Distant Metastatic Sites Research Articles

Autoimmune and Neoplastic Outcomes After the mRNA Vaccination: The Role of T Regulatory Cell Responses

A plethora of autoimmune disease incidences occured after COVID-19 mRNA injections were rolled out. Aggressive cancer cases have occurred in the bodies of recipients at sites where the mRNA was injected and at distant metastatic sites. The mRNA vaccines cause thymic involution (shrinking) and dysregulation of the T regulatory (Treg) and T effector (Teff) homeostatic cell balance. Activated immune cells deliver spike protein to the thymic epithelial cells, damaging them. The Treg/Teff balance may determine the fate of autoimmunity and/or cancer and is different for patients with cancer versus those without any cancerous tissues. Repeated mRNA injections lead to empirical evidence of impaired immune functions (elevated IgG4, PD-L1), associated with increased autoimmunity and cancer risks, and decreased resistance to infections. In the with-cancer recipients, the mRNA vaccine may be associated with either autoimmunity or further progression of the cancer(s) depending on the immunotherapy treatment the patient receives. When an antigen stimulates the immune system, specific T regulatory (Treg) and T effector (Teff) subpopulations develop from naïve T cells. An imbalance between Treg and Teff cells can lead to either cancer or autoimmunity. Treg cells are beneficial in that they protect from autoimmunity. However, they suppress the immune response to tumors. In this review, we analyze Treg responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and find distinct pathological responses under differing conditions. Injection with modified mRNA can lead to a delayed but highly active immune response, resulting in overactivation of the inflammasome. The mRNA “vaccine” induces a very strong IgG antibody response, while suppressing CD8+ T cell activation. Exosomes distribute the recombinant, synthetic spike protein and the mRNA encoding it throughout the organism. In cancer patients, disease progression depends on the starting point of the cancer patient at the time of injection and the type of cancer treatment underway. Migration of circulating dendritic cells and Treg cells back to the thymus, while they are carrying spike protein, damages the medullary thymic epithelial cells and accelerates thymic involution, a direct cause of inflammaging and immunosenescence. In summary, the Treg responses to mRNA injections and subsequent mRNA-encoded SARS-CoV-2 spike protein expression may disrupt immune capacities resulting in accelerated development of autoimmune disease and cancer. The processes discussed here are consistent with both epidemiological findings and case reports.

Distant Metastases of Breast Cancer Resemble Primary Tumors in Cancer Cell Composition but Differ in Immune Cell Phenotypes.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with distant metastasis being the main cause of breast cancer-related deaths. Elucidating the changes in the tumor and immune ecosystems that are associated with metastatic disease is essential to improve understanding and ultimately treatment of metastasis. Here, we developed an in-depth, spatially resolved single-cell atlas of the phenotypic diversity of tumor and immune cells in primary human breast tumors and matched distant metastases, using imaging mass cytometry to analyze a total of 75 unique antibody targets. While the same tumor cell phenotypes were typically present in primary tumors and metastatic sites, suggesting a strong founder effect of the primary tumor, their proportions varied between matched samples. Notably, the metastatic site did not influence tumor phenotype composition, except for the brain. Metastatic sites exhibited a lower number of immune cells overall, but had a higher proportion of myeloid cells as well as exhausted and cytotoxic T cells. Myeloid cells showed distinct tissue-specific compositional signatures and increased presence of potentially matrix remodeling phenotypes in metastatic sites. This analysis of tumor and immune cell phenotypic composition of metastatic breast cancer highlights the heterogeneity of the disease within patients and across distant metastatic sites, indicating myeloid cells as the predominant immune modulators that could potentially be targeted at these sites.

