Introduction: Lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in breast cancer’s progression, treatment response, and prognosis. Alterations in triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) have been implicated in tumor aggressiveness and chemotherapy outcomes. This review examines the relationship between dyslipidemia and breast cancer, with a focus on chemotherapy-induced lipid alterations and their prognostic significance. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PUBMED, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, identifying 108 unique studies. After applying the inclusion criteria, 21 studies were selected for analysis, covering lipid profile changes before, during, and after chemotherapy, as well as their impact on treatment response and clinical outcomes. Results: Breast cancer patients exhibited lower baseline TC, TG, and LDL-C levels compared to healthy controls; however, chemotherapy significantly increased these markers while decreasing HDL-C from 1.1 to 0.9 mmol/L. The incidence of dyslipidemia rose from 42.98% pre-treatment to 58.28% post-treatment. Chemotherapy-induced lipid alterations were most pronounced in anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens, leading to a 38% increase in TGs and a 23% reduction in HDL-C. While some studies reported that lipid levels normalized post-treatment, others indicated persistent dyslipidemia up to 12 months later. High baseline HDL-C was associated with a better chemotherapy response, whereas elevated TGs and LDL-C correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness, lower pathological complete response rates, and a higher relapse risk. Patients with persistently high post-treatment TGs had significantly worse disease-free survival, with a 30% relapse rate compared to 18% in those with normal TG. Preliminary evidence suggests that lipid-lowering therapies, such as statins, may offer therapeutic benefits in breast cancer by targeting the cholesterol synthesis pathways involved in tumor growth, though further clinical trials are required. Conclusions: Dyslipidemia is a key metabolic factor influencing breast cancer’s progression, treatment response, and long-term prognosis. Chemotherapy-induced lipid alterations may persist, increasing cardiovascular risk and potentially affecting therapeutic efficacy. Routine lipid monitoring and metabolic interventions could enhance treatment outcomes and survivorship. Future research should focus on developing lipid-targeted strategies to optimize breast cancer management.

Background/Objectives: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a common surgical intervention linked to specific surgical site complications. In such occurrences, the related morbidity is often substantial. Although known risk factors have long been recognized, their systematic inclusion in risk stratification systems lacks universal validation. This study evaluates the effectiveness and correspondence of three risk assessment tools—CeDAR, VHWG, and the modified VHWG—in predicting postoperative wound complications in VHR patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 203 patients who underwent VHR for incisional midline or lateral wall hernia across two surgical departments between 2019 and 2023. Each patient was scored using CeDAR, VHWG, and the modified VHWG systems. Outcomes were assessed based on surgical site occurrences (SSOs) such as seroma formation, wound infections, and recurrences. Results: The incidence of SSOs was 8.9%, with two recorded deaths (0.89%). CeDAR scores showed a statistically significant relationship with SSOs but failed to accurately predict complication rates across subgroups. The VHWG grading system effectively predicted higher complication rates for grades III and IV compared to grades I and II, though its modified version did not show significant predictive improvements. Secondary outcomes indicated a higher SSO rate in patients requiring posterior component separation (TAR) and those with larger hernia defects, though the differences were not statistically significant. Major preoperative risk factors, including smoking, diabetes, and obesity, did not show significant correlations with SSO rates in this study. Conclusions: Current risk estimation tools inadequately predict SSOs in VHR. Enhancing prediction accuracy will require incorporating both patient-specific and surgical factors, potentially through advanced algorithms and large-scale studies.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that primarily affect adults, with pediatric cases constituting only 0.5–2.7% of the total. Pediatric GISTs present unique clinical, genetic, and pathological features that distinguish them from adult cases. This literature review aims to elucidate these differences, emphasizing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We discuss the resistance of pediatric GISTs to conventional chemotherapy and highlight the importance of surgical intervention, especially in emergency situations involving intra-abdominal bleeding. The review also explores the molecular characteristics of pediatric GISTs, including rare mutations such as quadruple-negative wild-type GIST with an FGF3 gene gain mutation. To illustrate these points, we conclude with a case from our clinic involving a 15-year-old female with multiple CD117-positive gastric GISTs and a quadruple-negative wild-type genetic profile who required urgent surgical intervention following a failed tumor embolization. This case underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic strategies combining oncologic and surgical care to improve outcomes in pediatric GIST patients.

Background: Incisional hernias are a frequent complication following ileostomy closure, with rates reaching 24%. Protective ileostomies are commonly performed in colorectal surgery, but their closure presents a significant risk for abdominal wall defects. Identifying risk factors for incisional hernias at the ileostomy site is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 95 patients who underwent loop ileostomy closure at two Romanian hospitals between 2018 and 2023. Patient demographics, surgical details, and follow-up data were reviewed. Incisional hernias were diagnosed through clinical examination or radiological imaging. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate regression, were performed to identify independent risk factors. Results: The incidence of incisional hernias at the ileostomy site was 13.7% (13/95). Univariate analysis identified BMI (HR 30.08; p = 0.007), previous hernia (HR 7.99; p = 0.059), radiotherapy (HR 299.15; p = 0.029), and chemotherapy (HR 0.004; p = 0.026) as significant factors. Multivariate analysis confirmed BMI > 30 kg/m² (HR 12.27; p = 0.002) and prior hernia (HR 8.14; p = 0.007) as independent risk factors. Conclusions: Obesity and previous hernias significantly increase the risk of incisional hernias following ileostomy closure. Radiological follow-up enhances early detection, and further studies should explore the benefits of prophylactic mesh reinforcement. Optimizing patient selection and surgical technique may reduce postoperative hernia rates, improving long-term outcomes.