(1) Background: In a society with an advancing aging rate, medical systems are coming under pressure due to an increasing flow of older patients with multiple somatic diseases, exacerbated by their psychological and sociological backgrounds. We aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and loneliness in older adults and to provide a holistic perspective on these concepts. Our research question was “Is there a link between the loneliness and frailty in older people?” (2) Methods: To assess the link between loneliness and frailty, we conducted a search accessing Index Medicus and PubMed; the timeframe of our research was from 2013 until 2023. Data regarding the study population, as well as loneliness and frailty assessments and approaches, were extracted. (3) Results: A positive relationship between loneliness and the appearance and progression of frailty in older adults is argued for. (4) Conclusions: Frailty and loneliness in older adults are often interconnected and can have a significant impact on their overall well-being. Early identification of frailty by assessing risk factors (including loneliness and/or social isolation) should become a standard of care for older patients. Appropriate combined interventions that effectively address both frailty and loneliness (physical exercises, psychological support, and social engagement) can promote healthier aging, prevent health deterioration, maintain independence, and reduce healthcare costs.

(1) Background: In a society with an advancing aging rate, medical systems are coming under pressure due to an increasing flow of elderly patients with multiple somatic diseases, exacerbated by their fragile psychological and sociological backgrounds. We aimed to investigate the relationship be-tween frailty and loneliness in elderly people. Our research question was “Is there a link between the loneliness and frailty in elderly people?” (2) Methods: To assess the link between loneliness and frailty, we conducted a search accessing Index Medicus and PubMed; the timeframe of our research was from 2013 till 2023. Data regarding the study population, as well as loneliness and fragility assessments and approaches, were extracted. (3) Results: A positive relationship between loneliness and the appearance and progression of frailty in elderly people is argued for. (4) Conclusions: Maintaining a balance in the body’s functionality for as long as possible requires the diagnosis and periodic assessment of health status at any age and, due to the various socio-financial and emotional implications, is particularly imperative for elderly patients. Frailty can be prevented, and it appears that it could even be reversed if early diagnosis and appropriate interventions are made. Therefore, knowledge of relevant risk factors—most likely including loneliness—is an absolute necessity to slow down, stop, and even reverse the frailty process.

Background: Pain is a common symptom in patients with advanced, metastatic, or terminal cancer. Neuropathic pain and psycho-emotional suffering are factors that increase the difficulty of pain management. Pain control in patients with cancer remains a challenge for medical professionals. Study Question: What is the evolution of neuropathic/mixed pain compared with nociceptive pain under standardized treatment in patients with cancer? Study Design: A prospective, longitudinal, open-label, nonrandomized study was conducted on patients with cancer pain. Measures and Outcomes: Pain type was assessed at admission using the modified Brief Pain Inventory, and pain intensity was assessed daily using the Numerical Rating Scale for 14 days and on days 21 and 28. Screening of depression was performed on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Patients with pain and depression received analgesics with antidepressants, while patients without depression received analgesics or analgesics with an anticonvulsant depending on the pain subtype. Results: Of 72 patients, 23 had nociceptive pain and 49 had neuropathic/mixed pain. At admission, pain intensity was higher for patients with neuropathic/mixed pain compared with nociceptive pain (mean values: 7.06 vs. 5.82) with statistical significance (P = 0.001) and remained as such at the end of this study (mean values: 3.77 vs. 2.73). A decrease in the mean pain intensity was observed in all types of pain, but without statistical significance regardless of pain type and treatment protocol used (P = 0.77). If depression was present, antidepressants combined with analgesics decreased pain and depression scores significantly (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with neuropathic/mixed pain have higher levels of pain and lower response to treatment. Identifying psycho-emotional suffering can improve pain control by intervening in the physical and psycho-emotional components of pain.