The clinical outcome, pathologic spectrum, and genomic landscape for 454 cases of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary tumor. A complete understanding of the high heterogeneity of MEC in histology and genetics would help in accurate diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, We evaluated the clinical features, treatment outcomes, and pathological parameters of 454 MECs and analyzed their genomic features using whole-exome sequencing and whole-transcriptome sequencing. We found that MECs predominantly occurred in females and those in their 4th–5th decades. The parotid gland was the most frequently affected site. All patients underwent complete mass resection with lobectomy; 414 patients were alive without relapse at follow-up, after an average period of 62 months (1–116 months). The disease progressed after initial treatment in 40 patients. The lungs were the most common site of distant metastasis. For classical MECs, histologic gradings of the AFIP, modified Healey, and MSK systems were significantly associated with recurrence and lymph nodal metastasis; these gradings were significantly related to lymph nodal metastasis for the subtypes. Older age, minor salivary gland involvement, clinical symptoms, high TNM stage, high-grade tumor, and improper surgical modality were the main prognostic factors. BAP1 was the most frequently mutated gene in MEC. Mutations in CDKN2A, MET, and TP53 were more frequently found in aggressive tumor phenotypes. MAML2 rearrangement was observed in 42% of patients, and EWSR1 rearrangement in 8%. Specific genetic events (in TP53 and FBXW7) with CRTC1::MAML2 fusion superimposed might be associated with unfavorable prognosis. This study provides new insights into precision therapeutic strategies for MEC.

Metastatic tumours to the parotid: A 20-year single institutional experience with an emphasis on 14 unusual presentations

The parotid gland is a rare site for distant metastasis. We aim to provide an overview of metastatic tumours to the parotid over the past 20 years, focusing on clinicopathological analysis of 14 rare diagnoses. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first group to present the most up-to-date and largest case series on unusual metastases to the parotid. A total of 93 metastatic cases were identified from 2004 to 2023, on the pathology information system at North West London Pathology, with squamous cell carcinoma (n = 45, 48.4 %) as the most common primary, followed by malignant melanoma (n = 29, 31.2 %) and Merkel cell carcinoma (n = 4, 4.3 %). We came across 14 rare tumours that had metastasised to the parotid, including metastatic adenocarcinoma from kidney (n = 3, 3.2 %), lung (n = 3, 3.2 %) and breast (n = 1, 1.1 %), olfactory neuroblastoma (n = 3, 3.2 %), soft tissue sarcoma (n = 2, 2.2 %), small cell carcinoma (n = 1, 1,1 %) and hidradenocarcinoma (n = 1, 1.1 %). Half of all secondary neoplastic lesions (50.5 %) were found in intra-parotid nodes, while the other half (49.5 %) were found in parotid parenchyma. Our study offers valuable insights into the various tumour types that can metastasise to the parotid across a wide age range. It underscores the necessity of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis. Keeping an open mind regarding the potential primary sources of the tumour is imperative for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

TERT promoter mutations contribute to adverse clinical outcomes and poor prognosis in radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations are associated with non-radioiodine avidity. However, the role of these mutations in the clinical outcomes of patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) remains unknown. Herein, we aim to analyze gene mutations and clinical manifestations to verify TERTp’s role in driving disease progression to RAIR-DTC and clinical outcomes. Next-generation sequencing data and clinical data were obtained from 243 patients with DTC. Of the 25 patients with TERTp mutations, 80% (20/25) had RAIR-DTC. RAIR-DTC was significantly less prevalent in patients with BRAFV600E (9/143, 6.3%) than those with both BRAFV600E and TERTp mutations (14/17, 82.4%). Patients with RAIR-DTC harboring both BRAFV600E and TERTp mutations were more likely to have > 3 distant metastatic sites (85.7%, 12/14) than those with BRAFV600E alone (33.3%, 3/9). Only one patient with both BRAFV600E and TERTp mutations had non-RAIR-DTC. The time from initial radioactive iodine therapy to RAIR-DTC diagnosis was significantly shorter in patients with TERTp mutations than in those without. Patients with BRAFV600E and TERTp mutations progressed faster to RAIR-DTC than those with BRAFV600E alone (p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that molecular testing for TERTp and other mutations like BRAFV600E may inform early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies before progression to RAIR-DTC.

