This study aims to investigate the detection rate and associated factors of thyroid nodules among a health checkup population in Qingdao, China, and provide a theoretical basis for intervention. Data for 15,283 healthy examinees, collected from January 2013 to December 2022, including demographic data, physical examinations, and thyroid ultrasonography, were used to determine the presence of thyroid nodules. The epidemiological characteristics and related risk factors of thyroid nodules were revealed through t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis. The survey showed that the detection rate of thyroid nodules among the examined population was 28.48%, with females having a significantly higher detection rate than males (35.51% vs 21.47%, P = .002). The detection rate of thyroid nodules increased with age. Factors such as high C-reactive protein (CRP), hyperglycemia, hypertension, and smoking history were significantly more common in the male nodule group than in the non-nodule group. In females, abdominal obesity, high CRP, hyperglycemia, and hypertension were significantly associated with the detection of thyroid nodules. Logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, age, CRP, hyperglycemia, and smoking history are independent associated factors for the occurrence of thyroid nodules. The detection rate of thyroid nodules among health checkup participants in coastal areas is relatively high, especially among older women, smokers, those with hyperglycemia, and those with high CRP levels. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen thyroid health management and monitoring for these related population groups.

This study systematically analyzes the incidence, mortality, age distribution, racial disparities, and geographic trends of ovarian cancer in the United States from 1999 to 2023 using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance data; evaluates changes in disease burden; and identifies health imbalances. This population-based ecological trend analysis used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research database. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR, 1999/2018-2023) and age-adjusted incidence rates (1999/2017-2022) were extracted at national, state, racial (White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic), and regional (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) levels. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate the annual percent change (APC) with 95% confidence intervals for trend analysis. Epidemiological characteristics were compared across the demographic and geographic strata. From 1999 to 2022/2023, a significant decreasing trend was observed in both age-adjusted incidence rate (14.1-9.9 per 100,000) and AAMR (8.8-5.5 per 100,000). The substantial gap between incidence rank (14th among all cancers) and mortality rank (seventh among all cancers) highlights the high lethality of ovarian cancer relative to its incidence, reflecting the poor prognosis associated with this malignancy. Markedly divergent trends have been observed across racial and regional groups. Racial analysis revealed statistically significant declines in AAMR for both White and Black populations. Geographically, the Midwest and South showed significant improvement (APC = -2.7% and -2.5%, respectively), while the West exhibited a nonsignificant decline (APC = -1.7%, P = .0904). The age distribution demonstrated a sharp increase in mortality burden after age 40, peaking in the 65 to 74 age group. Overall progress in ovarian cancer control has been achieved in the United States. However, the disease burden remained substantial and uneven. Significant racial and geographic disparities have led to profound health inequities. Future strategies should focus on monitoring disparities, precise prevention of high-risk groups, and ensuring equitable access to medical advancements.

Oral carcinoma in situ (OCIS) is a Stage 0 precancerous condition with a significant risk of developing into invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma. Despite this, the metabolic processes driving its onset and progression remain largely unknown. Lipid metabolism, a crucial factor in the development and behavior of various cancers, has been extensively studied. However, its exact role in OCIS has not been clearly defined, highlighting the need for further research in this area. The present study is designed to investigate the potential causal associations between specific lipid metabolic markers and OCIS through the application of Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Our statistical analyses indicated nominal positive correlations between 2 lipid metabolic markers and the risk of OCIS. Specifically, polyunsaturated fatty acids and total cholesterol levels in very large high-density lipoprotein were associated with increased OCIS risk, with odds ratios of 2.32 (nominal P value = .0463) and 2.43 (nominal P value = .0439) per 1 standard deviation in this marker, respectively. Conversely, the phospholipid-to-total lipid ratio in small very low-density lipoprotein showed a nominal inverse association with OCIS risk, with an odds ratio of 0.31 (nominal P value = .0408) per 1 standard deviation in this marker. False discovery rate correction was applied for multiple testing, and no associations reached study-wide significance. Subsequent sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these nominal findings, and no substantial evidence of horizontal pleiotropy was detected for 3 of the lipid metabolic marker-OCIS associations. This exploratory study identifies 3 lipid metabolic markers (polyunsaturated fatty acids, total cholesterol levels in very large high-density lipoprotein, the phospholipid-to-total lipid ratio in small very low-density lipoprotein) that are consistent with a possible nominal effect on OCIS risk. Summary-level genome-wide association study data were used for exposures (233 lipid metabolic markers, 136,016 European-ancestry participants, genome-wide association study Catalog accession numbers GCST90301941-GCST90302173) and outcome (OCIS, 71 cases and 378,725 controls of European-ancestry participants from the FinnGen project, release version R12, data accessed in November 2024). Instrumental variables were selected based on genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8), linkage disequilibrium (R2 < 0.001, 10,000 kb window), and F-statistic > 10. The primary MR analysis used the inverse-variance weighted method. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger regression, weighted median, MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier, and leave-one-out tests.

