Purpose: When only the TNM classification is used to predict survival in gastric cancer (GC) patients, the impact of the degree of lymphadenectomy on the prognosis is neglected. This study aimed to establish a more effective nomogram based on the log odds of negative lymph nodes/T stage ratio (LONT) to predict survival in surgically treated GC patients. Methods: The data of resected GC patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify the significant prognostic factors. The prognostic performance was assessed using a calibration plot, concordance index (C-index), and area under the (time-dependent receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC) to compare the predicted survival probability based on the nomogram score groups. Results: The results showed LONT as an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS), independent of clinicopathological factors. After removing potential redundancy, only LONT, T stage, N stage, location and age were used in the final nomogram model. The model had a higher C-index (0.736 ± 0.012) and AUC (0.798) than the TNM staging system (0.685 ± 0.012 and 0.744). The nomogram score could predict a significant survival difference between any two adjacent groups in terms of CSS and OS. Conclusion: High LONT is associated with improved survival of gastric cancer patients, independent of other clinicopathological factors. The prognostic nomogram model based on LONT could effectively predict CSS and OS for resectable GC patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global and Chinese public health issue, and dietary factors are controllable risk factors. However, China’s CRC epidemiological trends and diet-attributable analyses based on the latest global burden of disease (GBD) data remain incomplete. This study systematically assessed China’s CRC disease burden (1990–2021) and temporal trends in diet-related risk factors via GBD 2021 data to inform precision prevention.Methods: GBD 2021 data were used to analyze age/sex differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and diet-related risk factors for CRC. Temporal trends in CRC burden were evaluated via joinpoint regression analysis. To enable comparisons across populations with differing age structures, we calculated age-standardized rates (ASRs) via the GBD world standard population. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) trends were assessed.Results: In 2021, China had 658321.36 new CRC cases (315.63% increase vs. 1990) and 275129.23 deaths (130.61% increase), with males showing greater burden increases. The 15–49-year-old had the fastest incidence growth (EAPC = 3.40%); those ≥75 years of age had the highest incidence (255.34/100000 people). Among the dietary risk factors, low milk intake caused the most deaths in 2021 (51030.32 cases), followed by low whole grain intake (49990.79 cases). From 1990 to 2021, processed meat-related deaths rose the most (274.71%), with higher proportions of young adults; low-calcium diet deaths significantly declined (EAPC = -0.48%). Females had the highest share of low-milk deaths, whereas males had the most low-whole-grain deaths.Conclusion: China’s CRC burden is increasing overall, with increasing sex differences and coexisting youth and later life trends, driven by dietary shifts. Urgent promotion of increased milk and whole-grain intake, alongside reduced processed meat consumption, is needed, with tailored strategies for different populations.

The global incidence of thyroid cancer has increased significantly, and patients with advanced, recurrent, or radioiodine-refractory disease face a severe shortage of effective treatment options. The RET proto-oncogene serves as a key driver in the development of thyroid cancer, and its alterations are closely associated with highly aggressive tumor subtypes. Although the emergence of highly selective RET inhibitors (such as selpercatinib and pralsetinib) has revolutionized the treatment landscape, their complete clinical development pathway, rational combination strategies, and future research priorities still require systematic clarification. Understanding the development trends of these drugs is important for guiding clinical decision-making, optimizing trial design, and accelerating new drug development. We searched 16 clinical trial registries, and identified 18 studies registered up to 21 March 2025. Our analysis revealed that among the 18 eligible trials, the majority were Phase 1/2 studies. Selpercatinib and pralsetinib are the most frequently studied RET inhibitors. Notably, research on next-generation RET inhibitors as monotherapy approaches (e.g., LOXO-260, enbezotinib, SY-5007 and TY-1091) is currently underway. Additionally, combination regimens incorporating these inhibitors with agents such as ¹³¹I, recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH), and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibodies are becoming an increasingly important area of investigation. While selective RET inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic potential, concerns regarding drug resistance and toxicity persist. Therefore, future strategies should prioritize the development of next-generation inhibitors and the optimization of combination regimens to improve outcomes for RET -altered thyroid cancer patients.

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a congenital disorder of anatomical position, and the operation of patients with total visceral inversion often brings great challenges to surgeons. Although there have been previously documented on patients with SIT and colonic cancer, this is the first case report of descending colon cancer in patient with SIT. The current report presents a case of a 67-year-old female patient with descending colon cancer and SIT. After preoperative preparation and discussion, open left hemicolectomy was performed for the patient. The postoperative recovery of the patient was smooth; however, there was a mild lymphatic leakage in the patient, which was cured by conservative treatment for 5 days. The patient was discharged on postoperative Day 10. There was no tumor recurrence or other discomfort in 1 year follow-up period.

The treatment plan for non-ampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (d-NETs) with diameters 1–2 cm remains controversial. We therefore aimed to compare the prognostic effects of endoscopic treatment and surgical resection on non-ampullary d-NETs with 1–2 cm diameters. A total of 373 eligible patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to match patients 1:1 according to clinicopathological characteristics. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Before PSM, there was no significant difference in DSS or OS (all P > 0.05), but the T stage, N stage, and TNM stage were significantly different between the two surgical methods (all P < 0.05). After 1:1 PSM, the differences in clinicopathological characteristics were significantly reduced (all P > 0.05). Survival analysis showed that tumor grade was correlated with DSS and that age was correlated with OS (all P < 0.05); however, the surgical method and other clinicopathological characteristics were not correlated with prognosis (all P > 0.05). Subgroup survival analysis of patients with T2N0M0 disease and tumors invading the lamina propria or submucosa showed that the 5-year DSS and OS rates were not significantly different according to the surgical approach (all P > 0.05). The surgical approach has no significant effect on the prognosis of patients with non-ampullary d-NETs with 1–2 cm diameters, especially those with T2N0M0 disease. This suggests that endoscopic treatment may be a preferred option for these patients.

Objective: We explored the value of a standardized patient-based situational simulation teaching method in general surgery internships. Methods: A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with clinical medicine undergraduates from the 2020 cohort of our university as subjects. These students were randomly divided into a traditional teaching (TT) group and a combined teaching (CT) group based on their internship schedules. The TT group followed the conventional teaching model, while the CT group engaged in the standardized patient-based situational simulation teaching method. The study compared differences in pre-internship theoretical scores, post-internship theoretical scores, medical record writing quality, and student satisfaction between the two groups. Results: The CT group (n=108) significantly outperformed the TT group (n=104) in post-internship theoretical scores and medical record writing quality (all P<0.05) and showed marked improvement in stimulating students’ interest in learning (P=0.015), enhancing clinical diagnostic and treatment abilities (P<0.001), improving doctor‒patient communication skills (P<0.001), strengthening medical mission sense (P<0.001), reinforcing physicians’ sense of responsibility (P<0.001), and facilitating the application of learned knowledge (P<0.001). These differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: The standardized patient-based situational simulation teaching method (CT) in general surgery internships has been highly recognized by students and can enhance their clinical competency, offering considerable value for broader.