LNMAC Promotes Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Lymphatic Metastasis via Epigenetic Regulation of FGF2-Induced Lymphangiogenesis.

The lymph node is the most common site of distant metastasis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), which elicits dismal prognosis and limited efficiency for treatment. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying CSCC lymphatic metastasis would provide potential therapeutic strategies for nodal metastatic of CSCC. Here, based on in vivo lymphatic metastasis screening model, a circular RNA is identified that is termed as lymph node metastasis associated circRNA (LNMAC), is markedly upregulated in lymphatic metastatic CSCC and correlated with lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of LNMAC dramatically augments the metastatic capability of CSCC cells to the lymph node via inducing lymphangiogenesis. Mechanistically, LNMAC epigenetically upregulates fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression by directly associating with histone acacetylase 1 (HDAC1), preventing Importin α6/8-mediated nuclear translocation of HDAC1 and eliciting histone H3K27ac-induced FGF2 transcriptional activation. Treatment with 3F12E7, an anti-FGF2 monoclonal antibody, effectively inhibits LNMAC-induced CSCC lymphatic metastasis. Taken together, these findings indicate that LNMAC plays a crucial role in FGF2-mediated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis, highlighting that LNMAC might be a therapeutic target for lymph node metastasis in CSCC patients.

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy for osteosarcoma targeting epidermal growth factor receptor

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor, and it possesses high metastatic propensity. Although systemic chemotherapy has improved its prognosis, improvements in survival rates have stalled in recent years. Moreover, the prognosis of patients with metastatic osteosarcoma remains poor. Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a highly selective cancer therapy that induces immunogenic cell death (ICD), and the therapeutic effects spread to distant metastatic sites. Therefore, NIR-PIT could be useful in both primary and metastatic osteosarcoma treatment. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of NIR-PIT targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in osteosarcoma. The cytotoxic effects of NIR-PIT in osteosarcoma cell lines with different EGFR expression levels (MG63; high, Saos-2; low) were evaluated. NIR-PIT–induced cell death was dependent on the EGFR expression level. After NIR-PIT, swelling and bleb formation, the characteristic morphological changes induced by NIR-PIT associated with necrosis caused by the influx of extracellular fluid, were observed. In addition, the release of the ICD markers lactate dehydrogenase and ATP was detected after NIT-PIT. NIR-PIT significantly suppressed tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. This study revealed that NIR-PIT targeting EGFR has therapeutic effects and induces ICD in osteosarcoma; thus, it is potentially a novel therapeutic strategy for primary and metastatic osteosarcoma.

Carcinoma buccal mucosa with cutaneous metastasis: An unusual presentation

Head-and-neck cancer is a common cancer in India. Oral cavity cancer accounts for 50% of all head and neck sites. The most common sites of distant metastasis are the lung, liver, and bone. The incidence of cutaneous metastasis is a very rare site. We report a case of early-stage carcinoma buccal mucosa post-surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy developed skin metastasis shortly after completion of treatment. A 37-year-old female non-smoker, non-alcoholic diagnosed with early-stage carcinoma right buccal mucosa cT1N0M0. She underwent surgery of wide local excision with marginal mandibulectomy and extended supra-omohyoid neck dissection. In post-surgery, the histopathological report was moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, pT2N1Mx. She completed her adjuvant radiotherapy 59.4Gy/33 fractions with six cycles of concurrent chemotherapy cisplatin 40 mg/m2. She developed difficulty in swallowing, increased oral secretions, and thickening over right-sided scar marks shortly after 10 weeks of completion of treatment. Rapidly, she developed multiple cutaneous nodules over both sides of the entire face and neck. Dermal biopsy reveals metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Skin metastasis from head-and-neck malignancy is an uncommon entity and in the early stage, it is very rare. Initially, it is difficult to diagnose as it looks like some disseminated bacterial or fungal infection but we should always keep in mind this entity as cancer can metastasize and present in any atypical forms.

