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Imaging evaluation and management of liver infections: a multimodality review.3 weeks agoLiver infections comprise a large category of hepatic diseases which vary in etiology and geographic distribution. They remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally and require prompt diagnosis and management. Because clinical and laboratory findings may not be definitive, imaging often plays an important role in the diagnosis, characterization, and follow-up of hepatic infections. Advanced imaging techniques increase accuracy of diagnosis of specific infectious pathogens and in some cases provide the means of differentiation of various infections from other hepatic pathologies and conditions, most notably, neoplasms. Radiologists must be familiar with the key imaging findings and differential features in the multimodality approach to these conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of common and uncommon hepatic infections, highlighting key imaging features, characteristic signs, differential diagnoses, complications, and treatment considerations. Advanced techniques utilizing major cross-sectional modalities, including but not limited to contrast-enhanced ultrasound, dual energy computed tomography, and diffusion-weighted and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging will be discussed. A summary table that combines clinical, laboratory, demographic data and imaging findings will also be provided to guide diagnostic evaluation. This article aims to equip radiologists with essential tools for accurate diagnosis and timely clinical guidance.CancerCare/Management
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Follow the "DOTs": Vδ1+ γδ T cells as effectors of cancer immunotherapy.3 weeks agoCancer immunotherapy has mostly relied on conventional T cells to achieve success in a limited set of tumor types. A promising avenue to expand the repertoire of cancers effectively treated through immune intervention is to mobilize other anti-tumor effectors, such as γδ T cells. Among these, the Vδ1+ subset commonly predominates within peripheral tissues and within tumors, typically associating with good prognosis. In this Found in Translation, we discuss how to leverage the biological properties of Vδ1+ γδ T cells for cancer immunotherapy, with special focus on the delta one T (DOT) cell approach.CancerCare/Management
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A Case of Pseudoreduction of IgA.3 weeks agoImmunoglobulin A (IgA) is an important biomarker for clinical evaluation of immune system function and multiple myeloma. The hook effect may lead to a false decrease in IgA test results, especially at extremely high IgA concentrations, which may mask the true disease state and result in misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.
We report a case of false decrease in IgA due to the hook effect.
The detection values of IgA (6.89 g/L), IgM (0.33 g/L), and IgG (2.72 g/L) in the patient were significantly different from the serum globulin level (52.5 g/L). After dilution, the true value of IgA was retested to be 37.25 g/L. The original value of IgA was falsely reduced due to the hook effect.
When the IgA test results contradict the serum globulin levels, attention should be paid to the hook effect. Laboratory personnel should obtain the true level of IgA through sample dilution retesting to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of multiple myeloma.CancerCardiovascular diseasesCare/Management -
Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Adaptation in Early Breast Cancer Survivorship: A Latent Profile Analysis.3 weeks agoThe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the most frequently expressed concerns among breast cancer (BC) survivors. This study explored profiles of FCR and adaptation indicators, centring on body image and 'bouncing back', 18 months post-diagnosis. It also examined psycho-social predictors for profiles. The study sample comprised 494 women from Finland, Italy, Portugal, and Israel, diagnosed with Stage I-III BC. Participants' ages ranged from 40 to 70 years (M = 54.92, SD = 8.22) and were assessed at diagnosis and after 3 and 18 months. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form, Body Image Subscale- from the quality-of-life questionnaire- BC module, Bounce Back single self-report item, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey along with medical-social-demographic data. Three profiles of FCR and adaptation indicators were identified: (1) the Adaptive Profile (67% of the sample), indicated relatively low levels of FCR and higher levels of body image and bounce back; (2) the Distressed Profile (19%), marked by higher FCR compared to the other profiles, moderate body image and bouncing back; and (3) the Body Image Impairment Profile (14%), with participants reporting the lowest body image levels relative to the other two profiles. Depression levels 3 months post-diagnosis predicted more challenged coping FCR profiles. This study identifies distinct patterns of FCR and adaptation during the initial phase of BC survivorship. While most women adjust well, a considerable portion continue to face challenges. Among women experiencing elevated depressive symptoms early in the disease, these difficulties may be further compounded, highlighting the importance of early screening and timely preventive intervention.CancerCare/ManagementAdvocacy