Upper limb lymphedema that develops after breast cancer treatment affects not only patients' physical function and daily activities but also their psychosocial well-being, thereby reducing their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The Lymphedema Functioning, Disability, and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL) is a scale that comprehensively evaluates these effects. However, a Japanese version is not yet available. This study aimed to translate and develop a Japanese version of the Lymph-ICF-UL and to verify its psychometric properties in patients with breast cancer-related upper limb lymphedema. The scale was translated in accordance with international guidelines. A total of 208 women from 3 facilities in Japan completed the questionnaire. For test-retest reliability, 142 participants were randomly selected, among whom 131 completed the retest. Content validity was evaluated by 21 experts, and internal consistency and test-retest reliability were verified. For construct validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, and convergent and discriminant validities were evaluated using subscales of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire. The Japanese version of the Lymph-ICF-UL demonstrated acceptable content validity, high internal consistency, and good test-retest reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided partial support for the original five-factor structure; however, some model fit indices did not meet conventional thresholds. The forced five-factor model with low-loading items removed showed the lowest Bayesian information criterion. Convergent validity was supported for all predefined hypotheses, whereas discriminant validity was supported for 4 of 9 hypotheses, resulting in confirmation of 64% of all hypotheses. The Japanese version of the Lymph-ICF-UL has been demonstrated to have sufficient reliability and validity. This scale is a practical assessment tool for evaluating the HRQOL in patients with upper limb lymphedema.

We aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and identify prognostic indicators in elderly patients with driver gene-negative advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated with first-line bevacizumab-based therapy. Elderly patients (≥65 years) with driver gene-negative advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated between January 2020 and December 2024 were retrospectively included. According to first-line treatment strategies, patients were divided into a chemotherapy-alone group and a bevacizumab plus chemotherapy group. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. A total of 169 patients were included. In the bevacizumab group, the median OS was 47 months and the median PFS was 24 months. Multivariate analysis showed that prognostic nutritional index (PNI), vascular endothelial growth factor A, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125), and bevacizumab treatment were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Additionally, neutrophil-to-white blood cell ratio (NWR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, PNI, vascular endothelial growth factor A, CA-125, and bevacizumab treatment were independently associated with OS. Our findings suggest that bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy is associated with favorable survival outcomes in elderly patients with driver gene-negative advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Inflammation-, nutrition-, and tumor burden-related biomarkers may help predict survival and assist in risk stratification.

Skin cancer has emerged as a major global health challenge, with persistent variations in the burden across countries and regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the global, regional, and national burden of malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma from 1990 to 2021, and to analyze their temporal trends and associations with the Socio-demographic Index. We selected data on cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 204 countries and regions between 1990 and 2021, using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Temporal trends were quantified by calculating the incidence, mortality, and DALY rates as well as their percentage changes, while also analyzing the association between DALYs and Socio-demographic Index. Globally in 2021, 2.3 million cases of illness, 61.5 thousand deaths, and 1678.8 thousand DALYs were attributed to MM; squamous cell carcinoma caused 2.8 million prevalent cases, 56.9 thousand deaths, and 1210.9 thousand DALYs; and basal cell carcinoma accounted for 2.2 million epidemic cases and 2 thousand DALYs. Epidemic cases, deaths, DALYs counts, and age-standardized point rates are rising, but MM-induced deaths and DALYs rates have declined over the past 3 decades. The burden of skin cancer is higher in Australasia and High-income North America than in other regions. Under the Global Burden of Disease regional classifications, Australasia comprises Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding territories, while High-income North America encompasses the United States and Canada. At the national level, the burden is higher in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States; the burden is generally higher in men than in women, and is higher in older adults than in young people. Our study indicates that skin cancer remains an important public health issue worldwide. High-income regions such as Australasia and North America will continue to bear the greatest burden. Simultaneously, the burden on East Asia, Latin America, and Africa is rapidly increasing. This study also showed that the disease burden was greater in men and older adults. Therefore, countries and regions should attach great importance to the prevention and treatment of skin cancers, and develop and improve preventive measures.

Nurse-led supportive care is integral to palliative oncology, yet the intensity of nursing contact is rarely quantified, and its clinical relevance remains incompletely defined. We prospectively examined the association between supportive care intensity (SCI) and patient-reported outcomes and survival in patients receiving palliative chemotherapy. This prospective observational cohort study enrolled adults with advanced solid tumors undergoing palliative chemotherapy. All participants received routine physician-led oncology care and standard chemotherapy nursing, while additional supportive services were delivered according to usual clinical practice and were not protocolized as part of the study exposure. Patients were followed for 24 weeks for patient-reported outcomes, with survival follow-up until data lock. SCI was quantified based on the frequency and depth of nurse-delivered supportive care encounters, encompassing symptom assessment, patient education, coping support, self-management coaching, caregiver engagement, and remote follow-up. Outcomes included quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30), symptom burden, coping (Brief COPE), self-management capability, existential well-being, and overall survival. Linear mixed-effects models and Cox proportional hazards models were applied with adjustment for key clinical and demographic covariates. A total of 180 patients were included. Baseline demographic, clinical, and patient-reported characteristics were generally similar across SCI quartiles, although modest imbalance was observed in selected clinical variables, particularly Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. Higher SCI was associated with significantly greater improvements in global QOL over 24 weeks (P < .001), showing a graded association across SCI levels. Improvements were most pronounced in physical and role functioning, while fatigue, appetite loss, and constipation showed the largest symptom reductions. Higher SCI was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving a clinically meaningful ≥10-point improvement in global QOL (adjusted odds ration [OR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.90), lower Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores (β - 2.21, P < .001), more adaptive coping strategies, higher self-management capability (adjusted OR 1.82, P < .001), and better existential well-being. In exploratory survival analyses, higher SCI was associated with lower adjusted mortality risk (adjusted hazard ration [HR] 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.96), with a possible contact-frequency pattern observed for ≥8 nurse-led supportive care encounters (adjusted HR 0.61, P = .018). Within routine oncology care, greater intensity of nurse-led supportive care was associated with multidimensional improvements in QOL, symptom burden, coping, and self-management, and showed a favorable exploratory association with lower adjusted mortality risk.