Muscle metastasis from cervical chordoma: a case report.

Chordomas are rare primary bone tumours that commonly occur in the sacrococcygeal and skull base region and have high rates of local recurrence. They have a locally aggressive course and the most common site of distant metastasis is the lung. The aim of this case report is to present the imaging findings of instance of muscle metastasis, a rare occurrence in cervical chordoma.

Incidence of Colorectal Malignancy of a Young Patient in Sylhet M A G Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is already the third leading cause of cancer death in the world, and its incidence is steadily rising in developing nations. Methods: A retrospective analytical study was conducted for newly diagnosed CRC patients treated in the Department of Surgery, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh from January to June 2023. Convenient sampling method was followed to include 150 newly diagnosed young CRC patients registered. The study aimed to determine the burden of CRC among younger adults, and to evaluate its clinicopathological characteristics. Chi-square method was used to analyze the clinic pathological characteristics. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of total 150 newly diagnosed CRC patients. The median age at diagnosis was 54 years and 40 years for overall patients and younger adults respectively. Predominantly male patients were observed in the study population with male to female ratio (M: F) of 1.6:1. Most patients (approximately two third) presented with eastern co- operative oncology group (ECOG) performance status I. Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps was present in two patients, both of which belonged to the younger adults group. Greater than 90% of patients were diagnosed with advanced T stage (T3/T4) and over 80% patients had lymph nodal metastasis at diagnosis findings were age groups. Peritoneal metastasis was significantly higher among younger adults. Distant metastasis was observed in approximately one fourth of total patients, out of which majority (96%) were detected at multiple sites and numbers. Relatively higher number of distant metastasis was observed among younger patients. Common sites of distant metastasis were in the following order; liver&gt; peritoneum&gt; lung&gt; bone&gt; brain&gt; others. Peritoneal metastasis was found to be ..........

Factors Predicting Treatment Adherence in Outpatients with Cancer-Related Edema: Decision Tree Analysis.

This study aimed to determine the combination of factors associated with continuity of care in outpatients with cancer-related edema six months after the initial visit. A total of 101 outpatients were divided into two groups: continuation (n=65) and non-continuation (n=36) groups. Details regarding age, body mass index, sex, affected extremities (upper or lower), site of edema (unilateral or bilateral), International Society of Lymphology (ISL) classification, presence of distant metastasis, and overall score on the lymphedema quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL) were obtained before initial lymphedema care. In this study, we performed a decision tree analysis using a classification and regression tree (CART) to detect the combination of factors associated with the continuity of edema care for cancer-related edema. Significant differences were observed in the site of edema (unilateral or bilateral) and distant metastasis between the two groups. In the decision tree using CART analysis, the factors selected to influence the possibility of continuation were the side of edema as the first layer, and body mass index of 23.0 and distant metastasis (with/without) as the second layer. Outpatients with unilateral edema and a body mass index higher than 23.0 were most likely to be able to continue care. In contrast, outpatients with bilateral edema and distant metastasis had greater difficulty in continuing care. In this study, factors that were suggested to influence the continuity of cancer-related edema care were the side with edema, body mass index higher than 23.0, and distant metastasis. This information may be helpful for developing care strategies and improving patient adherence.

