We aimed to identify clinicopathological risk factors associated with distant metastasis in follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and to evaluate prognostic factors influencing survival in distant metastatic FTC patients, thereby providing evidence for risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies.

In this retrospective study, we enrolled FTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, or thyroid lobectomy at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2014 to December 2021. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups: the distant metastasis group (DM group) and the group with no evidence of distant metastasis during the study period (NDM group). The DM group was further divided into the survival group and the mortality group at the last follow-up.

In total, 111 patients who underwent thyroid surgery were included. 30 patients (27.03%) had distant metastasis (DM group), and 81 patients (72.97%) had no distant metastasis (NDM group). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the FTC subtype (odds ratio [OR]: 141.244; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.128-2798.802; P = 0.001), the number of lymph node metastases LNMs (OR: 0.028; 95% CI: 0.001-0.563; P = 0.020), T stage (OR: 0.048; 95% CI: 0.003-0.766; P = 0.032) and the type of initial surgery (OR: 175.685; 95% CI: 6.452-4783.472; P = 0.002) were independent risk factors predicting DM. Overall, the 3-year cumulative survival rates of DM patients was 83.0%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significant differences in the 3-year survival time according to T stage (P = 0.019).

Widely invasive FTC, lymph node metastasis, T3/T4 stage, and initial total thyroidectomy are independent predictors of distant metastasis in FTC patients. For FTC patients with DM, high T stage may be related to a greater likelihood of mortality.

Cancer treatment relies heavily on accurate diagnosis and effective monitoring of the disease. These processes often involve invasive procedures, such as colonoscopy, to detect malignant tissues, followed by molecular analyses to determine relevant biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for detecting Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Proto-Oncogene (KRAS), Neuroblastoma RAS Viral Oncogene Homolog (NRAS), and B-Raf Murine Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog B (BRAF) mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from colorectal cancer patients using liquid biopsy.

ctDNA was isolated from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients (n = 110) and analyzed for KRAS, BRAF, and NRAS mutations. The ctDNA obtained through liquid biopsy was analyzed using ddPCR, and the findings were compared with sequencing data from tumor DNA archived in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks.

For KRAS mutations, ddPCR achieved a sensitivity of 72.0% and a specificity of 71.4%. However, when pooling all target mutations (KRAS, NRAS and BRAF), the overall sensitivity and specificity were lower, at 48.3% and 51.1%, respectively.

The results of this study indicate that the ddPCR analysis of ctDNA may provide complementary information for the molecular diagnosis of CRC patients.

To determine whether immunotherapy can bring new hope for patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate whether immunotherapy can achieve better efficacy in LS-SCLC patients.

We evaluated 122 LS-SCLC patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or sequential chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) (Group A) and immunotherapy combined with CCRT/SCRT followed by immunotherapy (Group B), to assess the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Factors affecting prognosis were also explored using Cox analysis. The prognosis of patients with type 2 diabetes and patients with different TNM stages was compared to guide the selection of clinical regimens.

The overall ORR was 55.93%. The overall DCR was 98.31%. The DCR was 100% in Group A and 96.61% in Group B. There was no statistical difference in ORR and DCR. The overall median PFS was 9.86 months (95% CI, 8.62-11.10), and the difference in median PFS between the two groups was statistically significant (8.94 vs. 11.89 months, p = 0.03). The Cox regression analysis showed type 2 diabetes was associated with the survival prognosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes tended to choose immunotherapy combined with CCRT/SCRT. Patients in TNM stage IIIB had a significantly worse prognosis than those in stage I + II + IIIA.

We suggest that LS-SCLC patients who receive immunotherapy combined with CCRT/SCRT can achieve longer PFS than those with CCRT/SCRT. Type 2 diabetes and TNM stage affect the survival prognosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes may benefit from immunotherapy combination treatments.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer cases. By 2050, CRC incidence is expected to rise substantially, driven by population aging and greater exposure to risk factors in developing countries. Despite advances in medicine and pharmacy, the effectiveness of available treatments remains limited, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes and critically evaluates currently available CRC therapies and explores new emerging directions. Particular attention is given to the role of immunotherapy, targeted therapies, nanotechnology-based approaches, metal-based compounds, PROTAC technology, and personalized medicine, with emphasis on their efficacy, safety, accessibility, and mechanisms of drug resistance. In conclusion, surgery and chemotherapy remain the backbone of CRC treatment, but novel therapeutic approaches are reshaping the treatment landscape. Emerging strategies may offer improved patient tolerability and survival outcomes by reducing the occurrence of burdensome adverse effects. Persistent challenges such as drug toxicity, the emergence of resistance mechanisms, and inequalities in access to innovative therapies underscore the need for further translational research. Integrating personalized therapeutic approaches will also be crucial to achieving more effective, safer, and accessible treatment strategies for CRC.

Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant challenge due to the limited sensitivity of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). This study aimed to assess serum-derived extracellular vesicle-encapsulated GULP PTB domain-containing engulfment adaptor 1 (EV-GULP1) as a novel, noninvasive biomarker for HCC detection and prognosis, leveraging the potential of tumor-specific molecules carried by small extracellular vesicles (EVs).

