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Introduction: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary malignant bone and cartilage tumour. Because of the remarkable developments in technology, remarkable progress has been made in the medical field regarding the diagnosis and management of OS patients. The aim of the study is to describe the clinical and pathological profile of paediatric patients with osteosarcoma and to identify potential prognostic factors for an unfavourable outcome in our country. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all children and adolescents with musculoskeletal tumours diagnosed and treated at our tertiary Orthopaedic Department for a period of 10 years. Results: A group of 65 children and adolescents with osteosarcoma who benefited from diagnosis, neoadjuvant, adjuvant and surgical treatment in the Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children "Sfânta Maria" Iasi, România, was analysed. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 12.9 years. The analysis revealed a higher frequency for male patients in the case of femur and tibia locations and a significantly higher frequency of osteosarcoma in the scapula and clavicle in female patients, while OS in the humerus was found only in male patients (χ2 = 19.46, p = 0.0149). The most frequent histopathological subtype was osteoblastic osteosarcoma, but there was no significant correlation with the gender or the age of the patients (χ2 = 0.73, p = 0.863 and χ2 = 0.843, p = 0.839). The results indicated instead a significantly (p = 0.0185) lower age values of patients with undifferentiated osteosarcomas, the average age being 9.4 years ± 2.1 SD. After performing a multivariate logistic regression analysis for the risk of death based on clinical parameters, we found that high tumoural grading increases the risk of death 2.8 times, pleomorphic histological subtype increases the risk of death 3.5 times, and stage IV TNM increases this risk 5.9 times. Conclusions: For the north-eastern geographical part of Romania, the epidemiological and clinical profile of a child with osteosarcoma is a 13-year-old boy with a femoral or tibia tumour or a 12-year-old girl with a femoral, tibia, scapula or clavicle tumour, both coming from a rural area. The tumour has around 12 cm diameter and is a differentiated osteoblastic osteosarcoma. The survival rate at 10 years is 63%. Tumour grading, histological subtype and TNM staging significantly influence the probability of death and could be important prognostic parameters for patients with osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In cancer, age and sex are often studied individually, but the impact of the intersection of these factors on cancer incidence and survival remains unclear. Using the most up-to-date data, we provide an up-to-date analysis of the impact of sex and age on cancer incidence and survival. Using population-based data from the United States Cancer Statistics public use research database and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries Survival database, we assessed sex and age differences in the incidence and survival of cancers diagnosed from 2001 to 2020. Results demonstrate significant age and sex differences in cancer incidence and survival across the US from 2001 to 2020. Males had a higher cancer incidence compared to females, with notable exceptions for younger age groups among certain types, suggesting age may be a critical component in further understanding the biology of sex differences in cancer. Background: In cancer, age and sex are often studied individually, but the impact of the intersection of these factors on cancer incidence and survival remains unclear. Using population-level data, we provide an up-to-date analysis of the impact of sex and age on cancer incidence and survival. Methods: Using data from the United States Cancer Statistics public use research database and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries Survival database, we assessed sex and age differences in the incidence and survival of malignant cancers diagnosed from 2001 to 2020. Results: Males experienced higher cancer incidence than females in all sites and age groups, excluding 20–29- and 30–39-year-olds. The highest Male-to-female (M:F) age-adjusted incidence rates (IRR) were observed in mesothelioma within ages 80+ (IRR: 5.48; 95% CI: 5.25–5.71; p < 0.001), and lowest in endocrine cancer within ages 20–29 years (M:F IRR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.20–0.21; p < 0.001). Among all sites and age groups, excluding 0–9 years, males experienced worse survival than females, particularly within ages 20–29 years (Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.19; 95% CI: 2.15–2.23; p < 0.001). Highest M:F HRs were observed in endocrine system cancers within ages 20–29 (HR: 3.52; 95% CI: 3.15–3.94; p < 0.001), and lowest among lymphomas within ages 0–9 (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.63–0.87; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Significant age and sex differences in cancer incidence and survival were observed across the US from 2001 to 2020. Males had a higher cancer incidence compared to females, with notable exceptions for younger age groups among certain types, suggesting age may be a critical component in further understanding the biology of sex differences in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Both hyperandrogenism (HA) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can separately lead to impaired vascular reactivity and ovulatory dysfunction in fertile females. The aim was to examine the early interactions of these states in a rat model of PCOS. Methods: Four-week-old adolescent female rats were divided into four groups: vitamin D (VD)-supplemented (n = 12); VD-supplemented and testosterone-treated (n = 12); VDD- (n = 11) and VDD-and-testosterone-treated (n = 11). Animals underwent transdermal testosterone