Apalutamide is an androgen receptor antagonist used to treat patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) or metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). One of the most frequent adverse events associated with apalutamide is skin rash, particularly in Japanese patients. However, preventive skin care may reduce the frequency of apalutamide-induced skin rashes.

We sought to compare the cumulative incidence of skin rashes in patients on apalutamide therapy with and without preventive skin care.

This retrospective, real-world study included 27 patients in the control group (those who were not administered skin care) and 38 patients in the skin care group (those who were administered preventative skin care).

After a median follow-up of 7 months, grade 3 apalutamide-induced skin rashes occurred in 8.1% (3/37) of patients in the skin care group and 53.6% (15/28) of patients in the control group. Based on Gray's test, the difference in incidence between groups was statistically significant (P = .002).

Preventive skin moisturization may reduce apalutamide-induced adverse skin events in patients with mCSPC or nmCRPC. Incorporating routine skin care may help patients experience the full efficacy of apalutamide while maintaining a good quality of life.

Clinical trials are essential for advancing cancer treatment, yet participation remains low, particularly among populations affected by social determinants of health (SDOH). This study aimed to evaluate how factors such as age, rurality, race, and language influence consideration for clinical trial enrollment.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on cancer patients treated at Avera Cancer Institute from 2018 to 2022. Demographic and socioeconomic data were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients considered for clinical trials were identified through internal databases. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression, were used to assess associations between SDOH and trial consideration.

Younger patients were significantly more likely to be considered for clinical trials, regardless of rural or urban residence. While rurality alone was not a significant predictor, increased distance from trial sites and older age were associated with decreased odds of trial consideration. Race and language showed limited impact due to small sample sizes and data limitations.

Age and geographic distance are key barriers to clinical trial consideration, with compounded effects observed in older rural patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to improve trial accessibility, such as expanding trial locations and addressing logistical barriers. Improved data collection on SDOH is critical to designing equitable clinical trial opportunities.

The therapeutic efficacy for cervical cancer treatment is limited by insufficient drug accumulation and penetration due to physiological barriers such as mucin-rich environments after systemic administration. Thus, developing a local drug delivery system is essential to overcome these hindrances. Active transcytosis of cancer nanomedicines holds great promise for enhancing tumor extravasation, infiltration, and antitumor activity. Herein, polyzwitterionic OPDEA-PCL was developed to encapsulate paclitaxel (PTX) into micelles, serving as an intravaginal therapy for orthotopic cervical cancer. The OPDEA-PCL/PTX micelles efficiently penetrated mucus and exhibited strong resistance to mucin fouling, thereby facilitating rapid transcytosis into tumors. Furthermore, OPDEA-PCL/PTX micelles colocalized with the mitochondria of tumor cells, reversing PTX resistance. In the orthotopic cervical tumor model, the inhibition rate of OPDEA-PCL/PTX micelles was 90.0%, more than 2-fold higher than that of free PTX. In the subcutaneous cervical cancer model which is resistant to PTX. Intravenous administration of OPDEA-PCL/PTX micelles significantly overcame PTX resistance, achieving a tumor inhibition rate of 95.2%, and extending the median survival time by more than 2-fold compared to free PTX and PEG-PCL/PTX treated groups. In summary, this approach holds great promise as a potent localized nanomedicine for cervical cancer treatment with minimal side effects.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with incidence steadily increasing in China. Early detection through screening significantly reduces morbidity and mortality. However, awareness and participation remain inadequate, especially in rural populations, who account for nearly 39% of China's total population. Understanding awareness levels and associated factors is essential for developing targeted interventions.

A population-based cluster cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2022 and March 2024 in two rural villages in Beijing and Henan Province. All permanent residents were eligible for this observational assessment of CRC awareness, for this observational assessment of CRC awareness; when the number of eligible residents exceeded the required sample size, participants were randomly selected from household lists provided by local village committees to ensure proportional representation across age and sex. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire assessing knowledge of CRC risk factors, preventive measures, early symptoms, and screening methods. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with high awareness, defined as a total score ≥ 90 on the awareness scale.

Of the 2,091 participants, 60% demonstrated high awareness of CRC screening. Recognition of major risk factors such as advanced age (83.5%), colon polyps (88.1%), and family history (87.3%) was high, as was awareness of protective factors like dietary fiber intake/whole grains/yogurt (85.5%). Awareness of early symptoms such as blood in the stool (88.4%) and abdominal pain/incomplete evacuation (95.5%) was strong, but recognition of fatigue and anemia was lower (77.4%). Awareness of fecal occult blood testing (82.0%) and fecal genetic testing (85.1%) was slightly lower than for colonoscopy (86.7%). Logistic regression showed that age, gender, education level, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher awareness (P < 0.05).