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T-Cell Immunity and Lung Cancer.3 weeks agoLung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have reshaped therapeutic strategies in lung cancer, their benefits remain limited. ICIs exert their therapeutic efficacy by activating T-cell effector functions, underscoring the central role of T cells in antitumor immunity. Thus, this review focuses on the role of T cells in lung cancer and summarises recent advances. Tumour-specific CD8+ T cells that attack tumour cells directly form the core of antitumor immunity, yet chronic antigenic stimulation drives functional impairment and exhaustion that constrain treatment responsiveness. Conversely, regulatory T cells modulate immune responses through diverse suppressive mechanisms and influence clinical outcomes. In addition, tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) that arise within tumours can amplify local immunity through interactions among follicular helper T cells, B cells, and other immune subsets, and are increasingly linked to therapeutic efficacy and prognosis. Emerging evidence also indicates that metabolic features of the tumour microenvironment modulate T-cell differentiation and persistence. Collectively, these insights provide a foundation for translating an improved understanding of T-cell-centred immune responses and their regulatory circuits into clinical practice. Overall, clarifying T-cell functional states is essential for optimising immunotherapy and achieving durable benefit in lung cancer.CancerCare/Management
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Evolving strategies in prostate cancer: Emerging approaches and unmet needs from the Bridging the Gaps in Prostate Cancer expert panel.3 weeks agoThe expansion of treatment options for prostate cancer (PC) has improved disease-specific and overall survival outcomes but has also raised questions about the optimal level of treatment needed for patients based on their individual prognosis and accounting for potential toxicity, incorporating quality of life considerations.
A panel of experts met to discuss current controversies in the care of patients with PC across the disease continuum. Multidisciplinary experts review advances and persistent uncertainties in biomarker-guided assessment, imaging, and systemic therapy for prostate cancer. The discussion outlines priority gaps in evidence that must be addressed to optimize individualized patient care.
Workshop topics included use of genomic biomarkers and artificial intelligence-guided tools to identify and manage high-risk and very-high risk localized disease, management of biochemical recurrence, identification of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive PC who warrant treatment escalation, radiopharmaceutical therapy for metastatic castration-resistant PC including optimal sequencing of approved therapies, role of imaging in identification and management of extraprostatic disease, and lifestyle interventions to optimize survivorship.
Many questions remain about management of PC related to biomarker-based risk stratification to guide treatment selection, use of prostate-specific membrane antigen-positron emission tomography, and balancing the risk for PC-related death with risks for treatment-related toxicity. Ongoing research efforts are needed to optimize risk-based treatment, sequence of therapies throughout the disease continuum, and survivorship care.CancerCare/ManagementAdvocacy -
Imaging-Detected Extranodal Extension in Head and Neck Cancer: Clinical Significance and a Standardized Imaging Assessment.3 weeks agoExtranodal extension (ENE) is an important adverse prognostic factor in head and neck cancer and has significant implications for treatment planning. Traditionally, pathologic ENE has guided nodal staging and postoperative management; however, its assessment is limited to surgically treated patients. In contrast, imaging-detected ENE (iENE) can be evaluated before treatment in all patients, regardless of treatment modality, underscoring its growing clinical relevance. Despite this advantage, variability in imaging interpretation has persisted due to the lack of standardized definitions and diagnostic criteria. Recent international consensus efforts have addressed this gap by proposing standardized terminology and a tiered classification system for iENE to enhance reproducibility and clinical communication. This review summarizes the concept and clinical significance of iENE from a radiologist's perspective, examines the limitations of previously proposed imaging criteria, and provides a stepwise explanation of the standardized classification system. Practical considerations for applying this system in routine radiologic interpretation and reporting are also discussed.CancerCare/Management
