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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and carries a greater degree of stigma. Lung cancer stigma contributes to social isolation and increases loneliness, which has an impact on quality of life, increases depressive symptoms and hence affects all aspects of functioning. Functioning is assessed in five dimensions (physical, psychological, cognitive, social and life roles). The aim of the study was to assess the impact of loneliness on the functioning, nutritional status and quality of life of patients with lung cancer. METHODS. The survey study was conducted among 310 lung cancer patients. The patients were asked to complete the Mini-MAC, HADS-M, MNA, EORTC QoL, AIS and VAS questionnaires. RESULTS. In total, 136 patients were lonely and 174 were married or in a relationship. Lonely patients had significant difficulty accepting their illness and demonstrated higher levels of depression. The factors most strongly associated with loneliness were being unemployed, age 61 or over and a less score in the constructive coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS. Loneliness is a significant factor affecting the functioning of patients with lung cancer. It increases the risk of anxiety and depression, reduces levels of illness acceptance, reduces levels of constructive coping and increases the risk of malnutrition.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the world. According to the World Health Organization, over 2 million new lung cancer cases were reported worldwide in 2018, and there were 1.76 million deaths from the disease. Due to its non-specific symptoms, the disease is usually detected at an advanced stage, which gives few treatment options and a short survival rate after diagnosis. That is why improving QoL in the last months of a patient's life is enormously important. The purpose of this study was to analyse original papers in order to determine whether an increase in social support is important in improving QoL for lung cancer patients. Both the direct influence of social support on QoL and indirect influences such as stigma or depression, etc. were taken into consideration. We conducted a review of 22 papers published in English in the period 2005-2020, which were selected using the following keywords: lung cancer, social support, quality of life. Evidence was found for the connections between the improvement of social support and an increase in the QoL of lung cancer patients. It is crucial, and worth whatever effort is required, to increase social support for lung cancer patients, as it is one of the most important factors in improving QoL. According to the studies, a good QoL and minimalised symptoms of the disease are much more important for lung cancer patients than the length of their life.

Background. Between 34.5% and 69% of the patients with lung cancer are at risk of malnutrition. Quality of life (QoL) and physical status assessment provides valuable prognostic data on lung cancer patients. Malnutrition is a prognostic parameter for clinical outcome. Therefore, the identification of significant factors affecting the clinical outcome and QoL is important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and outcome, i.e., overall survival, time to tumor progression, and QoL, in lung cancer patients. Materials and methods. We performed a systematic search of the Pubmed/MEDLINE databases per the Cochrane guidelines to conduct a meta-analysis consistent with the PRISMA statement, using the following keywords: “lung cancer,” “malnutrition,” “nutrition,” “quality of life,” “well-being,” “health-related quality of life,” and “outcome.” Out of the 96 papers identified, 12 were included in our meta-analysis. Results. Our meta-analysis shows that patients with a good nutritional status have a better QoL than malnourished patients in the following functioning domains: physical (g = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.19 to 1.46, p < 0.001), role (g = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.59, p < 0.001), emotional (g = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.24, p < 0.001), cognitive (g = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.06, p < 0.001), and social (g = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.56, p < 0.001). The risk of death was significantly higher in malnourished than in well-nourished patients (HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.25 to 1.86, p < 0.001). Nutritional status was significantly associated with survival, indicating that patients with a poorer nutritional status are at more risk of relapse. Conclusions. Nutritional status is a significant clinical and prognostic parameter in the assessment of lung cancer treatment. Malnutrition is associated with poorer outcome in terms of overall survival, time to tumor progression, and QoL in patients treated for lung cancer.