This study provides the first evidence of CRC awareness among rural populations in Northern China, revealing knowledge gaps in non-specific symptoms and non-invasive screening methods. Despite relatively high awareness, uptake of screening remains limited, indicating barriers such as access, cost, and cultural factors. Tailored education, accessible screening, and behavioral interventions are needed to improve prevention and early detection in these underserved communities.

Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer is the most common type of advanced breast cancer. The addition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors to endocrine therapy (ET) has made a marked change to patient outcomes. While clinical trials have established their efficacy, real-world studies like this one are needed to confirm their effectiveness given the many variables which may arise in patient demographics and clinical presentation.

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with HR+/HER2 - metastatic breast cancer treated with palbociclib, ribociclib, or abemaciclib plus ET at Electricity Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, between January 2019 and January 2025. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes were collected from medical records. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic variables were analyzed using Cox regression.

A total of 59 patients (94.9% female; median age 58 years) were included. De novo metastatic disease was present in 39%, and visceral metastases in 33.9%. Ribociclib was prescribed to 52.5%, palbociclib to 39%, and abemaciclib to 8.5%. The objective response rate (ORR) was 88.1%, and the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 98.3%. Median PFS was 23.7 months (95% CI, 11.9-23.9), and median OS was 38.9 months (95% CI, 27.0-60.3). On univariate analysis, absence of brain metastases, endocrine sensitivity, treatment response, and neutropenia were linked to longer PFS and OS. Dose reduction did not negatively impact outcomes. Toxicities were generally manageable, with grade 3-4 neutropenia in 33.9% of patients and no febrile episodes.

In this real-world cohort, CDK4/6 inhibitors plus ET achieved survival outcomes similar to those reported in clinical trials, with a favorable safety profile. Endocrine sensitivity, absence of brain metastases, and development of neutropenia were associated with better survival, supporting the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors across a broad patient population.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early-stage breast cancer, but ablation time varies substantially. We investigated clinical, imaging, procedural, and pathological factors associated with prolonged ablation time.

We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients who underwent breast RFA at a single institution between April 2024 and November 2025. Clinical variables, ultrasonographic tumor characteristics, mammography-based background breast density, ultrasonography-based puncture-site breast density, initial impedance, maximum power, and temperature were evaluated. Exploratory pathological assessment of stromal predominance was performed in 48 patients.

The median ablation time was 649.5 s (IQR 508.8-879.5). Ablation target size, ultrasonographic tumor dimensions, background density, puncture-site density (p < 0.001), and maximum power were positively associated with ablation time, whereas initial impedance showed a negative correlation. Puncture-site density and initial impedance were strongly inversely correlated (r = -0.716, p < 0.001). Mammography-based background density and ultrasonography-based puncture-site density showed substantial agreement (60/72, 83.3%) and strong ordinal correlation (Spearman r = 0.838, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, ablation target size (β = 60.26 s/mm, p = 0.003), initial impedance conditional on puncture-site density (β = 2.89 s/Ω, p = 0.015), and puncture-site density (β = 388.33 s/category, p < 0.001) were independently associated with prolonged ablation time.

Ablation time is influenced by tumor size, local tissue density, impedance, and possibly stromal predominance. Local ultrasonographic assessment complements mammographic density for procedure-specific RFA planning, although prospective validation is required.

Radiation retinopathy (RR) and radiation maculopathy (RM) are common, vision-threatening complications of ocular and periocular radiotherapy, particularly after treatment of uveal melanoma. They result from progressive occlusive microangiopathy leading to retinal ischemia, macular edema, and visual decline. With the increasing use of plaque brachytherapy and proton beam therapy, understanding their epidemiology, risk factors, and management is essential to improve outcomes.

RR and RM arise from radiation-induced endothelial and pericyte injury causing blood-retinal barrier breakdown, ischemia, and neuronal loss. Risk is influenced by patient factors (diabetes, hypertension, chemotherapy), tumor characteristics (size, location), and radiation parameters (dose, isotope, fractionation). Advances in imaging, especially OCT and OCT angiography, permit early detection of subclinical edema and microvascular ischemia before funduscopic changes. Classification systems integrating fundus, angiographic, and OCT features provide standardized grading. Treatment remains challenging, though anti-VEGF agents (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept) demonstrate the strongest evidence for reducing edema, stabilizing anatomy, and preserving vision; however, no treatment has demonstrated clear superiority, and outcomes are largely derived from non-comparative studies. Early and sustained therapy yields better outcomes, though recurrence is common. Emerging agents such as faricimab are under investigation.

