This review systematically evaluates the published literature on multiple fibroadenomas (MFAs) of the breast, focusing on clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies. A systematic search of PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Embase from 1948 to June 2025 was conducted using a Boolean search strategy following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Of the 409 studies initially screened, 43 met the inclusion criteria. The level of evidence was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines, and 72% were found to be of Levels 4 and 5. MFA most commonly affects adolescents. Bilateral involvement was observed in 64.6% of patients, and more than 10 lesions were present in 52% of cases. Risk factors included hormonal contraceptive use, family history, and cyclosporine therapy. Ultrasonography was the most common diagnostic tool, followed by MRI and FNAC. Treatment was mainly surgical, with recurrence noted in 15.4% of patients. There was no evidence to suggest that the risk of cancer in MFA was greater than that of solitary FA. The review highlights inconsistencies in MFA definitions and calls for consensus on diagnostic criteria, prospective research, and the creation of standardized treatment algorithms to improve care and outcomes for this particularly distressing subset of benign breast diseases.

In younger, fit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), intensive chemotherapy (IC) followed by consolidation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard approach. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate younger patients with AML treated with hypomethylating agents (HMA) plus venetoclax.

Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a highly prevalent malignancy of the digestive tract. The close association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and CAC makes inhibiting this carcinogenic transformation a critical preventive goal. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories of "dampness-heat stasis" and "latent pathogen-induced deficiency", this review systematically explores the pathological process of ulcerative colitis associated carcinogenesis (UCAC) and its interpretation in TCM. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in CNKI and PubMed databases (2020-2025), systematically analyzing about 79 relevant studies to summarize the clinical applications of TCM in preventing and treating UCAC progression, including oral and topical herbal therapies, as well as non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture. Furthermore, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms of TCM interventions in UCAC, with a focus on gut microbiota modulation and key inflammatory signaling pathways (eg, NF-κB, IL-6/JAK2/STAT3), offering new translational perspectives. The novelty of this review is twofold: firstly, it provides the first systematic synthesis of research progress on therapeutic methods, encompassing oral and topical herbal formulations as well as acupuncture, and molecular mechanisms of TCM for UCAC. Secondly, it advances the field by analyzing TCM theories through the lens of modern medicine, comparing TCM's holistic approach with Western medicine's targeted paradigm, and proposing an integrated "gut microbiota-metabolite-target" research framework. This framework aims to furnish a theoretical foundation for both the modernization of TCM and the development of combined therapeutic strategies that leverage the strengths of both medical systems.

Background and Objectives: Melanoma is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy with a high recurrence rate even after complete resection. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), assessing tumour burden, and predicting recurrence. This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of ctDNA analysis in determining completeness of melanoma resection and disease staging. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed and Web of Science for studies published between January 2017 and February 2025. Eligible studies assessed ctDNA before, during, or after melanoma resection to evaluate surgical completeness and staging. Studies without perioperative ctDNA assessment or which focused solely on immunotherapy efficacy were excluded. Results: Fourteen studies with 1077 patients met the inclusion criteria. Preoperative ctDNA detection correlated with advanced stage, greater tumour burden, and poorer survival. Postoperative ctDNA persistence was strongly associated with recurrence, often detectable months before clinical relapse. In most patients remaining disease-free, ctDNA cleared within weeks after surgery. ctDNA levels reflected metastatic spread, though sensitivity was lower for brain lesions. Across studies, undetectable postoperative ctDNA was consistently linked to longer recurrence-free survival. Conclusions: Perioperative ctDNA analysis shows promise as a prognostic biomarker for detecting residual disease and anticipating relapse in melanoma. However, heterogeneity in patient cohorts, study design, and ctDNA detection methods limits immediate clinical application. Large, standardized prospective trials are needed to validate ctDNA for perioperative management.