Background and Clinical Significance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Skeletal muscle metastases are extremely rare and typically occur in advanced or poorly differentiated tumors. In selected oligometastatic cases, surgical excision can provide symptom relief and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Case Presentation: We report a 73-year-old female patient with colonic adenocarcinoma treated with right hemicolectomy and side-to-side mechanical anastomosis, followed by adjuvant CAPOX chemotherapy. The tumor was characterized by MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high) status. During adjuvant treatment (less than 6 months after surgery), she developed progressive right thigh pain, later diagnosed as an intramuscular skeletal muscle metastasis measuring approximately 16 × 13 × 8 cm. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the tumor, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy after metastasectomy. Upon disease progression, first-line chemotherapy in combination with targeted therapy (bevacizumab) was administered. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma are rare. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing atypical metastatic patterns and suggests that, in selected oligometastatic cases, surgical excision combined with a multidisciplinary approach may improve symptom control and clinical outcomes.

Background: Chronic pain in children with cancer is a major challenge in pediatric palliative care. It results from the interaction of disease-related and treatment-related factors, psychological distress, and the child’s family and social environment. When poorly controlled, it can impair quality of life, emotional development, social functioning, and family well-being. This narrative review examines the challenges and management strategies for chronic pain in children with cancer from a pediatric palliative care perspective, with attention to pain mechanisms, assessment difficulties, and psycho-emotional influences. Methods: This narrative review was based on a structured literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language articles published between January 2000 and October 2025. Of 135 records identified, 15 studies judged most relevant to the thematic scope of the review were included in the final synthesis. A PRISMA-based flowchart was used to illustrate study identification and selection without implying a formal systematic review. Results: Chronic pain in children with cancer emerged as a multidimensional problem requiring an integrated approach to assessment and management, and some studies suggest that 20–26% of childhood cancer survivors experience persistent pain. Pharmacological strategies, including opioids and adjuvant medications, remain central, while psychological, supportive, and non-pharmacological interventions may complement multimodal care. Conclusions: Chronic pain in children with cancer should be managed through an integrated, individualized, and child-centered approach that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and relational dimensions of suffering and may improve quality of life for both children and their families.

Introduction: Pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive intrathoracic cancer with a reserved prognosis. The evolution of the disease is rapidly progressive due to the late detection and the inability of curative intervention. The treatment is, in most cases, palliative and aims to improve the symptoms and increase the survival of patients with pleural mesothelioma. Objective: Highlighting the role and need for palliative care since the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Discussions: This article presents the case of a 72-year-old patient diagnosed with stage IV pleural mesothelioma through hepatic metastasis, which associates pleural effusion secondary to neoplasia, chronic respiratory failure, type II diabetes, and high arterial blood pressure. The patient has a rapid evolution of the oncological disease, despite starting palliative chemotherapy since diagnosis. Conclusions: Palliative care provided to patients with pleural mesothelioma from the diagnosis aims to increase their quality of life through adequate control of symptoms. Rezumat Introducere: Mezoteliomul pleural este un cancer intratoracic rar întâlnit, agresiv, cu un prognostic rezervat. Evoluția bolii este rapid progresivă datorită depistării tardive și incapacității de intervenție curativă. Tratamentul este în majoritatea cazurilor paliativ și are drept scop îmbunătățirea simptomelor și creșterea supraviețuirii pacienților cu mezoteliom pleural. Scop / Obiectiv: Evidențierea rolului și necesității îngrijirii paliative încă de la stabilirea diagnosticului de mezoteliom pleural. Discuții: Acest articol prezintă cazul unui pacient în vârstă de 72 de ani diagnosticat cu mezoteliom pleural stadiul IV prin determinare secundară hepatică, care asociază pleurezie paraneoplazică, insuficiență respiratorie cronică, DZ tip II și HTA. Pacientul prezintă o evoluție rapidă a bolii oncologice, în ciuda începerii chimioterapiei paliative de la aflarea diagnosticului. Concluzii: Îngrijirea paliativă acordată pacienților cu mezoteliom pleural încă de la aflarea diagnosticului are ca scop creșterea calității vieții acestora printr-un control adecvat al simptomelor.