Colorectal Cancer in Patients Younger than 40 years -Analysis of Clinicopathological Profile and Treatment Pattern

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing among young adults. Cancer diagnosis in young adults leads to many challenges due to the impact of the disease on their fertility, career, and life expectancy. In the present study, we investigated the clinicopathological profile of colorectal cancer patients younger than 40 years. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of all the biopsy proven CRC patients were collected over the period of 5 years, from January 2012 to December 2018. Clinicopathological data of patients under the age of 40 years were collected from their medical and pathological reports and analysed. Results: Out of 729 CRC, a total of 154 (21%) patients of colorectal cancer were younger than 40 years were registered during the study period. Among them, with 94 (61%) being male and 60 females (39%). Most of the patients were 30-35 years (37%) and less than 30 years (36%) age group. Adenocarcinoma was present in 97% patients and signet ring cell carcinoma in 3% patients The most common primary site was rectum (57 %), followed by ascending colon (17 %). Most of the patients presented with stage III (64 %) disease. The liver was the most common site of distant metastasis. Conclusion: The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing among young adults. Most patients present in a locally advanced and non-metastatic stage and have the potential for curative treatment. Therefore, early detection by screening at a younger age may improve the survival of younger patients. Long term follow-up of these patients will provide insights on Treatment Outcomes.

Relationship between the combination of platelet count and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and prognosis of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort study.

The relationship between the combination of platelet count and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (COP-NLR) and prognosis in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combination therapy with chemotherapy remains unclear. Thus, we investigated prognostic factors, including the COP-NLR, to identify patients who could benefit from the therapeutic efficacy of ICI combination therapy for advanced NSCLC. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between the COP-NLR score during ICI combination therapy and treatment response. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 88 patients with NSCLC who initially received ICI combination therapy. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The prognostic factors were extracted using the Cox proportional hazards model. The relationship between COP-NLR score at 3 weeks after starting ICI combination therapy and a good response (complete response [CR] and partial response [PR]) to treatment was analyzed using the chi-square test. The median OS was 15.7 months. In the multivariable analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) 2, distant metastatic sites ≥2, and baseline COP-NLR scores of 1, 2 were extracted as significant poor prognostic factors. The proportion of patients with CR and PR in the 3-week COP-NLR score of 0 group was significantly higher than that in scores of 1, 2 group. Baseline COP-NLR, ECOG PS, and number of distant metastatic sites were prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC with ICI combination therapy. A lower 3-week COP-NLR was associated with a good response to treatment.

Clinical characteristics and predisposing factors of lung metastasis in sacral chordoma: a cross-sectional cohort study of 221 cases.

Limited studies are available on the topic of lung metastasis in sacral chordoma. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, associated factors, and prognosis of lung metastasis in sacral chordoma. A total of 221 cases with primary sacral chordoma, all of whom underwent surgical resection at our center, were included in this study. Comprehensive demographic information, imaging findings, and oncological evaluations were collected and thoroughly analyzed. The diagnosis of lung metastasis in the majority of cases was established through radiographic examinations. The prevalence of lung metastasis in the cohort was 19.5%, with the lung emerging as the predominant site of distant metastasis. Recurrent chordoma cases exhibited a significantly higher lung metastasis rate in comparison to newly diagnosed chordoma cases (33.33% and 12.76%, p=0.0005). Patients with lung metastasis had a larger tumor size, a higher proportion of previous sacral chordoma surgeries and a greater likelihood of postoperative recurrence. Associated factors of lung metastasis were tumor size, postoperative recurrence and radiotherapy. Patients with lung metastasis exhibited decreased median overall survival (91 vs. 144 months for those without lung metastasis, p<0.05) and recurrence-free survival (27 vs. 68 months, p<0.001) times. Lung is the most common site of distant metastasis in sacral chordoma with an incidence rate nearly 20%. Larger tumor size and postoperative recurrence are risk factors for lung metastasis while radiotherapy is a protective factor. Occurrence of lung metastasis in sacral chordoma is a negative prognostic factor.

