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Cytotoxic lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio predicts colorectal cancer recurrence

A predictive model for recurrence-free survival in colorectal carcinoma was identified through analysis of immune cell populations. Specifically, a lower ratio of cytotoxic lymphocyte to monocytic lineage cells correlated with increased cancer recurrence, outperforming traditional microsatellite status. Gene expression analysis revealed that certain macrophage-related genes were overexpressed in recurrent cases, indicating a protumoral environment. These findings suggest that tailoring immunotherapy strategies in conjunction with cytotoxic T-cell modulation may enhance treatment efficacy for early-stage colorectal cancer patients.

Journal Article by Fernandez M, Todeschini L (…) Maker AV et 6 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. Society of Surgical Oncology.

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Enhancing cancer care access is essential for survival.

Access to cancer care significantly impacts treatment equity and survival, yet barriers persist. Key obstacles include racial and socioeconomic disparities, geographic limitations, and lack of insurance. Initiatives such as improved health insurance coverage, telemedicine solutions, and community health worker partnerships are vital for addressing these disparities. Furthermore, innovative screening methods, including self-sampling, are critical to increasing accessibility and improving cancer survival rates among underserved populations.

Journal Article by Butler JJ, Johnson AT and McKenzie-Johnson TSA in Am Surg

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Elevated calprotectin levels predict early anastomotic leakage outcomes

Findings indicate that increased calprotectin levels in drain fluid post colorectal surgery serve as reliable predictors of early anastomotic leakage (AL). In a cohort of 306 patients, those developing AL exhibited significantly higher calprotectin levels starting from the third postoperative day. Specifically, levels exceeding 110 ng/ml demonstrated 92% sensitivity and 82% specificity for detecting preclinical AL. This marker may enhance early postoperative management, outperforming traditional inflammatory indicators like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.

Journal Article by Ling L, Zuo Z (…) Zheng W et 6 al. in World J Surg Oncol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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New model accurately predicts lymph node metastases in surgery

A predictive model for lymph node metastases (lnm) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing adequate lymphadenectomy has been developed, revealing significant associations with preoperative CA 19-9 levels, suspicious lymph nodes, patient age, and tumor burden score. Analysis of 693 patients resulted in a model with high predictive accuracy, demonstrated by c-statistics of 0.723 and 0.771 in derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Risk categories indicated increasing lnm rates from 29.9% to 87.3% across risk groups.

Journal Article by Sposito C, Cucchetti A (…) Mazzaferro V et 14 al. in Liver Cancer

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

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Expert consensus offers comprehensive management guidelines for HCC

A recent expert consensus from Chinese authorities presents a comprehensive framework for managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, addressing the complexities posed by chronic liver disease. The 2023 guidelines include 18 recommendations focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. These pathways encompass both surgical and nonsurgical strategies, incorporating perioperative care, systematic and local treatment combinations, and tailored interventions for special populations. This initiative aims to improve long-term outcomes and resource management for HCC patients in China.

Review by Yang Y, Sun J (…) Li Q et 67 al. in Liver Cancer

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

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High Allostatic Load Linked to Serious Surgery Risks in CRC Patients

High allostatic load (AL) significantly correlates with increased risks of complications in colorectal cancer (CRC) surgeries. Among over 40,000 patients, those with high AL had a 48% greater likelihood of postoperative complications, a 79% increased chance of prolonged hospital stays, and doubled mortality risk within 30 days post-surgery. The study emphasizes that CRC patients from socially vulnerable neighborhoods suffer additional physiological damage, highlighting the necessity for preoperative screenings to address these disparities.

Journal Article by Khalil M, Woldesenbet S (…) Pawlik TM et 7 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Disparities in Surgical Care Access Among ACB Communities Identified

A scoping review aims to investigate the disparities faced by African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities regarding access to and the quality of surgical care in high-income countries with universal healthcare. The review seeks to systematically characterize existing literature, highlighting inequities in surgical outcomes linked to systemic barriers. By identifying evidence gaps, this research will enhance understanding of surgical care experiences for ACB patients, ultimately guiding future studies and practices within healthcare systems.

Journal Article by Bakunda L, Nyjong DM (…) Sauro K et 4 al. in BMJ Open

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.

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New risk scores predict early recurrence in liver cancer patients

Online preoperative and postoperative risk scores have been developed and validated for predicting early recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing conversion liver resection after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The preoperative model identified key factors, achieving a c-index of 0.681, while the postoperative model scored 0.706. Both models demonstrate significant predictive accuracy and can assist clinicians in making informed surgical decisions and optimizing postoperative care for affected patients.

Journal Article by Lin KY, Liu HZ (…) Zeng YY et 36 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

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Structured prioritization significantly reduces surgery waiting times

Implementing a structured prioritization process in a tertiary emergency unit dramatically decreased median surgical waiting times from over 17 hours to under 9 hours. Compliance with acceptable waiting time windows also improved significantly, rising from 60.5% to 77.1%. This observational study analyzed 1851 non-elective surgeries in two periods, demonstrating that an urgency classification, kanban dashboard, and multidisciplinary scheduling can enhance surgical efficiency in high-complexity environments, fostering better outcomes for patients.

Journal Article by Rocha MC, Damous SHB, Costa RA and Utiyama EM in Clinics (Sao Paulo)

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.

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Advanced machine learning outperform traditional models in gastric cancer prognosis

A new machine learning framework combined with a nomogram has been developed to predict recurrence after radical gastrectomy in patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer and “double invasion.” Among the 559 patients studied, the random survival forests model achieved the highest c-index of 0.791, outperforming other machine learning approaches. This hybrid model effectively integrates multiple variables to enhance predictive accuracy and guide postoperative care, marking a significant improvement over conventional prognostic models.

Journal Article by Hao Z, Wang Z (…) Zhang W et 2 al. in Eur J Med Res

© 2025. The Author(s).

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