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Clinico-Radiological Presentation and Management of Gallbladder Paraganglioma: A Systematic Review.3 weeks agoGallbladder paraganglioma (GPG) is a rare neuroendocrine tumour discovered incidentally on final histopathological examination. The objective was to evaluate the clinical findings and management strategies using relevant literature for reported cases of gallbladder paraganglioma. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)-guided literature search was conducted using data from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify the studies with histopathologically confirmed cases of GPG published between January 2000 and December 2024. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist, and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and tabulations. A total of 13 case reports were selected, satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among 13 reported cases, 10 (76.3%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 53.8 ± 12.59 years. Right hypochondrial pain was the most common presentation in seven (53.9%) cases, while three (23.1%) cases were asymptomatic. Ultrasound was the initial imaging modality in seven (53.9%) patients, followed by computed tomography scans in six (46.2%). Histopathology showed a nested pattern of chief and sustentacular cells in five (38.5%) cases. On immunohistochemistry, 11 (84.6%) cases were positive for synaptophysin A and nine (69.2%) were positive for chromogranin A. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the most common procedure performed in 10 (76.3%) cases. The average duration of follow-up was 66.5 ± 82.10 weeks, which was mentioned for only five patients. GPG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder and biliary disorders presenting with features of acute cholecystitis and non-functional tumours. Patients often present with non-specific symptoms aligning with mass effects and cholecystitis. When a growth is suspected, it should be thoroughly evaluated before surgery to rule out other types of invasive gallbladder tumours. If investigations confirm a non-metastatic lesion, proceeding with a simple cholecystectomy is appropriate.CancerCare/Management
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Myosin IXb is involved in multiple pathological conditions.3 weeks agoMyosin IXb (Myo9b) is a single-headed motor protein in the myosin superfamily. It contains a unique Rho guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein domain, which enables it to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and cell migration. Most studies on Myo9b are focused on epithelial repair, intestinal barrier function, and immune cell motility; however, its roles in immune regulation, inflammatory responses, tumorigenesis, and various autoimmune diseases have garnered notable attention in recent years. This study comprehensively reviews the structural characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions of Myo9b, along with emphasizing its crucial roles in various pathological conditions and its potential as a therapeutic target.CancerCare/ManagementPolicy
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Modeling Normal Tissue Complication Probability of Radiation-Induced Alopecia Following Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy in Glioblastoma Patients.3 weeks agoGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor requiring radiotherapy (RT), which often leads to radiation-induced alopecia (RIA), a distressing toxicity impacting quality of life. This study establishes the first normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) framework for RIA in GBM patients, comparing the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) model and multivariate logistic regression.
A prospective cohort of 41 GBM patients undergoing intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) was analyzed. Scalp contours were generated for dosimetric evaluation, and NTCP was modeled using the LKB framework (parameters: TD50 = 24 Gy, m = 0.47) and logistic regression. Dosimetric parameters and clinical variables were assessed. Model performance was evaluated via AUC-ROC, Brier score, and Hosmer-Lemeshow tests.
Grade 2 RIA incidence was 46.3% at 3 months and 31.7% at 6 months. Dosimetric parameters Dmax and concurrent chemotherapy were significant predictors (P < 0.05). The logistic regression model outperformed the LKB model (AUC: 0.91 vs. 0.89), demonstrating superior discrimination and calibration. For NTCP < 50%, the generalized equivalent uniform dose threshold was identified as 38 Gy.
Multivariate logistic regression, integrating dosimetric and clinical factors, offers enhanced predictive accuracy for RIA compared to the LKB model. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing IMRT plans to limit scalp dose and considering chemotherapy in risk stratification. Implementation of these models may improve patient-centered care by balancing tumor control and toxicity reduction.CancerCare/Management