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New lymph node classification systems outperform AJCC in predicting gastric cancer survival

Log odds of positive lymph nodes (lodds) and positive lymph node ratio (lnr) demonstrate superior predictive capabilities for survival in gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (gsrc) patients compared to the traditional AJCC n-category. Multivariate analysis reveals both lodds and lnr as significant prognostic factors, with improved sensitivity and specificity in predicting outcomes at 1, 3, and 5 years. Their robust performance suggests they could replace the n-category for better survival risk assessment in clinical applications.

Journal Article by Wang LF, Sun ML (…) Chen YR et 4 al. in World J Surg Oncol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Conversion therapy extends survival for locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients

Conversion therapy (CT) significantly improves overall and progression-free survival in patients with locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (LA-ICCA). In a retrospective analysis of 115 patients, median overall survival reached 45.53 months and progression-free survival was 18.23 months post-propensity score matching, both superior to systemic therapy (ST) outcomes. CT emerged as an independent factor linked to better results, indicating its potential as a transformative approach in treating this aggressive malignancy.

Journal Article by Lu J, Zhou L (…) Huang B et 3 al. in J Surg Oncol

© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Surgical Oncology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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Overweight Older Adults Experience Lower Postoperative Mortality After Major Surgery

A cohort of 414 older adults undergoing major elective surgery revealed striking results: those classified as overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) had an astonishingly low 30-day all-cause mortality rate of just 0.8%. In stark contrast, normal-weight patients faced an 18.8% mortality rate, while underweight individuals experienced a serious 75% mortality rate. Adjusted analyses reinforced the protective association of being overweight against early postoperative mortality, challenging the notion that overweight status uniformly contributes to surgical risk in older populations.

Journal Article by Canales C, Anderson M (…) Sarkisian C et 6 al. in JAMA Netw Open

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Autonomous Laparoscope System Cuts Surgical Time and Resource Load

A new multi-task compliant control framework for robotic camera manipulation promises substantial gains in laparoscopic surgery. By integrating deep learning with robotic kinematics, this system autonomously adjusts the field of view and adheres to key constraints, achieving a mean response time under two seconds. Results reveal minimal tracking errors and successful scalability to prevent tissue collisions, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the burden on healthcare providers.

Journal Article by Shi J, Zhou C (…) Feng D et 6 al. in Int J Med Robot

© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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Liver Cancer Rates Surge Across Europe Amid Rising Health Disparities

The burden of liver cancer in Europe has escalated significantly from 1990 to 2021, with age-standardized incidence rising from 3.04 to 4.20 per 100,000. Males experienced disproportionately higher rates, particularly in older populations. Key risk factors include hepatitis C, alcohol consumption, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, with Andorra recording the highest rates and Ukraine the lowest. The findings underline urgent needs for improved prevention, early detection, and equitable healthcare access as lifestyle, obesity, and demographic changes drive trends.

Journal Article by Kazi O, Hamidzadeh S (…) Khadembashiri MA et 4 al. in Ann Med Surg (Lond)

Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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Innovative surgical technique offers new hope for pancreatic cancer

A modified Appleby procedure successfully treated a pancreatic body tumor encasing the celiac axis, previously deemed inoperable. Utilizing a replaced left hepatic artery, surgeons safeguarded gastric and hepatic perfusion during the distal pancreatectomy and en bloc celiac axis resection. This rare vascular variant opened new avenues for safe surgical intervention, demonstrating that careful mapping and intraoperative assessments can enhance resectability in complex anatomical cases. Postoperative recovery was unremarkable, with histology confirming R0 resection.

Journal Article by Kumar S, Gupta R (…) Govil D et 2 al. in Int J Surg Case Rep

Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

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New Perineural Invasion Score Predicts Survival in Pancreatic Cancer

A novel perineural invasion (PNI) severity score effectively predicts disease recurrence and survival in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Among 300 patients, PNI severity correlated with worse pathological outcomes: shorter recurrence times (24 months for PNI 0 vs. 15 months for PNI 2) and reduced survival (57 months for PNI 0 vs. 32 months for PNI 2). PNI 2 patients particularly benefited from adjuvant treatment, achieving longer recurrence-free and overall survival rates.

Journal Article by Gasparini G, Crippa S (…) Falconi M et 12 al. in Ann Surg

Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Staged Resection for Appendiceal Cancer Doesn’t Compromise Survival

Staged right colectomy (SRC) for appendiceal cancer matches overall survival outcomes compared to upfront right colectomy (URC), with SRC reducing unnecessary surgeries. Analysis of 908 patients revealed that URC was often reserved for larger, higher-grade tumors. Adjusted results show SRC demonstrates equivalent survival in elective cases, emphasizing its role in avoiding overtreatment. This approach may reshape surgical strategies for appendiceal cancer, prioritizing patient-centered, less invasive options without sacrificing safety.

Journal Article by Waheed MT, Malik I (…) Raoof M et 11 al. in Ann Surg

Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Recurrence-Free Survival Validated as Reliable Endpoint in Esophageal Cancer Trials

Strong correlations reveal that recurrence-free survival (RFS) effectively predicts overall survival (OS) in resectable esophageal cancer. An integrated analysis of data from 10 Phase III trials found a Kendall’s τ of 0.823, indicating robust individual-level surrogacy. Trial-level analysis across 22 trials yielded an impressive R² of 0.735. These findings suggest RFS can serve as a quicker surrogate endpoint, potentially expediting treatment development by reducing the need for lengthy follow-ups.

Journal Article by Okui J, Matsuda S (…) Kitagawa Y et 17 al. in Ann Surg

Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Robotic Surgery for Rectal Cancer Surges, Boosting Surgical Quality and Survival

Robotic surgery for rectal cancer skyrocketed from 10.1% to 45.7% of procedures from 2010 to 2021. Associated with higher odds of achieving high-quality oncologic resection, robotic methods surpassed both laparoscopic and open surgery in effectiveness. Quality surgical resections improved from 65.4% to 75.3%. Patients in high-volume centers enjoyed even better outcomes. Overall mortality rates fell significantly, underscoring the increasing significance of robotic techniques in rectal cancer treatment.

Journal Article by Simon EF, Westfall KM (…) Charles R et 6 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2025. The Author(s).

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