The study utilized both internal and external cohorts of HCC patients and controls. Small EVs were isolated from serum samples, then characterized and validated to confirm their identity. The expression levels of EV-GULP1 were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

EV-GULP1 expression was found to be significantly higher in HCC patients, including those with early-stage disease, when compared to control groups. It demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy over AFP, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.919, and was particularly effective in detecting AFP-negative cases. Furthermore, high EV-GULP1 expression correlated with worse overall and disease-free survival outcomes.

These findings highlight EV-GULP1 as a highly promising noninvasive biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. It offers improved diagnostic accuracy for early detection and better risk stratification for prognosis compared to the current standard, AFP.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies have reshaped treatment non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) paradigms, prognosis remains poor for many patients due to delayed diagnosis and resistance mechanisms. Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive approach to monitoring tumor evolution. Among circulating biomarkers, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAM-Ls) may provide complementary prognostic insights. The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of CTC and CAM-Ls dynamic in metastatic NSCLC patients.

We retrospectively analyzed 77 patients with metastatic NSCLC who underwent CTC and CAM-L evaluation via the CellSearch® system at baseline (T0) and after three months of first-line treatment (T1) including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or ICIs. Survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

Conversion to CTC-negative status at T1 was associated with improved outcomes, with median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of 33 and 18 months, respectively, vs. 10 and 6 months in persistently positive patients (both p < 0.001). CTC negativity at T1 remained an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR: 6.68) and PFS (HR: 5.91, both p < 0.0001). CAM-L positivity at T1 also correlated with longer OS (30 vs. 12 months) and PFS (13 vs. 6 months, both p < 0.0001), particularly among ICI-treated patients. Combined CTC and CAM-L assessment further refined risk stratification.

Dynamic monitoring of CTCs and CAM-Ls provides actionable prognostic information in metastatic NSCLC. CTC-negative status predicted longer OS and PFS, while CAM-L positivity at T1 was associated with improved outcomes, particularly in ICI-treated patients. Combined assessment of both biomarkers may directly inform therapeutic decision-making, through early detection of outcomes.

Leiomyosarcomas are very rare soft tissue sarcomas originating from smooth muscle cells. This neoplasm can develop in various places around the body, including but not limited to the uterus, retroperitoneum, colon, blood vessels, and bladder. This case report details the discovery of a cecal leiomyosarcoma in a patient who presented to the emergency department after a year of abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexpected weight loss. The report will discuss the available literature on leiomyosarcoma, the surgical approach for management in this patient, and post-operative management.

Desmoid tumors, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, are rare, benign soft tissue neoplasms characterized by local invasiveness and a high recurrence rate. They can mimic malignant tumors, particularly in patients with a history of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). We report a case of a 60-year-old male who developed intra-abdominal desmoid tumors five years after undergoing laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery (LECS) for gastric GIST, followed by adjuvant imatinib therapy. Imaging studies, including contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), revealed two mesenteric masses. The larger lesion demonstrated elevated fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake (SUVmax = 6.7), raising suspicion for recurrent GIST. Surgical resection was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of desmoid tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive β-catenin staining, with negative markers for CD34, desmin, and c-kit, distinguishing it from recurrent GIST. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of differentiating desmoid tumors from GIST recurrence based on imaging alone. Histopathological confirmation remains crucial for accurate diagnosis. Surgical resection is the primary treatment for symptomatic desmoid tumors, but given their high recurrence rate, long-term follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for optimal management.

Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is a common benign ovarian neoplasm, but its presentation as bilateral, giant masses in a prepubertal child is rare. Complications like torsion and acute urinary retention pose significant diagnostic and management challenges, where fertility preservation is a primary concern. An 8-year-old premenarchal girl presented with a four-day history of abdominal pain, fever, and acute urinary retention. Examination revealed a large, firm abdominal mass. Imaging suggested bilateral immature teratoma. Emergency laparotomy revealed two massive ovarian masses, with the left torsed, ischemic, and a rudimentary uterus. Bilateral ovarian cystectomy was successfully performed. Histopathology confirmed a right-sided mature cystic teratoma and left-sided hemorrhagic necrosis from torsion, ruling out malignancy. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was commenced on hormone replacement therapy due to compromised ovarian reserve. At two-year follow-up, she remains stable with no complaints. This case underscores that giant ovarian teratomas, though rare in children, can present dramatically. It highlights the critical importance of a fertility-preserving surgical approach even in complex cases and the necessity of long-term, multidisciplinary follow-up to manage subsequent endocrine sequelae.

Thyroid tuberculosis (TB) is a rare form of extrapulmonary infection that can mimic thyroid neoplasms. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific imaging and cytology. We report a case of a 77-year-old female with a history of subtotal gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Surveillance CT revealed right-lobe-predominant thyroid enlargement causing tracheal compression. Ultrasound showed a multinodular goitre with a 4.1-cm solid nodule (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) 3) and a 1.7-cm hypoechoic nodule (TI-RADS 4). Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the smaller nodule suggested a follicular neoplasm. The right thyroid lobectomy was performed. Histology revealed a follicular adenoma with epithelioid granulomas, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) complex DNA. The patient completed standard anti-tuberculosis therapy and remained asymptomatic at eight months of follow-up. TB should be considered in patients with nodular thyroid disease, particularly when granulomatous inflammation or compressive symptoms are present. Molecular testing facilitates accurate diagnosis, guides therapy, and helps avoid unnecessary surgery.