Prostate cancer (PCa) progression is critically driven by androgen receptor (AR) signaling, which integrates hormonal cues with metabolic programs supporting tumor growth, survival, and therapy resistance. Emerging evidence suggests that intermittent fasting (IF) and related dietary interventions-such as time-restricted eating (TRE), alternate-day fasting (ADF), and fasting-mimicking diet (FMD)-modulate systemic metabolism, including reductions in insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and induce intracellular nutrient stress that can influence AR activity, splice variant expression (e.g., AR-V7), and downstream metabolic pathways. This systematic literature review (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science; publications up to December 2025; search terms: "prostate cancer," "androgen receptor," "AR splice variants," "intermittent fasting," "fasting mimicking diet", "metabolism," "therapy resistance") summarizes preclinical and clinical studies addressing the impact of IF on AR signaling, lipogenesis, mitochondrial function, redox homeostasis, and therapy response. Preclinical studies indicate that IF can reduce AR expression, impair nuclear translocation, modulate AR splice variants such as AR-V7 via nutrient-sensitive splicing mechanisms, and enhance sensitivity to androgen deprivation therapy and AR-targeted agents. Mechanistically, IF-induced metabolic stress engages AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and sirtuin pathways, alters lipid and mitochondrial metabolism, and transiently increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), creating vulnerabilities in prostate tumor cells. Translational evidence suggests potential benefits of integrating IF with standard therapy, but effects may depend on fasting regimen, caloric intake, macronutrient composition, and patient metabolic context, including risk of lean mass loss. This review highlights the metabolic crosstalk between IF and AR signaling and emphasizes the need for future clinical studies incorporating biomarker-guided approaches and body composition monitoring to fully exploit this intersection for improved therapeutic outcomes in prostate cancer.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy represents a promising frontier in oncology, but its application to high-grade gliomas (HGG) is challenged by the blood-brain barrier, limited efficacy, and significant toxicities associated with systemic administration. Locoregional delivery has the potential to address these shortcomings. This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of locoregional vs systemic CAR-T cell delivery for HGG.

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is uncommon but increasingly encountered as more women delay childbearing. Its prognostic impact remains controversial, particularly for cancers diagnosed in the early postpartum period. We aimed to synthesize contemporary evidence on the prognosis of breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months after delivery compared with breast cancer in other young women, with a specific focus on differences between pregnancy time and postpartum disease.

Schwannomas originating from the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve (DMBUN) are exceptionally rare, presenting with variable and often heterogeneous clinical manifestations depending on their precise anatomical location. While these tumors have been described in the literature, reports specifically involving the DMBUN are exceedingly limited, rendering postoperative prognostication challenging. This study aims to systematically review the existing literature and present a novel case, with the objective of delineating anatomical characteristics and clarifying potential postoperative outcomes.

Exercise has emerged as a fundamental therapeutic medicine in the management of cancer and is associated with a lower risk of recurrence and increased survival. A growing body of evidence has emerged on the acute effects of a single bout of exercise as well as chronic effects in suppressing growth of different cancer cell lines. The purpose of this review was to systematically examine the acute effects of exercise-conditioned serum and determine the impact of chronic exercise-conditioned serum on cancer cells in vitro. A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost), and Web of Science from inception to July 2024. Eligible studies examining the effects of acute and chronic exercise training on cancer cells in vitro were included. Fourteen studies met the eligibility criteria (n = 423). Acute exercise-conditioned serum has inhibitory effects on different cancer cell lines in vitro, when performed at moderate to high intensity, regardless of the training mode. For the chronic effects of exercise-conditioned serum the findings were mixed with some studies showing cancer-suppressive effects, while others reported no impact. Evidence suggests that acute exercise-conditioned serum can inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro, including breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers. However, chronic effects are inconsistent, with some studies showing cancer-suppressive effects on breast and prostate cancer cells, while others show no change. Limitations of the studies should be considered, and additional research is necessary to determine the role of exercise prescription specifics such as mode and volume/intensity.

Although various techniques are available for diagnosing lung cancer (LC), comprehensive literature synthesis for selecting the most appropriate diagnostic method remains lacking. This study aims to synthesize and meta-analyze the diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy and transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) in LC diagnosis.

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) has emerged as a potential prognostic biomarker in endometrial cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence of L1CAM expression across molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer and its prognostic significance for survival outcomes.

Gastric cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with locally advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma posing significant therapeutic challenges. Neoadjuvant therapy has emerged as a critical strategy to improve surgical outcomes and long-term survival by reducing tumor burden and eradicating micrometastases. This systematic review integrates evidence from more than 100 clinical trials and 20 meta-analyses published in recent years. It focuses on new advances in neoadjuvant therapies for gastric cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, while highlighting emerging combination strategies and unresolved clinical dilemmas.

Lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) are melanoma subtypes associated with chronic photoexposure, often located on areas such as the face and neck. Early diagnosis of these lesions is challenging due to their similarity to other benign conditions. Non-invasive methods, such as visual inspection, dermoscopy (DMT), and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), have been employed to improve diagnostic accuracy and surgical margin definition. However, evidence on which technique is superior remains uncertain. This systematic review aimed to investigate whether DMT is more effective than other non-invasive methods, such as RCM and visual inspection, for the diagnosis of LM and LMM confirmed by histopathology. The literature research was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases without language and date of publication restrictions. Two independent dermatologists assessed the eligibility of the studies, extracted data, and performed a methodological quality and risk of bias analysis of the included studies (QUADAS-2). From 532 retrieved studies, 11 were included in the final analysis. The included studies showed substantial heterogeneity in design, thresholds, outcomes, and reporting, which precluded quantitative analysis. Compared with histopathology, the diagnostic performance of non-invasive methods, such as visual inspection, DMT, and RCM, was inconclusive due to several limitations. For instance, we found strong evidence of selection biases, non-consecutive sampling, lack of randomization, unblinded evaluators, and under-reporting of sensitivity and specificity. Overall, current evidence does not support replacing histopathology for confirming LM and LMM diagnosis. Standardized study protocols and reporting in the field of non-invasive diagnosis of LM and LMM are needed.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with standard chemotherapy (CT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) have shown promising results in recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer (CC). However, comprehensive evidence is needed to evaluate their efficacy and safety, particularly in the context of patient subgroups and immune response mechanisms. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize data from RCTs and apply trial sequential analysis (TSA) to validate findings.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) range from slow-growing to highly aggressive tumours; however, traditional prognostic markers often fail to predict clinical outcomes reliably. DNA methylation has recently emerged as a promising biomarker for assessing tumour behaviour. This systematic review evaluates its predictive value in PitNETs. To systematically assess the clinical applicability of DNA methylation profiles in predicting behaviour of PitNETs. Systematic review. A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL on December 13, 2024, with an update on October 17, 2025. The search included studies on adult PitNET patients, specifically examining tumour behaviour in relation to DNA methylation. Excluded were studies that focused on cell-free DNA, investigated a single gene with no established relevance to tumour behaviour, or assessed tumour size only. Data were extracted from 20 eligible studies by four independent reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed using the QUIPS tool. Due to methodological differences across studies, the findings were summarised narratively. Twelve studies investigated tumour invasiveness, two examined tumour aggressiveness and five examined PitNET regrowth, recurrence and re-intervention. The majority of studies concentrated on non-functioning PitNETs and used Illumina arrays or PCR-based methods. These analyses identified several differentially methylated genes linked to invasiveness (e.g., PHYHD1, WNT4, STAT6, CDH1, CDH13), aggressive behaviour (e.g., AIP, PDCD1, LINE-1), and tumour regrowth (e.g., TERT, FAM90A1, ING2). DNA methylation profiling shows potential for predicting PitNET behaviour, but methodological inconsistencies limit its clinical application. Standardized methods and prospective validation are needed for clinical integration.

Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for approximately 80-85% of cases. Most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, where curative treatment is no longer feasible. Current treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, often result in limited efficacy and significant side effects. Chemotherapy regimens, in particular, have reached a therapeutic plateau, necessitating the development of more effective and tolerable therapeutic approaches.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a poor prognosis, largely due to immune escape. The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand, PD-L1, play critical roles in this immune evasion. Consequently, blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with immune checkpoint inhibitors has become an established therapeutic strategy.

Esophageal cancer exhibits peak incidence in Asia and Africa, representing the sixth most common malignancy and seventh leading cause of global cancer mortality. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) constitutes 90% of esophageal cancer cases. The European Medicines Agency approved programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for high PD-1-expressing ESCC.

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains a clinically aggressive and lethal disease. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), as a minimally invasive biomarker, has shown prognostic utility in several solid tumors. However, its clinical relevance in mCRPC has not been comprehensively elucidated.

Microsatellite instability (MSI), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity are emerging biomarkers in gastric cancer prognosis and treatment selection, particularly in immunotherapy. This review evaluates their prognostic significance through a systematic review and meta-analysis.