Background: Early cancer detection remains a critical challenge in clinical oncology, requiring further development of innovative diagnostic methods with improved sensitivity and specificity. This study addresses the issue by investigating the potential of exhaled air metabolome analysis, using highly porous carbon material for sample collection, as a promising approach for the early diagnosis of laryngeal cancer. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled breath are known to reflect underlying metabolic changes. This research explores the feasibility of using VOC-derived metabolomic signatures as non-invasive biomarkers for cancer detection. Methods: The primary objective was to evaluate exhaled air metabolome analysis as a diagnostic tool for individuals at risk of respiratory tract malignancies. The study involved 36 participants, including 13 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and 23 healthy individuals serving as a control group. Breath samples were collected using a highly porous carbon material, selected for its superior sorption properties, enabling efficient capture and stabilization of VOCs. These samples were subsequently analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify and compare VOC patterns between the two groups. Results: Preliminary analysis revealed apparent differences in VOC profiles between cancer patients and healthy individuals, with cancer patients exhibiting elevated peak intensities for specific metabolites such as diethyl phthalate, nonadecane, and trimethyl-dodecane. Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated separation between the two groups, reflecting systematic differences in exhaled VOC signatures. Conclusions: This initial study supports the potential of breath VOC profiling for laryngeal cancer detection, laying the groundwork for further validation and refinement of this diagnostic approach. The use of porous carbon material facilitated efficient VOC capture, supporting its role in non-invasive breath analysis.

Background/Objectives: Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among men, with a significant proportion progressing to metastatic disease. Traditional treatments for metastatic prostate cancer have primarily been palliative, focusing on symptom relief. However, recent advances in radiotherapy have shown promise in improving outcomes for these patients. Methods: This study presents a modern treatment plan for extensive metastatic prostate cancer. Pre-treatment imaging revealed extensive lymph node metastases and high metabolic activity in the prostate. The treatment regimen included bicalutamide, androgen deprivation therapy with leuprorelin, and six cycles of docetaxel chemotherapy, followed by a targeted radiotherapy regimen aimed at both the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. Results: Following the comprehensive radiotherapy regimen, the patient’s PSA level dropped below the edge of detection, indicating complete biochemical remission. Follow-up imaging and clinical assessments confirmed the absence of active metastatic sites. Conclusions: The findings support the integration of radiotherapy into comprehensive treatment plans for metastatic prostate cancer, demonstrating that radiotherapy can achieve complete remission even in patients with extensive metastatic disease. This suggests a need for re-evaluating traditional approaches and exploring more personalized, multimodal treatment strategies. Enhanced imaging techniques, such as PET/PSMA scans, play a crucial role in accurately targeting metastatic sites, enabling more effective and individualized treatment.

In professional water polo, understanding the effects of ball wettability on game dynamics is essential but remains insufficiently investigated. This research aims to evaluate how the surface wettability of various professional water polo balls could influence their behavior during play. The study employed a combination of laboratory measurements to assess the wettability of multiple ball brands using the sessile drop method under standardized conditions. FTIR spectroscopy was also performed to characterize the surface chemical composition and support the interpretation of wettability differences observed in contact angle measurements. Performance-related parameters, including static contact angle values and droplet behavior during measurement, were analyzed in relation to surface chemistry and material composition. Significant variability in wettability was observed across different ball brands. These differences indicate that surface properties may play an important role in modulating ball–water interaction mechanisms, which are influenced by both chemical composition and surface morphology. Based on these results, we propose including wettability-related parameters in the official water polo equipment guidelines, which currently cover only size, weight, and material composition. This adjustment could help standardize ball behavior across competitive play, leading to more consistent and fair conditions. This study extends current knowledge of the physical factors influencing sports performance and suggests practical improvements to enhance fairness and quality in water polo competitions.