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common pediatric renal malignancy. Reliable prognostic markers are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Immune-related genes (IRGs) significantly influence tumor progression and the tumor microenvironment, yet their prognostic value in WT remains unclear. This study aimed to develop an immune-related prognostic model for WT and investigate its underlying molecular and immunological mechanisms. We analyzed RNA-seq data and clinical information from the TARGET-WT and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Using differential expression analysis, we identified differentially expressed genes. We identified immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEIRGs) by intersecting differentially expressed genes with known IRGs. Using univariate and multivariate Cox regression along with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression, we selected 4 DEIRGs and constructed a prognostic risk score model. We further analyzed the model's molecular and immunological characteristics. Four DEIRGs (epidermal growth factor [EGF], teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor 1 [TDGF1], leukotriene B4 receptor [LTB4R], and HLA-DMB) showed significant associations with overall survival in WT patients. The risk stratification model categorized patients into high- and low-risk groups, with significantly poorer survival in the high-risk group (P < .001). Enrichment analysis revealed that the high-risk group showed enrichment in oncogenic pathways (e.g., genome instability), whereas the low-risk group demonstrated enrichment in immune defense and homeostasis pathways. The high-risk group exhibited reduced tumor microenvironment (TME) immunoreactivity, with EGF and LTB4R emerging as key regulatory factors. Both EGF and LTB4R demonstrate differential expression across multiple tumor types and correlate significantly with TME scores. The immune-related prognostic model developed in this study elucidates the regulatory roles of EGF and LTB4R in Wilms tumor progression. This model effectively stratifies patients, enables accurate prognosis prediction, facilitates individualized treatment planning, and identifies potential therapeutic targets.

Transforming acidic coiled-coil-containing protein 3 (TACC3) plays a crucial oncogenic role in various carcinomas and may act as a novel prognostic factor. However, its prognostic significance and underlying mechanisms in breast cancer (BRCA) remain unclear and require further investigation. This research included 181 breast cancer tissues, and the expression levels of TACC3 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining and grading. The mRNA expression of TACC3 in pan-cancer was analyzed with The Cancer Genome Atlas data platform. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis assessed TACC3's feasibility as a biomarker, using the area under the curve score. Cox regression analysis evaluated TACC3's prognostic value in BRCA patients. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed to explore TACC3's potential biological functions. Additionally, single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) assessed the relationship between TACC3 expression and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in BRCA. High TACC3 expression was prevalent in BRCA tissues and correlated with T-stage and histological type. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high TACC3 expression was associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that TACC3 may act as a prognostic biomarker. ssGSEA analysis revealed a positive correlation between elevated TACC3 expression and various tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, including B cells, cytotoxic cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, T cells, and so on. TACC3 plays a significant role in regulating the tumor immune response, presenting a promising molecular target that could provide new insights into treatment strategies for BRCA.

Both preclinical and retrospective studies have implicated β-adrenergic signaling in cancer progression, leading to interest in β-blockers (BBs) as adjunctive anticancer agents. There is evidence that they may enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy and other conventional therapies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the radiosensitizing effects of BBs.

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the China biology medicine database, Wan fang Data, and the VIP database were searched for articles in both English and Chinese from the establishment of the databases to September 8, 2025, to identify studies comparing outcomes according to beta-blocker use (yes vs no) in patients with solid tumors treated with radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was overall Survival (OS), Secondary objectives included 1, 2, 5-Year Survival, disease-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, locoregional progression-free survival and progression-free survival (PFS).

8 studies (3165 patients), including 7 retrospective cohort studies and 1 randomized controlled trial, were analyzed. The most common cancer was non-small cell lung cancer (n = 5). BB use was associated with significantly improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.83). Benefits were also observed for disease-free survival (HR 0.69) and Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (HR 0.62), indicating reduced recurrence and metastasis.

In this meta-analysis, the use of BBs during or around radiotherapy may be associated with longer OS in cancer patients, suggesting that it may enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and provide a survival benefit. Alternatively, the effect of β-blockers on survival may shift from a nonspecific effect to an intriguing cancer-specific effect over time. Beta-blockers are an intriguing option to explore in prospective studies of patients with solid tumors undergoing radiotherapy.