor and reverses the pro‐depressive response. Furthermore, the antagonism of OX2 receptors restored the abnormal levels of overactive bladder markers (i.e., ATP, CGRP, OCT3, TRPV1, ROCK1, and VAChT), diminished neuronal overactivity in central micturition areas (i.e., pontine micturition center, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, and medial preoptic area) as well as restored the altered hippocampal levels of CRF, cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, and TNF‐α), and growth factors (BDNF and NGF) that reflected biochemical disturbances detected in depressed people. Conclusions: It seems that our findings open new perspectives regarding the implication of the orexin system in the functioning of the urinary bladder and in the pathophysiology of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recurrence in patients with ovarian cancer is common and causes difficulties for oncologists, radiologists and gynecologists. The mutation rate of the BRCA gene in high-grade serous ovarian cancer is greater than 21%. Patients suspected of having local recurrence and intraperitoneal spread are examined via magnetic resonance, owing to its excellent soft tissue resolution. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhancement parameters in patients with peritoneal HGSOC recurrence with or without BRCA mutations. In this study, we revealed statistically significant differences in the DWI and DCE MRI parameters between patients with BRCA mutations and BRCA wild type. Additionally, we showed the difference between the parameters on MRI and the size of the peritoneal metastases. Adding DCE perfusion to the MRI protocol for detecting ovarian cancer recurrence in patients with BRCA mutations could be a valuable tool. Background: The aim of this study was to determine the differences in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) parameters between patients with peritoneal high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) recurrence with BRCA mutations (BRCAmut) or BRCA wild type (BRCAwt). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the abdominal and pelvic magnetic resonance (MR) images of 43 patients suspected of having recurrent HGSOC, of whom 18 had BRCA1/2 gene mutations. Patients underwent MRI examination via a 1.5 T MRI scanner, and the analyzed parameters were as follows: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), time to peak (TTP) and perfusion maximum enhancement (Perf. Max. En.). Results: The mean ADC in patients with BRCAwt was lower than that in patients with BRCAmut: 788.7 (SD: 139.5) vs. 977.3 (SD: 103), p-value = 0.00002. The average TTP value for patients with BRCAwt was greater than that for patients with mutations: 256.3 (SD: 50) vs. 160.6 (SD: 35.5), p-value < 0.01. The Perf. Max. En. value was lower in the BRCAwt group: 148.6 (SD: 12.3) vs. 233.6 (SD: 29.2), p-value < 0.01. Conclusion: Our study revealed a statistically significant correlation between DWI and DCE parameters in examinations of peritoneal metastasis in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations. Adding DCE perfusion to the MRI protocol for ovarian cancer recurrence in patients with BRCAmut may be a valuable tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Initial evaluation of ovarian lesions is essential in proper preoperative assessment. Correct preoperative differentiation between mucinous ovarian carcinomas and metastatic ovarian tumors enables precise treatment planning and the individualization of therapy. The correlation of selected MRI parameters enables precise differential diagnosis. Introduction: Analysis of selected MRI parameters in initial MRI for the characterization of ovarian masses enables differentiation between mucinous ovarian carcinoma and metastatic ovarian tumors. Material and Methods: A prospective analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI of patients with suspected ovarian masses diagnosed in ultrasound and CT examination. Morphological criteria, such as the size of lesion, bilateral location, presence of "mille-feuille sign", so-called Seidman criteria, as well as the diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhancement of each lesion, were evaluated. Patients were allocated into two groups; the first group contained patients with mucinous ovarian cancer, and the second group contained patients with metastatic ovarian tumors. Results: A total of 35 patients were enrolled into the study. Median age was 49 in the first group and 59 in the second group of patients (p = 0.04). In the first group, all patients (100%) had unilateral lesions, and in the second group, 94% had bilateral tumors (p < 0.000001). In the first group, a tumor size equal or greater than 10 cm was present in 80% of patients, and the same was true for 21% of patients in the second group. The mille-feuille sign was present in 30% of patients from the first group and in 64% of patients from the second group. In the first group of patients, TTP was 410 and Perf.Max Enhancement was 141; in the second group, they were, respectively, 154 and 167 (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.5). Median ADC values in the first group were significantly higher in the first group than in the second