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Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer is a frequent neoplasm in the general population in both males and females. If oncological screening allows for the early diagnosis of the neoplasm, when present, the management of tumors that are not detected at an early stage becomes more complex. In recent years, in the most cutting-edge hospitals, the establishment of dedicated therapeutic paths that include a team of professionals from different specialties (oncologist, surgeon, radiotherapist, pathologist, radiologist, and, frequently, psychologist and data manager) has become increasingly common. This work shows how, in a province of Northern Italy, the presence of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the management of patients with colorectal cancer is able to best deal with the patient's recurrences and take care of the person throughout the disease's complexity. In the era of personalized medicine, personalization involves not only drugs but also the management of the person and not just the tumor. This study aimed to assess whether multidisciplinary team (MDT) management improves outcomes in patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to non-MDT care. This study included 460 CRC patients diagnosed from 2017 to 2018 in a northern Italian province, of whom 300 (65%) were managed by MDT. MDT patients were younger, more frequently had rectal cancers, were diagnosed at earlier stages, and were more likely to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly better in the MDT group. The recurrence rate was 8.5%, with no significant differences between MDT and non-MDT patients, although MDT patients exhibited lower recurrence rates for early-stage tumors. A multivariable analysis showed that DFS and OS were adversely affected by older age, advanced stage, and lack of MDT management. Kaplan–Meier estimates demonstrated a 3-year DFS of 78% in the MDT group versus 65% in the non-MDT group, as well as an OS of 83% versus 69%, respectively. The MDT approach was associated with improved treatment adherence and better management of recurrences. While limited by a small sample size, this population-based study highlights the beneficial impact of MDT care on CRC outcomes. Further research with extended follow-up is warranted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myogenic temporomandibular disorders (M‐TMD) commonly involve occlusal splint (OS) therapy and musculoskeletal physiotherapy (MPT). Objectives: To compare the effects of combining OS with MPT and education (EG) against OS and education (CG), in chronic M‐TMD patients. Methods: In this double‐blind randomised controlled trial, 62 participants were assigned to either EG or CG. The primary outcomes, pain levels at rest (VAS rest), maximum oral opening (VAS open) and during chewing (VAS chew), were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in cm. The secondary outcome was the range of motion (ROM) for maximum oral opening. Both interventions lasted 3 months, with outcomes assessed at baseline (T0), post‐treatment (T1) and 3 months post‐treatment (T2). Results: Intention‐to‐treat analysis revealed significant improvements favouring EG (VAS rest = −1.50 cm [CI95%: −2.67, −0.32], p =.04; VAS open = −2.00 cm [CI95%: −3.23, −0.75], p <.01; VAS chew = −1.71 cm [CI95%: −2.90, −0.52], p =.01; ROM = 4.61 [CI95%: 0.93, 8.30], p =.04). Additionally, VAS measures were influenced by follow‐up times (VAS rest = −0.73 cm [CI95%: −1.30, −0.17], p = 0.03; VAS open = −0.97 cm [CI95%: −1.57, −0.37], p <.01; VAS chew = −1.15 cm [CI95%: −1.73, −0.58], p <.01). At T1, EG demonstrated higher number of responders compared to CG for VAS open (χ2(1) = 4.39, p =.04) and VAS chew (χ2(1) = 11.58, p <.01). Conclusion: Adding MPT to education and OS yields better outcomes in terms of pain reduction and ROM improvement, in chronic M‐TMD. Trial Registration Number: NCT03726060. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer remains a prevalent neoplasm affecting both genders. Despite advancements in screening techniques facilitating early detection, effective patient management remains paramount. This study investigates the impact of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach on patient outcomes. Results reveal a significant improvement in survival rates among MDT-followed patients compared to those lacking MDT oversight. Notably, no-MDT patients exhibited a twofold increase in mortality risk from both colon and rectal cancers. Furthermore, advanced age (>70 years) and advanced-stage disease (III and IV) emerged as pivotal risk factors. Consequently, prioritizing MDT intervention for these high-risk cohorts is imperative to optimize therapeutic strategies. Colorectal cancer emerged as the third most prevalent malignancy worldwide, affecting nearly 2 million individuals in the year 2020. This study elucidates the pivotal role of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in influencing the prognosis, as measured by relative survival rates, depending upon the stage and age. Cases recorded in an Italian Cancer Registry between 2017 and 2018 were included. Relative survival was reported at 1 and 3 years after diagnosis comparing MDT vs. no-MDT approaches. During the study period, 605 CRCs were recorded while 361 (59.7%) were taken care of by an MDT. Compared to no-MDT, MDT patients were younger with earlier stages and received more surgery. One year after diagnosis, survival was 78.7% (90% in MDT vs. 62% in no-MDT); stratifying by stage, in the MDT group there was no survival advantage for stage I (97.2% vs. 89.9%) and II (96.8% vs. 89.4%), but an advantage was observed for stage III (86.4% vs. 56.9%) and stage IV (63.7% vs. 27.4%). Similar values were observed at 3 years where a marked advantage was observed for stages III (69.9% vs. 35.1%) and IV (29.2% vs. 5.1%). The univariable analysis confirmed an excess risk in the no-MDT group (HR 2.6; 95% CI 2.0–3.3), also confirmed in the multivariable regression analysis (HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5–2.5). Despite the increase in the number of MDT patients in 2018 (from 50% to 69%), this does not correspond to an improvement in outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on new cancer diagnoses and the treatment of cancer patients. This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected prostate cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment in Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy. Using data from the Cancer Registry from 2018 to 2021, we found a significant drop in new prostate cancer diagnoses during 2020, the height of the pandemic. The number of new cases decreased by 31% in 2020, with a slight recovery of 5% in 2021. We also observed a shift towards more advanced stages and aggressive forms of prostate cancer, with fewer early-stage diagnoses and more cases of metastatic cancer. Despite these changes, treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy have remained constant. The pandemic disrupted an increasing trend of prostate cancer diagnoses seen before 2019, highlighting the need for ongoing diagnostic services and healthcare delivery, even during global health emergencies. Our study highlights the significant impact of COVID-19 on prostate cancer management and the importance of healthcare system resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays in cancer diagnoses and reductions in treatments. The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on prostate cancer by evaluating whether there has been a shift towards more aggressive (Gleason) and more advanced tumors (stage IV) and a decline in treatments. The study was conducted on 1123 cases of prostate cancer incident in the Province of Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy, in the period of 2018–2021. In 2020, there was a decline in new diagnoses of prostate cancer (−31%), followed by a slight recovery in 2021 (+5%). While Gleason 7 and 8–10 values remained constant, a significant decrease was recorded in stage I (38.7%, 41.6%, 35.5%, and 27.7%) and an increase in stage IV (13.1%, 13%, 15.4%, and 20%) cases in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. However, there was no impact on surgical treatment (which remained constant at around 35%) and radiotherapy (around 39%). Our findings underline the profound impact of COVID-19 on prostate cancer management, highlighting the importance of healthcare resilience in the face of unprecedented disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but lethal cancer strongly associated with asbestos exposure. This retrospective study examines mesothelioma trends and past asbestos exposure assessment in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. Methods: Between 1996 and 2023, 3,513 cases of MM were recorded by the Regional Operating Center, predominantly in males (72%) and older than 65 years (79%). MM diagnosis was defined as certain, probable, and possible. Information concerning asbestos exposure was collected through an analytical questionnaire administered to patients or proxies and classified as occupational and non-occupational. Results: Occupational exposure accounted for 82% of cases, significantly increasing from 71% to 88% in the most recent period. A more accurate definition of occupational exposure indicates that specific exposure has gone from 49% in the first period to 62% and 58% in the last two periods; probable exposure decreased from 21% to 16%, while possible exposure decreased from 16% to 13%. Familiar exposure remained relatively constant at around 8%, environmental exposure slightly decreased from 4% to 2%, while non-occupational exposure remained stable at 2%. Among patients with exclusively occupational exposure (1,826 cases), 87% were male and aged between 65 and 75 years (36%) and 75+ (41%). Exposure rates for the province of residence see the province of Reggio Emilia with the highest occupational exposure rate (2.5 x 100,000 residents), followed by Ravenna (2.3 x 100,000 residents) and Parma and Piacenza, which have similar exposure rates with 2.2 x 100,000 residents. Occupational sectors such as construction, railway maintenance, and metalworking are identified as high-risk industries. Despite efforts to mitigate exposure, non-occupational and environmental exposures persist. The study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and exposure monitoring to guide effective interventions and legal recognition of MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach on outcomes with endometrial cancer (EC) patients, utilizing 2013–2020 data from the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry. Recurrence rate, treatments, and outcome indicators were compared between the MDT (319 cases) and non-MDT (324 cases) groups. Among 643 cases, 52.4% were over 65 years old, 98% had microscopic confirmation, and 73% were in stage I. Surgery was performed in 89%, with 41% receiving adjuvant therapies. Recurrence rates (10%) were similar between the two groups, but MDT patients who were older and predominantly in stage I exhibited 79% recurrence within one year (21% in the non-MDT group). Disease-free survival (DFS) showed no significant difference [HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7–1.6], while differences in overall survival (OS) were notable [HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0–2.4]. The 5-year OS rates were 87% and 79% in the MDT and non-MDT groups. Comparing the 2013–2015 to 2016–2020 study periods, a shift towards caring for older women, more advanced-stage patients, and those residing outside the metropolitan area, along with a greater number of relapsed cases (from 16% to 76%), were accounted for. These findings underscore the impact of an MDT on EC outcomes, highlighting the evolving patient demographics over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lung cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases in both morphology and molecular subtypes. There are two main histological categories of lung cancer: small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although overall lung cancer mortality is declining in Italy, little is known about mortality trends by cancer subtype at the population level because death certificates do not record subtype information. This observational epidemiological study, using data from the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry, evaluated the incidence, mortality, and survival trends of lung cancer according to the specific subtype. This study confirms the decline in the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in males, mainly squamous cell forms, inversely associated with cigarette smoking and the introduction of new drugs since 2013. This study assessed the incidence, mortality, and survival of lung cancer subtypes of NSCSLC (non-small-cell lung cancer), SCLC (small-cell lung cancer), and other morphologies. It is an observational epidemiological study using 7197 cases from the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry recorded between 2001 and 2020 in males and females. The incidence of NSCLC in 5104 males indicates a significant 3% annual increase until 2013 and then a decline of −3.2% that is not statistically significant; until 2014, mortality increased significantly (3.2%), but it then decreased non-significantly (−12.1%), especially squamous cell cancer. In 2093 females, the incidence and mortality trends continued to rise significantly through 2012, and then they began to slightly decline (not statistically significant). The two-year relative survival of NSCLC increased from 32% to 38% in males and from 42% to 56% in females. SCLC in males decreased significantly both in incidence and mortality, while in women, it showed a slight increase (significantly for incidence but not for mortality). This study is important because it analyzes the decrease in lung cancer in males and the increase in females in relation to the different histotypes. Our study's findings confirmed a decline in male incidence and death beginning in 2013. We were unable to determine if the drop in cigarette smoking and the introduction of new drugs such as EGFR in first-line therapy were responsible for the lower incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors in the world due to its clinical, biological, and molecular complexity. It is considered a "silent killer" due to the lack of specific symptoms that delay diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach can improve the prognosis both in terms of recurrences and death, especially in the first 24 months after diagnosis, by changing the type of treatment, reducing recurrences and mortality, or increasing survival. Ovarian cancer represents one of the most aggressive female cancers in the world, remaining a tumor with high lethality. This study aims to present how a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach can improve the prognosis in terms of recurrence and death of patients. In total, 448 ovarian cancer cases registered in an Italian Cancer Registry between 2012 and 2020 were included. Information on age, morphology, stage, and treatment was collected. Recurrence and death rates were reported 1 and 2 years after diagnosis, comparing MDT vs. non-MDT approaches. Ninety-three percent had microscopic confirmation, and most showed cystic-mucinous morphology. In total, 50% were older than 65 years old. The distribution by stage was 17.6%, 4%, 44.9%, and 32.6% for stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The women followed by the MDT were 24.1%. Disease-free survival 1-year post-diagnosis, recurrences, recurrences-deaths, and deaths were 67.5%, 14.5%, 8.4%, and 9.6%, respectively, better than the non-MDT group (46.2%, 13.2%, 20.8 %, and 19.8%, respectively) (p < 0.01). The same positive results were confirmed two years after diagnosis, particularly for stages III and IV. Albeit small numbers, the study confirms a better prognosis for women managed by MDT with fewer recurrences and deaths, especially within the first 24 months of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While cervical cancer is relatively uncommon in Western countries, it continues to pose significant concern due to its high mortality rates. Intraepithelial forms [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and CIN 3] are more prevalent in regions with comprehensive screening coverage, particularly in areas that use the Papanicolaou test and HPV detection. The present study aims to characterize the trends of precancerous lesions and infiltrating tumors over a decade, assessing survival rates by age, stage and country of origin. A total of 1,752 CIN 2/3 lesions and 152 infiltrating cancers were recorded in the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry between January 2008 and December 2018. A clear increase in CIN 2/3 lesions was observed over the years while infiltrating tumors remained rare and the numbers of cancer cases declined. The 5-year survival rate was found to be 67%, with survival closely correlated with stage (88, 82, 74 and 12% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively) and age (84, 80 and 37% for ages <40, 40-65 and 65+, respectively). Multivariable analysis confirmed an excess risk for advanced stages III (HR 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.3) and IV (HR 19.6; 95% CI, 8.2-46.7), as well as in women 65+ (HR 2.8; 95% CI, 1.0-8.1). Analysis of national origins revealed comparable stage distribution for Italians and non-Italians at stage I (41 vs. 47%), while a notable disparity emerged for stage IV (28 vs. 6%). This difference could be attributed to the average age of Italians compared to non-Italians (59 vs. 49 years). Overall, the present study underscored the importance of continued surveillance and intervention strategies targeting advanced-stage disease, particularly in older populations and among non-Italian patients. Efforts to enhance screening coverage and access to timely interventions remain critical in reducing the burden of cervical cancer and improving survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]