treatment for 8 weeks. Target VD levels were achieved with oral VD supplementation and a VD-free diet. Estrous cycles were followed by vaginal smear, and quantitative histomorphometric measurements of the ovaries were also taken. In the 8th week, testosterone- and estrogen-induced relaxation of coronary arterioles was examined with pressure angiography. Estrogen receptor (ER) density and oxidative and nitrative stress parameters (Poly-(ADP-Ribose)-Polymerase and 3-nitrotyrosine) in the vessel wall were investigated with immunohistochemistry. Results: VDD caused impaired estrous cycles, and testosterone caused anovulatory cycles (the cycles were stopped at the diestrous phase). VDD combined with testosterone treatment resulted in reduced testosterone and estrogen vasorelaxation, lower ER density, and higher oxidative and nitrative stress in the vessel wall. Conclusions: PCOS with vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased oxidative–nitrative stress in coronary arterioles. This oxidative and nitrative stress, potentially caused by hyperandrogenism and/or vitamin D deficiency, could impair estrogen-induced relaxation of the coronary arterioles, possibly by decreasing NO bioavailability and disrupting the estrogen-induced relaxation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of kidney cancer, contributing to an estimated 138,000 deaths globally in 2017. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are generally considered ineffective. Additionally, CD47 has been identified as a crucial tumor antigen involved in the development and progression of various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma. The interaction of CD47 with SIRPα triggers a "don't eat me" signal to the macrophages, inhibiting phagocytosis. Much progress has been made in targeting CD47 for cancer immunotherapy in solid tumors (STs) and hematological malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate CD47 expression in malignant and benign renal cell tumors and compare it with prognostic histopathological parameters. Methods: We included 160 malignant and 26 benign tumors. The malignant tumors consisted of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes including 37 clear cell, 30 chromophobe, 30 papillary type 1, 29 papillary type 2, and 34 unclassified RCC cases. As for the benign tumors, we included 26 oncocytoma cases. All samples were stained with anti-CD47 antibodies by immunohistochemistry methods. Results: The statistical analysis yielded a significant correlation between CD47 expression and survival, metastasis, and capsule invasion for the unclassified RCC cases. We did not find any further significant correlation between CD47 expression and the studied parameters. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to research CD47 expression in benign and malignant renal carcinoma subtypes. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine the expression profile of CD47 in renal cell tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal cancer is a major public health issue, yet risk factors for its occurrence are still insufficiently known. This study aimed to estimate the global burden of esophageal cancer and its risk factors. Methods: This ecological study presented the incidence, mortality, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of esophageal cancer in the world. This study collected the Global Burden of Disease study data from 1990 to 2019. Trends in esophageal cancer burden were assessed using the joinpoint regression analysis and calculating the average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: Globally, in 2019, in both sexes and all ages, the ASR for the incidence of esophageal cancer was 6.5 per 100,000 and for mortality, 6.1 per 100,000. The global proportion of DALYs for esophageal cancer attributable to selected behavioral, metabolic, and dietary risk factors was similar in males and females: chewing tobacco (3.8% vs. 5.1%), diet low in fruits (10.1% vs. 12.6%), diet low in vegetables (3.3% vs. 4.6%), and high body mass index (18.8% vs. 19.3%). However, the proportion of DALYs for esophageal cancer attributable to smoking and alcohol use was 4–5 times higher in males than in females (50.1% vs. 11.3%, and 29.6% vs. 5.1%, respectively). From 1990 to 2019, a significant decrease in global trends in rates of DALYs for esophageal cancer attributable to smoking (AAPC = −1.6%), chewing tobacco (AAPC = −0.5%), alcohol use (AAPC = −1.0%), a diet low in fruits (AAPC = −3.1%), and a diet low in vegetables (AAPC = −3.6%) was observed, while a significant increase in trends was observed in DALYs rates for esophageal cancer attributable to a high body mass index (AAPC = +0.4%). Conclusions: More epidemiological research is needed to elucidate the relationship between esophageal cancer and certain risk factors and guide prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women carrying pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in moderate- or high-penetrance genes have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, most P/LP variants associated with breast cancer risk show incomplete penetrance. Age, gender, family history, polygenic risk, lifestyle, reproductive, hormonal, and environmental factors can affect the expressivity and penetrance of the disease. However, there are gaps in translating how individual genomic variation affects phenotypic presentation. The expansion of criteria for genetic testing and the increasing utilization of comprehensive genetic panels may enhance the identification of individuals carrying P/LP variants linked to hereditary breast cancer. Individualized risk assessment could facilitate the implementation of personalized risk-reduction strategies for these individuals. Preventive interventions encompass lifestyle modifications, chemoprevention, enhanced surveillance through breast imaging, and risk-reducing surgeries. This review addresses the current literature's inconsistencies