group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Significant differences in TTP and ADC values as well as in Seidman criteria enable reliable differentiation between the analyzed groups of tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this comprehensive review supported by clinical examples, the authors explore the topic of cervical cancer in pregnancy, with emphasis on potential pre-cancer progression, the possibility of coexisting preinvasive and invasive disease, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This manuscript addresses the challenges of managing cervical cancer in pregnant women with a pregnancy-preserving approach, including the importance of screening, the timing of surgery, and the impact of pregnancy on the course of the disease. The first case study illustrates the potential for a benign cervical lesion to transform into a malignant one during pregnancy and the possible coexistence of preinvasive lesions together with early-stage cervical cancer. It also questions the rationale behind the non-treatment of pregnant patients initially diagnosed with CIN 2/3 during pregnancy. The second presented clinical example shows the histologically confirmed response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, resulting in a radiologically diagnosed FIGO stage IIA1 being downgraded to adenocarcinoma in situ in the histology report after surgery performed six weeks postpartum. The treatment of cervical cancer, which is becoming increasingly prevalent among pregnant women, and the necessity for an individualized diagnostic and therapeutic approach represent significant challenges for contemporary medicine. Discrepancies in therapeutic options proposed among centers within the same region lead to the conclusion that there is a need for centralization and unification of evidence-based management in referral centers with both high-level oncological and perinatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizing pneumonia (OP) is defined histologically by the presence of granulation tissue within alveolar ducts and alveoli. Recently, several lymphoid neoplasms have been implicated as a risk factor for OP, however, OP as a primary manifestation of malignancy transformation has not been widely reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of a patient with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who presented with weight loss, low-grade fever, lymphadenopathy, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates revealed in imaging studies. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy showed CLL cells within the pulmonary vessels and areas of OP in the lung parenchyma. Subsequent lymph nodes biopsies were consistent with CLL transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of OP associated with CLL transformation into DLBCL. This case suggests that OP could represent a form of immunological reaction to ongoing Richter transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare complication of the retrosigmoid approach. To address the lack of literature, we performed a retrospective analysis. The thromboses were divided into those demonstrating radiological (rCVST) and clinical (cCVST) features, the latter diagnosed during hospitalization. We identified the former by a lack of contrast in the sigmoid (SS) or transverse sinuses (TS), and evaluated the closest distance from the craniotomy to quantify sinus exposure. We included 130 patients (males: 52, females: 78) with a median age of 46.0. They had rCVST in 46.9% of cases, most often in the TS (65.6%), and cCVST in 3.1% of cases. Distances to the sinuses were not different regarding the presence of cCVST (p = 0.32 and p = 0.72). The distance to the SS was not different regarding rCVST (p = 0.13). However, lower exposure of the TS correlated with a lower incidence of rCVST (p = 0.009). When surgery was performed on the side of the dominant sinuses, rCVSTs were more frequent (p = 0.042). None of the other examined factors were related to rCVST or cCVST. Surgery on the side of the dominant sinus, and the exposing of them, seems to be related with rCVST. Further prospective studies are needed to identify the risk factors and determine the best management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the value of imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in the diagnosis of a tumor-bowel fistula as a rare form of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) relapse. We also performed an initial assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment of this form of relapse. Methods. The study group consisted of eight patients with suspected platinum-sensitive recurrence in the form of a tumor/bowel fistula. All patients finished their first line of chemotherapy and subsequently showed complete remission for 6 months or more. To qualify patients for further treatment, CT and MRI were performed, which suggested the presence of a fistula between the recurrent tumor and intestine. DESKTOP study criteria were used to qualify patients for secondary cytoreduction. Second-line chemotherapy was given after secondary debulking. Results. In all patients, fistulas formed between the tumor and large bowel. On CT, the fistulas were indirectly visible. In all cases, the fistula was