RR and RM remain major obstacles to long-term visual preservation after ocular radiotherapy. Multimodal imaging enables earlier diagnosis, while anti-VEGF therapy is the current standard of care. Clinicians should maintain vigilance in at-risk patients, initiate timely treatment, and use imaging biomarkers to guide follow-up. Future research should optimize treatment regimens and evaluate novel therapeutics to further improve visual outcomes.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) as definitive treatment for vestibular schwannomas (VS) provides high rates of tumor control. Traditionally, treatment immobilization necessitated a rigid stereotactic frame. The Gamma Knife Icon (Elekta AB) system enables frameless, mask-based immobilization. This study evaluates tumor control and hearing preservation after single- or five-fraction frameless GKRS for VS.

We reviewed 206 patients with unilateral VS who underwent definitive single- or five-fraction GKRS with frameless immobilization between 2017 and 2024, ultimately including 170 patients with untreated VS. Radiographic follow-up was available for 112 patients, 40 of whom had both baseline and follow-up audiometric follow-up. Tumor control was assessed volumetrically on MRI and categorized as progressive, stable, partial response, complete response, or transient swelling. Serviceable hearing was defined as American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery class A or B. Kaplan-Meier methods estimated tumor control and and serviceable hearing preservation, and Cox regression evaluated associations with outcomes.

Among 112 patients with radiographic follow-up (median 2.3 years), 1- and 3-year tumor control rates were 97.1% and 93.7%. At last follow-up, 75.9% demonstrated stable disease or partial response, and 7 patients (6.3%) developed progressive disease. Of 76 patients with baseline serviceable hearing, 40 had audiometric follow-up; serviceable hearing preservation at 1 and 3 years was 71.1% and 33.8%, though 3-year data was limited. No factors were significantly associated with tumor control or hearing preservation.

Frameless GKRS for VS achieves acceptable tumor control that is comparable to historical frame-based series. These findings support the selective use of frameless GKRS, although warrant prospective studies with standardized radiologic and audiologic follow-up.

To describe temporal trends in lymph node staging for endometrial cancer in selected German academic centers between 2018 and 2022.

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, patients who underwent primary surgical treatment for newly diagnosed endometrial cancer between 2018 and 2022 at six German university hospitals were included. Patients receiving primary systemic or chemoradiation therapy were excluded. Patient characteristics and treatment details were analyzed descriptively and stratified by year of surgery. This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted as part of the E-PEC project, an ethics-approved multicenter project assessing surgical management patterns in newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.

A total of 644 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 62.4% underwent lymph node surgery. Sentinel-based procedures were increasingly performed over time and accounted for 61.4% of all nodal staging procedures. In contrast, the rate of primary systematic lymphadenectomy significantly decreased from 30.3% in 2018 to 17.9% in 2022 (p < 0.05).

We observed a temporal increase in less radical lymph node procedures in selected German academic centers during the study period. Sentinel-based techniques were increasingly used over time in parallel with evolving guideline recommendations.

Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection is considered an essential component of patient-centered cancer care. The objective of this study was to understand attitudes toward and understanding of SOGI data collection among patients receiving care at a comprehensive cancer center.

Surveys assessing attitudes toward SOGI data collection and acceptability of the collection methods were sent to 250 patients 2 months after participating in a pilot trial of SOGI data collection from September through December 2023. We also conducted a comparison of the acceptability of two standardized approaches to SOGI demographic questions. We purposively oversampled sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients to compare survey responses between respondents who did and did not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer/questioning (LGBTQ +).

Of 91 survey respondents (response rate 36%), average age was 58 years, the majority were assigned female at birth (69%) and white (71%), and 24% identified as LGBTQ + . Overall, participants reported high levels of agreement on SOGI data collection importance and acceptability. Survey responses suggested LGBTQ + participants considered SOGI data collection more important to collect and more comfortable to answer than participants who did not identify as LGBTQ + . For both groups, results suggest more limited response choices may be more understandable and acceptable than more extensive response choices.

There were generally positive attitudes toward SOGI data collection among patients undergoing cancer-related care, with greater acceptability among those who identified as LGBTQ + . Further efforts in patient education and refinement of acceptable SOGI questions may be necessary to improve universal understanding and acceptability.