Minimally invasive surgery is known to lessen postoperative stress and complications compared with open procedures, yet its molecular effects on immunity and cancer-related mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined immune and inflammatory responses after robot-assisted (RS) versus open (OS) colorectal cancer surgery. Sixty-one patients (RS = 30; OS = 31) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before surgery and at 8, 24, and 72 h post-incision. Cytokines, growth factors, and prostanoids were measured using multiplex immunoassays and mass spectrometry to assess systemic immune and inflammatory changes. Surgery type markedly influenced perioperative immune profiles. RS induced stronger activation of Th1-associated cytokines, including IFNγ and IP-10, suggesting enhanced cellular immune responsiveness. In contrast, Th2 cytokines and other immunosuppressive mediators—such as IL-4, IL-10, and G-CSF—showed smaller or transient increases after RS, whereas OS triggered broader and more sustained elevations. Angiogenic factors (VEGF-A, PDGF-BB, FGF2) rose significantly after OS but remained comparatively lower and returned to baseline faster after RS, indicating a weaker proangiogenic response. Similarly, postoperative surges in prostaglandins linked to inflammation and tumor progression (PGE2, PGF2α) were blunted and resolved earlier following RS. Overall, the robotic approach was associated with reduced inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, faster recovery of immune balance, and diminished biochemical signals favoring angiogenesis and potential tumor regrowth, suggesting a potential protective effect against pathogens and cancer-promoting mechanisms after colorectal tumor resection.

In 2020, colorectal cancer was the third most common type of cancer worldwide with a clearly visible increase in the number of cases each year. With relatively high mortality rates and an uncertain prognosis, colorectal cancer is a serious health problem. There is an urgent need to investigate its specific mechanism of carcinogenesis and progression in order to develop new strategies of action against this cancer. Nectins and Nectin-like molecules are cell adhesion molecules that take part in a plethora of essential processes in healthy tissues as well as mediating substantial actions for tumor initiation and evolution. Our understanding of their role and a viable application of this in anti-cancer therapy has rapidly improved in recent years. This review summarizes the current data on the role nectins and Nectin-like molecules play in colorectal cancer.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in patients treated for SARS-CoV-2 infection, infections with the bacteria producing New Delhi metallo-B-lactamase (NDM) carbapenemase in the USA, Brazil, Mexico, and Italy were observed, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to assess the impact of NDM infection and other bacterial infections on mortality in patients treated in ICUs due to COVID-19. The 160 patients who qualified for the study were hospitalized in ICUs due to COVID-19. Three groups were distinguished: patients with COVID-19 infection only (N = 72), patients with COVID-19 infection and infection caused by NDM (N = 30), and patients with COVID-19 infection and infection of bacterial etiology other than NDM (N = 58). Mortality in the groups and chosen demographic data; biochemical parameters analyzed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7; comorbidities; and ICU scores were analyzed. Bacterial infection, including with NDM type, did not elevate mortality rates. In the group of patients who survived the acute phase of COVID-19 the prolonged survival time was demonstrated: the median overall survival time was 13 days in the NDM bacterial infection group, 14 days in the other bacterial infection group, and 7 days in the COVID-19 only group. Comparing the COVID-19 with NDM infection and COVID-19 only groups, the adjusted model estimated a statistically significant hazard ratio of 0.28 (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, APACHE II score, and CRP were predictors of mortality in all the patient groups. In patients treated for SARS-CoV-2 infection acquiring a bacterial infection due to prolonged hospitalization associated with the treatment of COVID-19 did not elevate mortality rates. The data suggests that in severe COVID-19 patients who survived beyond the first week of hospitalization, bacterial infections, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae NDM, do not significantly impact mortality. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, APACHE II score, and CRP were predictors of mortality in all the patient groups.