A nomogram and risk stratification system for predicting survival in T1-2N0-1 breast cancer patients with liver metastasis in females: a population-based study

PurposeLiver was one of the most common distant metastatic sites in breast cancer. Patients with distant metastasis were identified as American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IV indicating poor prognosis. However, few studies have predicted the survival in females with T1-2N0-1 breast cancer who developed liver metastasis. This study aimed to explore the clinical features of these patients and establish a nomogram to predict their overall survival.Results1923 patients were randomly divided into training (n = 1154) and validation (n = 769) cohorts. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age, marital status, race, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), chemotherapy, surgery and bone metastasis, brain metastasis were considered the independent prognostic indicators. We developed a nomogram according to these ten parameters. The consistency index (c-index) was 0.72 (95% confidence interval CI 0.70–0.74) in the training cohort, 0.72 (95% CI 0.69–0.74) in the validation cohort. Calibration plots indicated that the nomogram-predicted survival was consistent with the recorded 1-, 3- and 5-year prognoses. Decision curve analysis curves in both the training and validation cohorts demonstrated that the nomogram showed better prediction than the AJCC TNM (8th) staging system. Kaplan Meier curve based on the risk stratification system showed that the low-risk group had a better prognosis than the high-risk group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsA predictive nomogram and risk stratification system were constructed to assess prognosis in T1-2N0-1 breast cancer patients with liver metastasis in females. The risk model established in this study had good predictive performance and could provide personalized clinical decision-making for future clinical work.

Nasopharyngeal Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) despite of an indolent clinical behavior is known to cause locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis. Lung and bone are the common site of distant metastasis. Nasopharynx is a very rare site of metastasis. Methods: Case report Results: A case is discussed in which patient was diagnosed with PTC and had undergone total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection with subsequent radiotherapy. Patient presented with nasopharyngeal metastasis within 3 years of diagnosis. Conclusion: Classic PTC can cause recurrence in the form of metastasis in distant rare sites including nasopharynx. It is necessary to keep patients in regular frequent follow-up after initial management especially when associated with high risk factors.

Larotrectinib efficacy for liver metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma patient harboring SQSTM1–NTRK1 fusion

BackgroundPooled data analysis from three phase I/II larotrectinib clinical trials revealed that larotrectinib demonstrated rapid and durable disease control and a favorable safety profile for patients with neurotrophic-tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion positive thyroid carcinoma. Herein, we report the case of a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and liver metastases who demonstrated a durable response to treatment with larotrectinib.Case presentationA 50-year-old female with PTC was referred to our hospital for postoperative observation. Computed tomography (CT) scan was performed to screen for distant metastasis, since thyroglobulin concentration increased gradually, and revealed multiple distant metastases, including multiple liver metastases. Radioactive iodine was administered at a dose of 100 mCi. However, uptake was observed only in the thyroid bed, and distant metastases had no avidity. As liver metastases progressed, lenvatinib (24 mg/day) was initiated after confirmation of liver metastases by liver biopsy 9 years and 1 month after the initial referral to our hospital. Since the multiple metastases became refractory for lenvatinib, the OncoGuide™ NCC Oncopanel System was performed, and the SQSTM1–NTRK1 gene fusion was confirmed. Larotrectinib was subsequently administered at a dose of 200 mg/day. The CT before the initiation of larotrectinib showed multiple liver metastases with a maximum diameter of 48 mm. The first CT evaluation at 1 month after the initiation of larotrectinib treatment showed that the tumor volume was reduced by 28% in the RECIST 1.1 criteria. After 3 months of larotrectinib treatment, a 38% reduction in the tumor volume was achieved as the best clinical response. The only side effect was grade 1 myalgia. At 12 months after the initiation of larotrectinib treatment, none of the lesions had progressed.ConclusionsIn conclusion, larotrectinib demonstrated effective antitumor activity against liver metastases of PTC, a relatively rare site of distant metastasis. Furthermore, the efficacy of larotrectinib was maintained, even though the patient had a history of multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment and a relatively infrequent fusion gene, SQSTM1–NTRK1.