visible on MR images, which showed hypointensity on the T2 and T1 post-contrast sequences but did not show restricted diffusion on the diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence. Patients who were qualified for the study underwent secondary debulking with bowel resection. In all eight cases, the fistula between the tumor and surrounding organs was confirmed. During surgery, seven intestinal anastomoses and one colostomy were performed. No residual macroscopic tumor remained in seven cases (resection R0-87.5%). The progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.4–22.6 months (median 13.4). In the group with cytoreduction R0, the median PFS was 15.5 months (12–22). Conclusion. In patients with suspected EOC recurrence with clinically suspected fistula, CT scan is not sufficient. In CT, the presence of a fistula is suspected based on indirect symptoms. MRI, as a method with much greater tissue resolution, confirms the diagnosis. In addition, MRI can identify the point of the tumor/bowel junction. This is especially true with a large infiltration covering several intestinal parts. Bowel resection with simultaneous anastomosis is a good and safe solution for these patients. However, appropriate qualification for the procedure is necessary, which will allow for surgery without residual macroscopic disease (R0 surgery). Due to the small number of cases, our results cannot be generalized. We treat them as a hypothesis that can be verified in a larger study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Angiogenesis is a process that is indispensable in cancer progression. A complex network of tumor and microenvironment stimuli regulate angiogenesis. VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-8 and TNF belong to the angiogenic factors that are key points in vessel formation. The aim of the study was to assess h-VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-8 and TNF secretion by human ovarian cell lines. Material and methods: OVA 2, OVA 4, OVA 9, OVA 11 and OVA 14 cell lines were established in our laboratory. The cells derived from primary and metastatic tumors of epithelial and non-epithelial origin. SK-OV-3, MDAH 2774, CAOV-1 and OVP-10 were the cell lines obtained from other sources. The concentration of VEGF, TGF-β1 and IL-8 was determined in culture supernatants by using the ELISA tests. Results: OVA 11 secreted all the evaluated cytokines. MDAH 2774 was the source of h-VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-8. SK-OV-3 secreted h-VEGF and IL-8. OVA 4 secreted TGF-β1 and TNF. TNF was the only studied cytokine secreted by CAOV-1, OVA 2 and OVA 9 cell lines. OVA 14 did not secret any of the cytokines. Conclusions: The investigated cell lines present heterogeneous profile of angiogenic cytokine secretion and seem to be an interesting set of models for the study of angiogenic signaling, or target therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prior studies have suggested that F-FDG PET/CT can help characterize adrenal lesions and differentiate adrenal metastases from benign lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the value of F-FDG PET/CT for the differentiation of malignant from benign adrenal lesions. Methods: This retrospective study included 85 patients (47 men and 38 women, age 63.8 ± 10.8 years) who had undergone F-FDG PET/CT (60 min after injection 300 - 370 MBq F-FDG; Biograph 64 scanner) for evaluation of 102 nonsecreting adrenal masses. For semiquantitative analysis, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), adrenal to liver (T/L) SUVmax ratio, mean CT attenuation value and tumour diameter were measured in all lesions and compared with the pathological findings. Results: Malignant adrenal tumours (68 % of evaluated tumours) had a significantly higher mean SUVmax (13.0 ± 7.1 vs. 3.7 ± 3.0), a higher T/L SUVmax ratio (4.2 ± 2.6 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9), a higher CT attenuation value (31.9 ± 16. 7 HU vs. 0.2 ± 25.8 HU) and a greater diameter (43.6 ± 23.7 mm vs. 25.6 ± 13.3 mm) than benign lesions. The false-positive findings were tuberculosis and benign phaeochromocytoma. Based on ROC analysis, a T/L SUVmax ratio >1.53, an adrenal SUVmax >5.2, an attenuation value >24 HU and a tumour diameter >30 mm were chosen as the optimal cut-off values for differentiating malignant from benign tumours. The areas under the ROC curves for the selected cut-off values were 0.96, 0.96, 0.88 and 0.77, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model revealed that the T/L SUVmax ratio was an independent prognostic factor for malignancy ( p < 0.001); a CT attenuation value of >25 HU and a tumour diameter >30 mm had no additional individual importance in the diagnosis of malignancy. Conclusion: Using a T/L SUVmax ratio >1.53 and an adrenal SUVmax >5.2 in F-FDG PET/CT led to high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value for characterizing adrenal tumours. The diagnostic accuracies of the two parameters were comparable, but T/L SUVmax ratio was an independent predictor of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with sebaceous carcinoma, rarely located in the parotid gland. The patient was treated by way of surgery and subsequentradiotherapy. Diagnostic problems