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Anxiety and depression are common in prostate cancer (PCa) patients and negatively impact the quality of life, treatment outcome, survival and overall well-being, thus, requiring interventions to meet the psychosocial needs of PCa patients across treatment stages. However, there is not enough information to guide the design of these interventions, as there are still areas of lack of clarity regarding the prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression in PCa patients. Therefore, this review was conducted to examine the literature to identify the overall prevalence of anxiety and depression across treatment stages in PCa patients and to identify the predictors of anxiety and depression in this population. A literature search was conducted from the Cochrane library, Ovid Medline and APA PsycINFO databases. Eighteen eligible studies were included in the final review. The findings were analysed using a narrative synthesis. The study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was found to be between 6% to 44.8% and 10% to 48%, respectively. Notably, the prevalence of depression was higher in the post-treatment phase than in the treatment phase. Finally, the result demonstrates that socio-economic/demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors determine patients' predisposition to anxiety and depression. These demonstrate that the prevalence of anxiety and depression is high across the PCa disease trajectory and that some patients are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than others. Therefore, we recommend periodic assessment to identify at risk patients and those with clinically significant or worsening levels of anxiety and depression for timely interventions to mitigate the risks or ameliorate the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Introduction: Delays in the treatment of cervical cancer may be associated with lower survival rates and a higher risk of disease progression. In low- and middle-income countries, the functioning of health systems may exacerbate this problem.

Objective: To determine whether the initial point of care led to delays in the treatment of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in Quito between 2012 and 2015, and to assess its impact on survival.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyse the survival of patients with cervical cancer treated at the SOLCA Quito Hospital. Patients were classified according to their initial point of contact (Group 1: initial care in the public health system with subsequent referral to SOLCA. Group 2: comprehensive care at SOLCA) and in relation to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 clinical staging at the time of diagnosis. The time to treatment initiation was compared using the Student's t-test. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, estimating the probability of survival over time for both groups, stratified by clinical stage and performing an overall comparison of groups. In addition, the log-rank test was used to compare both survival curves and determine statistical significance using a significant value of p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 1,363 cases were analysed. Group 1 had a mean waiting time of 162 days, while in group 2 it was 62 days to start treatment (p < 0.01). In terms of survival, group 2 versus 1 had a hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-1). In terms of subgroups, the results favoured Group 2 in stages III and IV, the latter with an HR of 0.48 (95% confidence interval: 0.37-0.63) p < 0.01.

Conclusions: Delays in the referral of cervical cancer patients from the public system led to delays in the start of treatment, affecting survival in patients with more advanced stages. Significant disparities in access to care highlight the need for future research aimed at identifying the causes of these delays and proposing possible interventions.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health issue, ranking fourth in incidence and third in cancer-related deaths. In 2022, it was most prevalent in Asia, Europe and North America. Although rates in Latin America, including Mexico, are lower, they still represent a substantial public health concern. However, CRC data in Mexico are limited and outdated.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the incidence trends of CRC in a secondary-level hospital in Mexico from 2011 to 2023.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 819 individuals with CRC at Regional General Hospital 251 (Mexican Social Security Institute) in Metepec, Mexico. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants and stratified by sex, age group, tumour site and body mass index. Trend analysis was performed using Joinpoint regression models to estimate annual percent change (APC).

Results: CRC incidence showed a significant upward trend (APC = 8.81%; p = 0.01) from 2011 to 2023. A one-joinpoint model revealed an increase from 2011 to 2021 (APC = 17.90%; < 0.01), followed by a sharp decrease from 2021 to 2023 (APC = -41.34%; p = 0.03). Males had slightly higher incidence rates than females; the ≥50 age group showed the highest burden. Over half of the individuals were diagnosed at advanced stages (III-IV), with similar trends observed across the sexes.

Conclusion: CRC incidence increased significantly over the last decade, with a recent drop likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some limitations, this is the first study of CRC trends at a secondary-level hospital in Mexico that underscores the need for enhanced screening and timely diagnosis strategies.

Purpose: Evaluating cancer patients' social media use is crucial for understanding their preferences, needs and health behaviours. This study examined social media use in health management and analysed influencing factors using the Health Belief Model (HBM).

Methods: A descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2024 at hospitals affiliated with Urmia University of Medical Sciences. A total of 204 cancer patients who actively used social media participated. Data were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses (SPSS v16) were applied to examine HBM constructs and their predictors.

Results: The mean age of participants was 54 years; 54% were male and 46% female. Overall, 38% used social media for healthcare purposes. Perceptions across the HBM constructs were moderate to high. Cues to action had the highest mean score at 3.19 standard deviation (SD = 0.546), followed by perceived benefits (M = 3.13, SD = 0.429) and self-efficacy (M = 3.11, SD = 0.677). Age significantly negatively predicted self-efficacy (B = -0.223, β = -0.474, p < 0.001), perceived benefits (B = -0.144, β = -0.485, p < 0.001) and cues to action (B = -0.112, β = -0.296, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings highlight the multifaceted role of social networks in cancer patient healthcare. Moderate HBM scores indicate the need for tailored digital interventions to strengthen perceived benefits, self-efficacy and responsiveness to cues to action, ultimately fostering patient-centred care and informed health decisions.

Epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutations (EGFRex20ins) are a unique molecular subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) linked to resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the first and second generations. Until recently, these patients had few and frequently ineffective treatment options. Amivantamab, a bispecific antibody targeting both EGFR and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor, has become a novel therapeutic strategy for this population. This review explores the mechanism of action of Amivantamab and its clinical efficacy and safety as demonstrated in clinical trials. Additionally, the clinical development of the subcutaneous formulation of amivantamab, real-world evidence and its regulatory status were evaluated. Lastly, we contextualise Amivantamab in the current treatment landscape by contrasting it with mobocertinib and highlighting current studies that aim to improve central nervous system activity and overcome resistance mechanisms. This review highlights the therapeutic benefit of Amivantamab in EGFRex20ins-mutated NSCLC and offers guidance for future research in this quickly developing area.

The 'Pancreatic Cancer' conference, held on 8 November 2024, at the San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital in Salerno, Italy, brought together leading experts in pancreatic surgery and oncology. The event aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with particular focus on advanced surgical strategies. Topics included neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical planning and techniques (open, laparoscopic, robotic), complex resections and management of postoperative complications. The conference was accredited by the National Continuing Medical Education Program and integrated into the regional 'Campania Pancreas' initiative. Featuring national and international speakers, including a keynote lecture by Prof. C.R. Ferrone from Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, the meeting served as a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in pancreatic cancer care.

Purpose: Biomarkers for tailoring treatment in neoadjuvant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are needed. We hypothesize that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can predict long-term outcomes in this population.

Methods: We reviewed our institutional database to identify patients with clinical stages II-III TNBC who underwent NACT from 2012 to 2024 and retrospectively collected data from medical records. We calculated event-free survival (EFS) from the date of NACT initiation until death, disease recurrence or disease progression that precluded surgery; we calculated overall survival (OS) from the date of NACT initiation until death. Survival estimates were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log rank test. The Cox regression model was used to calculate hazard ratios.

Results: A total of 692 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 63.3% had stage III disease, 60.8% had grade 3 tumours and 77.2% had a Ki-67 >50%. The most common NACT regimen used was anthracycline and taxane-based (96.8%). The overall pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 27.7%. After median follow-up of 59.6 months, NLR >2 was associated with poorer EFS (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.33-2.18, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.34-2.31, p < 0.001). The results maintained statistical significance after adjusting for age, ki67, clinical stage and pCR status (p = 0.002).

Conclusion: NLR predicts long-term survival after NACT in TNBC and, as a readily and inexpensive information, should be further studied in current approaches of chemoimmunotherapy.

Objective: This study aimed to compare lung cancer incidence, hospitalisation and mortality rates among municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul from 2000 to 2021 based on estimated radon gas exposure.

Methods: An ecological time series study was conducted using data from the Brazilian Geological Survey and the Ministry of Health. Geoprocessing techniques and Prais-Winsten regression were employed for data analysis.

Results: No statistically significant differences were found in average outcome rates across the study period when grouped by radon exposure probability. Municipalities with higher exposure probabilities showed an increasing trend in lung cancer incidence and hospitalisation rates, while mortality remained stable. Additionally, hospitalisation rates increased in municipalities with lower exposure probabilities.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the methodological challenges of investigating the association between gases and cancer etiology.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become increasingly integrated into Paediatric Surgical Oncology (PSO), offering benefits such as faster recovery, reduced postoperative pain, earlier resumption of adjuvant therapy, lower blood loss and improved cosmetic outcomes. Despite these advantages, the safe application of MIS in oncology requires strict adherence to oncological principles to avoid complications such as tumour spillage, incomplete resections and staging errors, which may compromise survival outcomes. This article reviews the general principles, indications and contraindications for MIS in paediatric oncology, highlighting tumour- and histology-specific considerations. Commonly accepted MIS applications include selected cases of neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour following neoadjuvant therapy under SIOP protocols, thoracoscopic lung metastasectomy and resection of certain mediastinal, hepatic and adnexal masses. Contraindications include large or fragile tumours, high-risk neuroblastomas with vascular encasement and situations where surgeon experience or resources are insufficient. Technical aspects, patient selection and multidisciplinary coordination are emphasised as key to ensuring safety and efficacy. Establishing MIS guidelines in PSO may aid surgeons in decision-making and promote consistent standards of care.

The role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for ovarian neoplasms in paediatric patients depends on multiple factors. First, it is important to consider the risk of malignancy, which can be difficult to assess, especially in the setting of torsion. Second, when possible ovarian sparing surgery (OSS) should be performed. In certain settings MIS to perform OSS may carry a higher risk of tumour or cyst spillage. MIS can also play a role in diagnosis, via staging or biopsy. When performed, MIS can offer improved visualization of the contralateral ovary and other abdominal structures. Overall, MIS for ovarian neoplasms offers improved visualization of pelvic structures and decreased risk of adhesions in addition to the traditional benefits of MIS. However, these advantages should not supersede the need to achieve complete oncologic resection and to minimize the risk of capsule rupture.