Metastatic onset of prostate carcinoma: A clinical and pathological challenge.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer, following lung cancer, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. The onset of the disease, characterized by symptoms or changes caused by distant metastases, is rare and poses a challenge for clinicians and pathologists. We aimed to present a series of prostate carcinoma (PC) with unusual, histologically confirmed distant metastases (pM1) at the time of diagnosis, which raised suspicions of other types or origins of the primary tumor. Patients diagnosed with PC and distant metastases within a five-year timeframe (2017-2022) were extracted from the hospital database. The following data were collected: patient's age, imaging data, serum PSA level, and histopathological evaluation results. Patients with unusual distant metastases were selected and analyzed. We identified 10 patients in whom the diagnosis of PC was established following histopathological examination of tissue taken from distant metastatic sites (pM1). In three patients, the location of distant metastases was unusual: retroperitoneal, cranial/dural/epicranial and supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes which posed diagnostic challenges. Establishing the prostate origin of the tumor relied on immunohistochemical (IHC) investigation guided by clinical-imaging information. A metastasis of PC may rarely present as a cranial/dural tumor, retroperitoneal, or supradiaphragmatic lymphadenopathies in a man over the age of 50, but it should be taken into consideration. In the absence of correlated clinical, imaging, and histopathological/IHC data, diagnosing distant metastasis from PC is difficult, especially considering its potentially confusing IHC profile.

Survival Prognostication in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and Distant Metastases: A SEER Population-Based Study.

Background: For patients with thyroid cancer, distant metastasis is a significant predictor of poor outcome. Since distant metastasis occurs in less than 10% of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, correlates of survival in this vulnerable patient population remain understudied. This study aimed to identify prognostic groups among patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and distant metastases and to determine the role of, and interactions between, patient and tumor characteristics in determining survival. Methods: We identified adult patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases from the U.S. SEER-17 cancer registry (2010-2019). Analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression, survival trees, and random survival forest. Relative importance of patient and tumor factors important for disease-specific and overall survival was assessed based on the random survival forest analyses. Results: Cohort consisted of 2411 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases followed for a median of 62 months. Most common histopathologic subtype (86.0%) was papillary thyroid cancer, and the most common sites of distant metastasis were the lungs (33.7%) and bone (18.9%). Cox proportional hazards model illustrated significant associations between survival and the following: patient age (p < 0.001), tumor size (p < 0.01), and site of distant metastasis (p < 0.05). Survival tree analyses identified three distinct prognostic groups based on disease-specific survival (DSS) (5-year survival of the prognostic groups was 92%, 64%, and 41%; p < 0.001) and four distinct prognostic groups based on overall survival (OS) (5-year survival of the prognostic groups was 96%, 84%, 57%, and 31%; p < 0.001). The first split in the survival trees for DSS and OS was by age at diagnosis (≤57 years vs. ≥58 years) with subsequent splits based on presence/absence of lung metastases, tumor size (≤4 cm vs. >4 cm), and patient age. A total of 558 patients (23.1%) died from thyroid cancer, and 757 patients (31.4%) died from all causes during the study period. Conclusions: This study identifies distinct prognostic groups for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases and highlights the importance of patient age, lung metastases, and tumor size for determining both disease-specific and overall survival. These findings inform risk stratification and treatment decision-making in this understudied patient population.

Evolution and current trends in the management of colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a major cause of cancer-related death, with a 5-year relative overall survival of up to 20%. The liver is the most common site of distant metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), with about 50% of CRC patients metastasizing to their liver over the course of their disease. Complete liver resection is the primary modality of treatment for resectable colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), with an overall 5-year survival rate of up to 58%. However, only 15% to 20% of patients with CRLM are deemed suitable for resection at presentation. For unresectable diseases, the median survival of patients remains low even with the best chemotherapy. In recent decades, the management of CRLM has continued to evolve with the expansion of resection criteria, novel targeted systemic therapies, and improved locoregional therapies. However, due to the heterogeneity of the CRC patient population, the optimal evaluation of treatment options for CRLM remains complex. Therefore, effective management requires a multidisciplinary team to help define resectability and devise a personalized treatment approach, from the initial diagnosis to the final treatment.