Mirizzi syndrome occurs in up to 6% of patients with cholecystolithiasis. It is generally caused by external compression of the common hepatic duct by a gallstone impacted in the neck of the gallbladder or the cystic duct, which can lead to fistulisation. The aim of this review was to highlight the proposed classifications for Mirizzi syndrome (MS) and to provide an update on modern approaches to the diagnosis of this disease. We conducted research on various internet databases and the total number of records was 993, but after a gradual process of elimination our final review consisted of 21 articles. According to the literature, the Cesendes classification is the most commonly used, but many new suggestions have appeared. Our review shows that the ultrasonography (US) is the most frequently used method of initial diagnosis, despite still having only average sensitivity. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are good methods and are similarly effective, but only the latter can be simultaneously therapeutic. Some modern methods show very high sensitivity, but are not so commonly administered. Mirizzi syndrome is still a diagnostic challenge, despite the advancement of the available tools. Preoperative diagnosis is crucial to avoid complications during treatment. New research may bring a unification of classifications and diagnostic algorithms.

Lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer are the leading causes of death in developed countries. Many cancers display non-specific signs in the early stage of the disease, thus making early diagnosis often difficult. We focused on nestin as a new biomarker of possible clinical importance in the early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The expression of nestin takes place at an early stage of neural differentiation, but no expression of the nestin gene can be revealed in normal, mature adult tissues. Nestin plays an important role in the development of the central nervous system and contributes to the organization and maintenance of cell shape. Nestin was found to be a marker of microvessel density, which in turn has proven to be a reliable prognostic factor for neoplastic malignancies in patients. Nestin expression correlates with an increased aggressiveness of tumor cells. The role of nestin in cancers of the colon and rectum, liver, central nervous system, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and other cancers has been reviewed in the literature. Associations between nestin expression and prognosis or drug-resistance may help in disease management. More research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of nestin expression and its role in possible targeted therapy.

Background: For decades, intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) has been delivered into the abdominal cavity as a liquid solution. Recently the concept of foam as a carrier-solution for IPC was suggested. This in-vivo swine study aims to evaluate the safety, intraoperative parameters, limitations and postoperative complications of foam-based intraperitoneal chemotherapy (FBIC). Methods: Three 65-day-old swine received FBIC with doxorubicin in a laparoscopy setting. Intraoperative parameters were monitored throughout the procedure and an extensive postoperative laboratory monitoring was conducted for 7 days. At day seven an autopsy was performed for further evaluation. Results: The insufflation of FBIC caused a temporary rise in blood pressure and a simultaneous drop in heart rate. Capnography detected a continuous increase in end-tital CO 2 levels. A temporary drop of intraabdominal temperature was noted. Postoperative blood and serum laboratory results did not indicate any organ failure. No indication of intraperitoneal infections was noted and no structural tissue changes were visible in the autopsy. Discussion: The application of FBIC appears to be a feasible approach regarding intraoperative anesthesiology and postoperative surgical management. A lack of postoperative structural changes on the seventh day were a promising sign of safety and biocompatibility. Surgical reintervention would have been possible. To discuss a possible clinical application, further studies are required to investigate long-term safety, pharmacodynamics and the antitumoral potential of FBIC.

Introduction One of the most severe complications after TEVAR is ischemic stroke and spinal cord ischemia (SCI) resulting in severe disability. These complications can be fatal up to 30% of cases, so it is very important to define risk factors associated with the occurrence of such events. The aim of this study was to define the causes and risk factors associated with the occurrence of neurological complications in patients after TEVAR. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 51 patients undergoing TEVAR in the Department of Vascular Surgery of Military Teaching Hospital in Wroclaw between 2014 and 2017. In 18 patients LSA coverage was managed without revascularization (35.29%), and in 33 patients LSA remained uncovered (64.71%). Results We did not find any statistically significant difference in the incidence of stroke and spinal cord ischemia in patients with covered and uncovered LSA (stroke p  = 0.37, SCI p  = 0.58). In the group of patients with covered and uncovered LSA, we did not find any significant differences in the incidence of additional comorbidities such as obesity, ischemic heart disease, hypertension or previous stroke. Conclusions There is no difference in stroke and SCI occurrence between patients with covered and uncovered LSA. Although there are many studies analysing the risk of such complications, there is no specific consensus regarding the treatment of LSA coverage. Randomised clinical trials on a large group of patients are still needed.