and limitations, particularly regarding risk factors and the intensity of preventive strategies for women with P/LP variants in moderate- and high-penetrance genes. In addition, it synthesizes the latest evidence on risk assessment and primary and secondary prevention in women at high risk of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is regarded as "the point of no return" in the gastric cancerogenesis sequence. Helicobacter pylori infection remains the leading etiologic factor for non-cardia gastric cancer in adults. On the other hand, the causes and evolution of GIM in children remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of GIM once children reached adulthood, after a mean follow-up of a decade between both esophagogastroduodenoscopies with gastric sampling. Furthermore, the results of our study provide valuable insights into the risk factors and surveillance considerations of GIM, diagnosed in children. The results suggest the possibility of discontinuing surveillance for limited complete-type GIM diagnosed in childhood, in patients without additional risk factors for gastric adenocarcinoma. Background/Objectives: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is considered an irreversible preneoplastic precursor for gastric adenocarcinoma in adults. However, its significance in children and the long-term outcome remain poorly understood. Methods: All children diagnosed with GIM between 2000 and 2020 were identified at a large tertiary referral centre. Upon reaching adulthood (≥18 years), the patients were invited to undergo follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (using narrow-band imaging additionally to high-definition white light endoscopy), with gastric biopsies obtained according to the updated Sydney protocol. Childhood and adulthood gastric biopsies were re-evaluated by two experienced gastrointestinal pathologists using Kreyberg staining. Results: Paediatric GIM was diagnosed in 178/14,409 (1.2%) esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed during the study period. Fifty adult patients with childhood GIM agreed to participate in the study. The mean age at childhood and adulthood endoscopies were 14.3 years (median 15) and 25.2 years (median 24), respectively. The mean follow-up interval was 10.5 years. All childhood GIM cases were classified as complete-type. Notably, GIM completely resolved in 41/50 of patients (82%) by the time of adulthood follow-up. No dysplasia or carcinoma was detected in any patient. Childhood Helicobacter pylori infection, similar to other evaluated host-related factors, was not significantly associated with the persistence of GIM into adulthood (11.2% vs. 29.3%, p = 0.41). Conclusions: Childhood GIM was a rare finding but demonstrated a high rate of reversibility by adulthood regardless of Helicobacter pylori status, with no cases of dysplasia or carcinoma observed during long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common tumor and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It ranks fourth in the spectrum of malignant tumor incidence and second in the order of death from major malignant tumors in China. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a complex ecosystem containing non-tumor cells (mainly immune-related cells), and its immunotherapy can stimulate the recognition of specific tumor antigens, inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and produce over-memory lymphocytes, which can prevent recurrence. So, immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasingly becoming a research hotspot in liver cancer treatment. With the intensive research in recent years, great progress has been made in immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, pericyte therapy, vaccination, and antiviral therapy. In addition, the study found that the therapeutic effect of combination therapy was enhanced compared to monotherapy. This review summarizes the most prominent immunotherapies currently available for the clinical treatment of patients with HCC and the main opportunities and challenges facing HCC research., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Malignant tumors of the head and neck are rare in children, but it is important to know these lesions and identify them early in order to have a good outcome for these patients. Benign lesions of the head and neck are much more frequent and have an excellent prognosis. For this reason, it is necessary to recognize the warning signs and symptoms and understand when to refer the patient to a reference center for the treatment of these pathologies. The clinical presentation of both benign and malignant lesions in children may be similar as usually, both categories have compressive effects. This confirms the fact that the clinical diagnosis is not sufficient and always requires instrumental investigations and biopsies. In this narrative review, we analyzed both malignant lesions such as lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, thyroid tumors, salivary gland tumors, neuroblastoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and benign ones such as cystic dermoid teratoma, hemangioma, juvenile angiofibroma and fibrosis dysplasia. Indeed, we set out to discuss the most common lesions of this site by evaluating their characteristics to highlight the differentiation of malignant tumors from benign lesions and their correct clinical-therapeutic management. A literature search was carried out in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify all narrative reviews addressing malignant and benign head and neck tumors of the pediatric age. In conclusion, the care of children affected by head and neck benign lesions and malignancy must be combined and multidisciplinary. It is essential to recognize the diseases early in order to differentiate and intervene as soon as possible for the correct clinical-therapeutic management., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)