Background and Objectives: It is well known that among all cancers, cancers of the head and neck (HNC) have a major impact on patients’ quality of life. Disfigurement, anxiety and disabling physical and psychological symptoms affect people with HNC to such an extent that the suicide rate in this category of patients is exceeded only by that of patients with pancreatic cancer. The aim of this review was to summarize the published literature describing the severity of body image and quality of life impairment in patients with HNC over time, and to examine the psychosocial and functional associations and interventions implemented to improve body image and quality of life. Materials and Methods: We conducted a literature search from 1 January 2018 to June 2021 that included electronic searches of six major databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PsychArticles and Scopus) and review of references of articles screened. Of 620 records, only 9 articles met the eligibility criteria. Results: Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze various psychological variables, but there is still a lack of standardization in the assessment of body image perception (BI) and quality of life, resulting in small-scale testing of interventions with poor results. Conclusions: Expected longitudinal studies describing the flow of body image problems and the mediation and balance factors associated with body image will allow researchers to design methods aimed at limiting body image disorders and thus improving quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer.

Background and Objectives: Cannabinoids are currently used in cancer patients primarily for their pain-relieving and antiemetic properties. The aim of our review was to synthesize all available data of studies evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in combination with oncological treatments in cancer patients and to explore ongoing studies with different goals and medical areas registered in the field of oncology worldwide. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A search using MEDLINE/PubMed database was performed between 1 January 2006 and 1 March 2022. Search terms included the following: cannabidiol, cannabis, CBD, dronabinol, endocannabinoids, medical marijuana, nabiximols, nabilone, THC, and cancer. All studies that examined the efficacy of cannabis administered during oncological treatments, regardless of cancer localization, subtype, and sample size, were considered eligible. Results: In three studies, cannabis was administered to patients with glioblastoma, and in two other studies, cannabis was used in combination with immunotherapy in various cancer subgroups. The results of the clinical trials in cancer patients are not sufficient to draw conclusions at this time. Interestingly, several other studies addressing the systemic effects of cannabinoids in cancer patients are currently listed in the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s registry on the ClinicalTrials.gov website. However, only one of the registered studies examined the efficacy of cannabinoids as a potential option for systemic cancer treatment. Conclusions: Although cannabis is touted to the public as a cancer cure, clinical trials need to clarify which combinations of chemotherapeutic agents with cannabinoids are useful for cancer patients.

A cancer diagnosis often triggers profound psychological and emotional distress as individuals reflect on existential issues such as life and death. The aim of this review was to provide estimates of suicide risk associated with digestive cancer worldwide, and to identify sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors associated with suicide risk in patients with digestive cancer. Materials and methods: The literature search was guided by the following question: What is the relationship between suicide and digestive cancer, and what sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors contribute to the risk of suicide in these patients? We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, and systematically reviewed the evidence, according to PRISMA guidelines, from relevant articles on the association between digestive system cancers and suicide outcomes published over a 14-year period (2011–2024). Eligible studies were searched in the main scientific databases up to August 2024. Results: There are many reasons why people die by suicide, including challenges faced by patients in mentally adapting to their new condition and physical illness. Studies have shown that the highest suicide rates in digestive cancer patients are observed in males, older age groups, single people, those with a poor cancer prognosis, and those with a lack of treatment provision (surgery or chemotherapy). The risk of suicide peaks at six months post-discrimination, remains stable for three years, and then declines. Conclusions: Systematic changes in cancer care, such as aggressive treatment of pain and physical symptoms, management of delirium and cognitive impairment, routine screening, increased monitoring, and proactive measures for high-risk patients, can play a critical role in preventing unnecessary deaths and addressing the increased vulnerability of cancer patients, underscoring the need for targeted psychological support and early intervention, especially during critical periods like diagnosis and post-treatment recovery.

Background: Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is a rare and newly defined disease, which most commonly occurs in women of reproductive age and can be a sequela of any gestational event. ETT can be present in both intrauterine and extrauterine sites. Case report: A woman of reproductive age, without specific comorbidities and with a single pregnancy and natural childbirth eight years ago, was diagnosed initially with poorly differentiated pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma on the hemostatic uterine curettage. Conclusion: Our case highlights that ETT presents a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and histologic resemblance to other pathologies. Misdiagnosis delays effective treatment and affects survival. To date, only 8 cases of ETT of the uterus without previous gestational event and normal human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) levels in a 60-year literature survey have been reported.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination of people with cancer or a recent history of cancer was advisable under specific conditions, depending on the type of vaccine (inactivated or live attenuated virus or bacterium), type of cancer, and whether they had undergone treatment for cancer. Some malignancies, especially hematological malignancies, and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and splenectomy negatively impact the immune response. The clinical trials of currently used vaccines against COVID-19 did not include people with active cancer; thus, there is an important gap in the knowledge of safety and efficiency data for COVID-19 immunization in this population. However, considering the risk of mortality and morbidity due to possible infection with SARS-CoV-2, medical experts recommend immunization on an individual basis. As the worldwide prevalence of malignancies is high, reliable information on COVID-19 vaccination is expected to be revealed in future clinical trials. In this review, we examine the key aspects of cancer that may be affected by COVID-19 and summarize the current literature on COVID-19 immunization.

Aim: This review aims to describe the literature on mental adaptation to cancer and to examine how coping strategies influence psychological outcomes among cancer patients. Research Questions: What coping strategies related to mental adaptation to cancer are reported among patients with breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, and bladder cancers? Design: Systematic review reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed database. Study methodological quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools, and the certainty of evidence was assessed according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Article selection, quality assessment, and risk-of-bias evaluation were conducted independently by two reviewers. Results: The search identified 173,274 records, of which 42 studies met the eligibility criteria after screening. Most studies were cross-sectional and conducted in hospital oncology departments, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation programs, or community follow-up services. Findings indicate that the diagnostic and early treatment phases represent the most psychologically vulnerable periods for cancer patients. Maladaptive coping strategies, particularly helplessness–hopelessness and anxious preoccupation, were associated with increased psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, education, income, and social support also influenced psychological outcomes. Conclusion: Early psychological assessment and psychosocial interventions during the first months after diagnosis may improve mental health outcomes. Further research should explore digital health tools and remote support systems to enhance psychological care for cancer patients.