CT-guided transthoracic core-needle biopsy (TTNB) is frequently used for the diagnosis of lung nodules. The aim of this study is to describe TTNBs' complications and to investigate predictive factors of complications.

Immunotherapy is moving forward in prostate cancer. The autologous vaccine, Sipuleucel-T has been the first vaccine to be approved by FDA. First results with GVAX, tasquinimob or anti-PD-1 have been disappointing. Ipilimumab seen to be more active at an earlier stage of prostate disease. Identifying predictive factor or surrogate markers of activity of immunotherapy and which agents are clinically effective alone or in combination with others therapies such as hormonal or bone targeted therapies are warranted.

IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS IN ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER: T-cell-directed strategies represent currently a major advance in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, regarding their efficacy and tolerance. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab, two monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) have shown their efficacy in phase III studies. Several other drugs are developed and the benefit of association is being evaluated. In this article, we propose to summarize the clinical development of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Pre-mRNA splicing is an obligatory step required to assemble the vast majority of mRNAs in eukaryotes. In humans, each gene gives rise to at least two transcripts, with an average 6-8 spliced transcripts per gene. Pre-mRNA splicing is not unequivocal. Variations may occur, such that splicing can become alternative, thereby participating in increasing protein variability and restricting the gap that exists between the relatively low number of genes - between 20,000 and 25,000 in humans - and the much higher number of distinct proteins - at least 100,000. In addition, although alternative pre-mRNA splicing often fulfils cell-specific needs, many aberrant splicing events can happen and lead to either hereditary or acquired diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancers. In those cases, alternative splicing events may serve as disease-associated markers, or even as targets for corrective approaches. In this review, we will summarize the main aspects of regulated alternative splicing. We will present the spliceosome, a large ribonucleoprotein complex that orchestrates the splicing reactions and that was recently identified as a preferential target for mutations in several pathologies. We shall discuss some spliceosome-associated defects linked to either cis (i.e on the DNA) or trans (e.g. in proteins) alterations of splicing machinery, like those that have been reported in genetic or acquired diseases.

Urothelial tumors are very rare in children (to date, only about 150 cases have been reported worlwide). Only 20% occur before the age of ten. The aim of this study is to specify the clinicopathologic features of urothelial tumor in young patients, which require a slightly different approach to treatment. On the basis of the WHO/ISUP (World Health Organisation/International Society of Urological Pathology) consensus classification report, these lesions are usually low-grade lesions, non invasive, and rarely recurrent. The sex ratio is three boys to one girl. These tumors are located preferentially in the low urinary tract, especially in the bladder. The main symptom is the macroscopic hematuria, which requires ultrasound examination in all cases. Cystoscopy is indicated in case of lesion of the bladder wall, or in case of persistent or recurrent hematuria, to obtain definitive diagnosis and biopsies. The tumors are mainly located on the posterior or lateral bladder wall above the trigone or near the ureteral orifices. Treatment is based on the transurethral resection of the lesion. The subsequent monitoring is sparsely codified, due to the exceptional occurrence of these tumors in the paediatric age group. These patients are likely to have better outcome than older patients, but it is due to the predominance of noninvasive papillary urothelial tumors. Tumor recurrences are not uncommon. In case of invasive, high-grade urothelial carcinomas, metastases or even lethal outcome may occur in rare cases.

Carcinomas are rare tumors of the adolescent-young adult (AYA) with a different spectrum from those of adults. The most common sites outside of the thyroid is the nasopharynx, salivary gland, colon-rectum and ovaries. If nasopharyngeal carcinoma or salivary gland tumors are good prognosis, others are more reserved prognosis, such as digestive carcinomas, gynecological or midline. The revelation modes are non-specific and depend on the location: mass, tumor syndrome, pain, impaired general condition. The unusual of pediatric carcinomas led to propose a systematic oncogenetic exploration. The medical history of the family, the symptoms and the type of the carcinoma should guide the analysis. In the absence of guidance, analysis of TP53 gene and, for carcinomas of the expanded spectrum of the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, the search for mutation of MMR genes (mismatch repair) seems essential. Because of the rarity of these diseases and the absence of homogeneous recommendations, members of the rare tumors committee of the SFCE recommended for the management of these AJA, an histological review by a pathologist familiar with carcinomas of the adult, a double discussion between pediatric and adult oncologists, analysis of adult standards with adaptation to pediatric data, especially in terms of risk of side effects. An advice to a national opinion (by a member of FRACTURE group) or European (group EXPERT) is sometimes necessary in the most complex situations.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare neuro-endocrine tumor of skin with a poor prognosis. Data available in literature are scarce. Current treatment for locoregional disease is based on combined treatment by surgery and radiotherapy. However these treatments are controversial. The aim of the present review is to sum up the different available studies and to compare national and international guidelines.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Darrier-Ferrand sarcoma, DFSP) is an uncommon tumor. This sarcoma has a tendency to local recurrence, requiring a wide surgical resection.

Squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and lips consistently have a high incidence (they constitute the fifth most common form of cancer in France) and carry a heavy prognosis, particularly if diagnosed late. According to different studies, between 10 and 80% of such carcinomas occur in a pre-existing or precancerous lesion. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the use of two terms for such lesions: precursor lesions, i.e. histological lesions associated with intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) and verrucous hyperplasia (VH), frequently resulting clinically in leukoplakia or erythroplakia; "at risk" lesions, which include lichen planus, submucosal oral fibrosis and certain forms of genodermatosis.

Platinum-based perioperative chemotherapy is actually the standard of care in stage II-IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A benefit may also be seen in stage IB NSCLC with tumors of more than 4cm of diameter. Perioperative chemotherapy improves 5-year survival of 4 to 15%. This benefit is mainly proved by postoperative chemotherapy trials. Nevertheless, preoperative chemotherapy has advantages: a better tolerance, an estimation of tumor chemosensibility, without an increased postoperative morbimortality. However, pTNM and pathological tumor analyses are modified. Indications of postoperative radiotherapy are limited. In early stage NSCLC (stage I-II), radiotherapy worsens survival. Radiotherapy is routinely achieved in NSCLC with parietal tumor invasion and incomplete tumor resection. Indications of immunotherapy and targeted therapies in case of oncogenic addiction remain to be established in resected NSCLC. Several biomarkers are studied to better describe the indications of perioperative chemotherapy: recognize groups of patients with a worse prognosis and distinguish chemosensibility of the tumor.

On the same principle than total mesorectal excision in rectal cancer, the effect of complete mesocolic excision on short and long-term outcomes is actually evaluated for colonic adenocarcinoma. This method, usually performed for left colectomy, offers a surgical specimen of higher quality, with a larger number of lymph nodes harvested. For right colectomy, surgical specifications make it less common complete mesocolic excision and conventional surgery offer comparable outcomes, as regards to postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. No differences are identified between laparoscopic and open surgery. On oncologic outcomes, only two studies report a higher free-disease survival after complete mesocolic excision. Then, there is evidence that complete mesocolic excision offers a higher rate of specimen with extensive lymph node resection, without increased morbidity rate. However, there is limited evidence that it leads to improve long-term oncological outcomes.