and methods of treatment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In the present study, we wanted to check whether TCS OX2 29 (TCS), a potent selective antagonist of OX2 receptors, would have positive effects in an animal model of detrusor overactivity co-existed with the depression-like state in Wistar male rats., Methods: The forced swim test with the measurement of spontaneous locomotor activity, conscious cystometry, determination of c-Fos expression in central micturition areas, and a set of biochemical analyses (with the use of urine, hippocampus, bladder urothelium, and detrusor muscle of tested animals) were carried out., Results: The outcomes showed that a 7-day administration of TCS (3 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) normalizes the cystometric parameters corresponding to overactivity of the detrusor and reverses the pro-depressive response. Furthermore, the antagonism of OX 2 receptors restored the abnormal levels of overactive bladder markers (i.e., ATP, CGRP, OCT3, TRPV1, ROCK1, and VAChT), diminished neuronal overactivity in central micturition areas (i.e., pontine micturition center, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, and medial preoptic area) as well as restored the altered hippocampal levels of CRF, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), and growth factors (BDNF and NGF) that reflected biochemical disturbances detected in depressed people., Conclusions: It seems that our findings open new perspectives regarding the implication of the orexin system in the functioning of the urinary bladder and in the pathophysiology of depression., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Complete tumor cytoreduction seems to be beneficial for platinum-sensitive women with recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). Selection of patients who might have a chance for complete debulking constitutes a real challenge. Several predictive models defining a chance for complete cytoreduction and help in patient selection for surgery have been developed., Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of selected models in one clinical center and the impact of complete resection on treatment outcome., Material and Methods: A total of 17 patients with ROC, diagnosed at least 6 months after first-line chemotherapy were recruited for the study. The inclusion criteria were based on the AGO-score (DESKTOP I trial). The group were retrospectively analyzed based on the predictive model International Collaborative Cohort Score (Tian- score). The end point was the percentage of complete cytoreduction. Also, postoperative complications and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated., Results: Out of 17 patients who meet the criteria of the the AGO-score, complete debulking was achieved in 13 (76.47%) cases. Comparing the results of the Tian-score, 12 (100%) patients who were considered to be at 'low-risk of surgical failure' were debulked optimally In addition, complete debulking was achieved in 1 patient from the high-risk group. In all optimally operated patients, the number of changes detected during pre-operative imaging was ≤ 3. In 11 patients after complete cytoreduction there was another relapse. The median of PFS was 16 months., Conclusions: The applied predictive models have proven to be effective in selecting patients who will benefit from surgical treatment of ROC.

Objectives: The aim of the study was the assessment of perioperative complications in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent splenectomy to achieve optimal debulking., Material and Methods: We analyzed eight debulking procedures with splenectomy and the postoperative period in ovarian cancer patients, FIGO stage III/B-IV. Preoperative diagnostics included multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) or diffusion-weighted echo-planar magnetic resonance (MR-DWI). The following factors were analyzed: size of the removed tumor, size of remains left, blood loss, packed red blood cell transfusion, quantity and reason for reoperations, pancreatic amylase concentrations in the drainage fluid, wound infection, fever over 38 degrees C, and length of hospitalization., Results: Complete debulking was achieved in 8 patients, including 5 cases with no macroscopic residual lesions and 3 patients with lesion diameter of < 10 mm. Median operative time was 175 min. There was one case of reoperation caused by perforation of the stomach wall (histologically confirmed stress ulcer). Median blood loss was 1050 ml and the rate of packed red blood cells transfusion was 75%. Elevated amylase levels in the drainage fluid was noted in 6 patients. Amylase concentration was greater than 5 times the normal serum value during the first postoperative day. After postoperative day 3 it was lower than normal serum range. There were no cases of postoperative fever wound infections, or deaths. The length of hospitalization was 6 days., Conclusions: Splenectomy as a part of cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer may contribute to achieving complete debulking and bring benefits, especially in cases with no macroscopic residual disease. The risk of intra- and postoperative complications related to splenectomy seems to be acceptable.