Background/Objectives: Head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGs) are rare, typically benign, hypervascular tumors arising from neural crest cells. Although surgery is known as the primary treatment, radiotherapy (RT) is preferred for large and inoperable tumors. This study evaluated the results and safety of RT. Methods: Fifteen patients with radiologically or histologically confirmed HNPG treated with RT between 2001 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Most patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with a median dose of 45 Gy. Treatment-related toxicities were graded according to CTCAE criteria. Local control (LC) was estimated with using Wilson score method. Results: With a median follow-up of 96 months, all patients achieved stable or improved symptomes, without local recurrence, resulting in a 100% LC rate. RT was well tolerated, with no acute or late toxicities ≥ grade 2. Conclusions: RT, particularly IMRT, provides excellent long-term LC with minimal toxicity in patients with HNPG. RT represents an effective and well-tolerated treatment option, especially for patients with unresectable disease or high surgical risk.

Background/Objectives: D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, is associated with tumor growth and metastasis. In breast cancer, high concentrations of D-dimer are linked to more advanced disease stages and metastatic spread. This research aimed to examine the relevance of D-dimer levels in estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study included patients with HR-positive breast carcinoma who underwent adjuvant or palliative radiotherapy in Türkiye. Pre- and post-radiotherapy blood test results, including D-dimer levels, were required. D-dimer, lymphocyte percentage, and interleukin-6 levels were measured for evaluation. All statistical analyses were performed using R software (version 4.4.2) to evaluate associations between D-dimer levels and other laboratory parameters. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to identify prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: Elevated D-dimer levels were associated with worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, advanced disease stages, metastasis, elevated IL-6 and CRP levels, and lower lymphocyte counts. Pre-RT D-dimer was a strong prognostic factor. Patients with D-dimer ≤ 0.3 µg/mL showed significantly superior OS and PFS (>60 months; p < 0.001), with only one event, and this remained significant in multivariate analysis (OS: HR 4.55, 95% CI 1.89–11.3; p = 0.002; PFS: HR 3.43, 95% CI 1.54–7.8; p = 0.004). Similarly, D-dimer ≤ 0.5 µg/mL was associated with improved OS (4/72 vs. 19/40 events; p < 0.001) and longer PFS, confirmed in multivariate analysis (OS: HR 4.37, 95% CI 1.72–9.86; p = 0.002; PFS: HR 3.88, 95% CI 1.67–9.1; p = 0.003), whereas levels > 0.5 µg/mL predicted worse outcomes. Using a 0.65 µg/mL cutoff, patients with D-dimer > 0.65 µg/mL had significantly shorter OS (median 25.5 months; 95% CI, 18–NA) compared with those ≤0.65 µg/mL (median not reached; p < 0.001), and this remained independently significant (OS: HR 5.10, 95% CI 1.9–13.6; p < 0.001; PFS: HR 4.68, 95% CI 1.83–11.9; p = 0.002). Conclusions: D-dimer is an accessible, non-invasive biomarker with predictive and prognostic significance in HR-positive breast cancer. Elevated D-dimer levels are suggestive of a more aggressive disease and poorer survival outcomes. This has the potential to facilitate early assessment of treatment efficacy and disease progression. This study has several limitations. Its retrospective, single-center design may introduce selection bias and limit generalizability. Although the sample size was sufficient to detect significant associations, validation in larger, multi-center cohorts is warranted to confirm the prognostic value of D-dimer.

Malign Mesothelioma is a tumor originating from serous lining. Although it was most commonly seen in pleura, it can also located in other areas such as peritoneal and rarely paratesticular region. Our case presented with pain and swelling in the right scrotal region. Tumor markers were within normal limits (Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP), Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Beta-HCG) and alkaline phosphatase). Ultrasonographic examination revealed that nodular masses which infiltrating tunica vaginalis. The largest diameter of the nodules was 5 cm. Radical orchiectomy was performed because of the tunica vaginalis invasion and tumor extensity. The patient was diagnosed as mesothelioma with morphological and immunohistochemical examination. Addition to classical epithelial component, accompanying sarcomatous component (%10) led us to give the biphasic mesothelioma diagnosis. It is difficult to make the diagnosis of mesothelioma to a patient with testicular mass without performing histopathological examination. The patients with widespread tumor nodules and having normal tumor markers mesothelial originated tumors should be taken into differantial diagnosis. For this reason we want to discuss our case with ıts histopathological features and clinical data under the light of the literature.

Objective: Several studies have shown that low‐dose radiotherapy (RT) might increase tumor invasion and metastases. Whereas multiple RT fields that increase low‐dose RT areas are often used to prevent damage to organs at risk. We carried out a clinical trial with the concern that low‐dose RT sites could increase invasions or metastases when multiple sites were used.Methods: A clinical retrospective study was carried out on 50 lung cancer patients with stage II–IIIB cancer, who underwent RT and/or chemotherapy, had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performances 1–3, were aged 45–87 years, and without metastases. RT was carried out for 5 days with 180–200 cGy fractions per day with a total dose of 54–66 Gy. The radiation dose volume areas V5, V10, V20, V40, V50, and V60 of lung were calculated and analyzed by Mann–Whitney U‐test and L par test on disease‐free and overall survival statistically.Results: It was determined that V5, V10, and V20, which constitute the low RT dose areas of the lung, positively affected the recurrence‐free and overall survival minimally according to r correlation values.Conclusion: Low‐dose RT volumes were positively affected minimally by recurrence‐free survival and overall survival in the present study. The effects of low‐dose radiation must be evaluated more clearly in studies.

Background: Lung carcinma, a serious disease commonly recognized at advanced stages and has less favorable outcomes to treatments. This research examines the association between D-dimer values and clinical variables in patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, with a focus on their prognostic significance and radiotherapy related outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational descriptive cohort study, including 142 patients with lung cancer. Aa comprehensive analysis, was conducted, including demographic variables,clinical staging, pathology, laboratuary tests, and D-dimer levels measured both before and after the administration of radiotherapy. Results: The findings indicated that high pre-RT D-dimer concentrations were significantly assoccciated with advanced stages of disease, worse response of radiotherapy, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and decreased survival outcomes. Radiotherapy response also affects to survival rates with D-dimer values. The findings from both univariate and multivariable survival analyses demonstrated that lower concentrations of D-dimer correlated with better response of radiotherapy, extended overall survival and progression free survival (p: < 0.001). Conclusion: These results illustrate the significant role of D-dimer as a valuable biomarker for assessing tumor burden and guiding radiotherapy and other treatment strategies in lung cancer, thereby necessitating further inquiry to evaluate its clinical implications.