The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in modulating the efficacy and toxicity of cancer therapies, particularly in hematological malignancies. This review examines the dynamic interplay between gut microbiota and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Disruptions in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, are associated with adverse effects like gastrointestinal toxicity, neutropenia and cardiotoxicity during chemotherapy. Conversely, the supplementation of probiotics has shown potential in mitigating these side effects by enhancing gut barrier function and regulating immune responses. In HSCT, a higher diversity of gut microbiota is linked to better patient outcomes, including reduced graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and improved survival rates. The microbiome also influences the efficacy of immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapy, by modulating immune pathways. Research suggests that certain bacteria, including Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila, enhance therapeutic responses by promoting immune activation. Given these findings, modulating the gut microbiome could represent a novel strategy for improving cancer treatment outcomes. The growing understanding of the microbiome’s impact on cancer therapy underscores its potential as a target for personalized medicine and offers new opportunities to optimize treatment efficacy while minimizing toxic side effects.

Fat grafting has gained prominence in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, necessitating accurate assessment methods for evaluating graft volume retention. This paper reviews various techniques for assessing fat and fat grafts, including their benefits and limitations. Three-dimensional (3D) scanning offers highly accurate, non-invasive volumetric assessments with minimal interference from breathing patterns. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recognized as the gold standard, providing precise volumetric evaluations and sensitivity to complications like oil cysts and necrosis. Computed tomography (CT) is useful for fat volume assessment but may overestimate retention rates. Ultrasonography presents a reliable, non-invasive method for measuring subcutaneous fat thickness. Other methods, such as digital imaging, histological analysis, and weight estimation, contribute to fat graft quantification. The integration of these methodologies is essential for advancing fat graft assessment, promoting standardized practices, and improving patient outcomes in clinical settings.

Background: Autologous fat grafting is increasingly used in irradiated postmastectomy tissues, but objective imaging-based data describing structural remodeling remain limited. Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate ultrasound detectable structural changes following autologous fat grafting in irradiated postmastectomy chest wall tissues. Methods: This prospective pilot study included five female patients with prior radical mastectomy and adjuvant chest wall radiotherapy who underwent a single-session of autologous fat grafting. High-resolution ultrasound was performed preoperatively and at 3–5 months postoperatively using a 12 MHz linear probe. Parameters evaluated included hypodermal thickness, echogenicity (hyperechoic versus hypoechoic patterns), fascial definition, and fibrotic patterns. Results: All patients demonstrated a consistent postoperative increase in hypodermal thickness. Preoperative compact, hyperechogenic architecture transitioned to heterogeneous hypoechogenic patterns suggestive of viable adipose tissue integration consistent with viable adipose tissue. Fascial planes became more clearly defined in four patients. No necrosis, oil cysts, or fluid collections were detected. Conclusions: In this pilot cohort, ultrasound detected consistent postoperative changes in hypodermal thickness, echogenicity, and fascial definition following autologous fat grafting. These findings support the feasibility of ultrasound for the non-invasive assessment of post-radiotherapy structural tissue changes.

Breast thread lifting is a minimally invasive technique for correcting mild to moderate ptosis, offering aesthetic enhancement with reduced morbidity compared to traditional mastopexy. This review examines the anatomical underpinnings, clinical indications, technical nuances and limitations of breast thread lifting. The breast’s fascial architecture, particularly the role of Cooper’s ligaments and the retromammary space, critically influences thread trajectory and vector planning. Classification systems assist in proper patient selection, highlighting the suitability of thread lifts for Grades I–II ptosis with minimal skin excess. Advances in ultrasonography have improved preoperative planning, thread placement accuracy and postoperative monitoring. Various thread types, including PDO, PLLA, PCL and Silhouette Soft, offer different lifting capacities and collagen-stimulatory properties, necessitating tailored material selection. Although thread lifts offer immediate improvements, their transient nature necessitates careful patient counseling to manage expectations regarding durability and potential maintenance sessions. Innovative techniques, including clavicular anchoring and multi-level subdermal scaffolding, have expanded the procedural repertoire. Despite certain limitations, breast thread lifting remains a valuable tool within the aesthetic surgeon’s armamentarium, particularly for patients seeking minimally invasive options with shortened recovery periods and favorable psychosocial outcomes. Future developments are expected to further enhance safety, reproducibility and long-term results.

Radiation-associated soft tissue fibrosis represents a progressive structural remodeling process characterized by extracellular matrix accumulation, septal thickening, and reduced tissue compliance, which complicates reconstructive interventions. Reliable longitudinal experimental frameworks capable of non-invasive structural monitoring remain limited. This study aimed to develop and implement a standardized ultrasonographic protocol for the evaluation of bleomycin-induced subcutaneous fibrosis and to assess remodeling dynamics following autologous fat grafting in a rat model. Twenty-two adult female Wistar rats were included. Subcutaneous fibrosis was induced using submaximal bleomycin administration (1 mg/kg/day for three consecutive days). High-frequency ultrasonography (12 MHz) was performed at baseline (Day 0), post-bleomycin (Day 17), and post-lipofilling (Day 31). A predefined semi-quantitative 0–3 scoring system was applied to characterize global echogenicity, septal thickening, and architectural organization. At Day 17, all animals demonstrated structural alteration with a mean score of 2.15 ± 0.58. At Day 31, the mean score decreased to 1.50 ± 0.50, with complete disappearance of high-grade architectural disorganization (score 3). Focal hypoechoic areas consistent with graft integration were observed in 88.9% of animals without ultrasonographic signs of necrosis or fluid collection. This standardized imaging-based framework enables reproducible longitudinal monitoring of early-stage subcutaneous fibrotic remodeling and provides a non-invasive tool for evaluating regenerative interventions in translational soft tissue engineering research.

Background/Objectives: Radiotherapy of the chest wall after mastectomy frequently leads to fibrosis, reduced tissue elasticity, erythema, pain and chronic skin-related symptoms that complicate reconstructive strategies. Autologous fat grafting has been proposed as a regenerative option for radiation induced soft tissue damage, but clinical data focused on patient-reported symptoms remain limited. The objective of this study was to describe symptomatic and clinical changes after autologous fat grafting in irradiated postmastectomy chest wall tissue. Methods: This pilot observational study included five female patients with a history of mastectomy followed by adjuvant chest wall radiotherapy. All patients underwent a single session of standard autologous fat grafting without adipose derived stem cell enrichment. Patient-reported symptoms, including pruritus, local discomfort, burning sensation and erythema, were recorded preoperatively and at six months using a standardized 0 to 5 scale. Scar pliability was assessed by two experienced physicians using the same scale. Only descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: All patients demonstrated lower postoperative symptom scores at six months. Mean reductions were observed for erythema (71.4 percent), burning sensation (61.1 percent) and pruritus (57.1 percent). Local discomfort decreased by 33.3 percent. Mean scar pliability scores increased from 2.2 to 3.2. No postoperative complications, such as infection, fat necrosis or oil cyst formation, were recorded. All patients completed the six month follow up. Conclusions: In this small pilot observational study, autologous fat grafting was well tolerated and associated with descriptive improvement of patient-reported symptoms and scar pliability in irradiated postmastectomy chest wall tissue. These findings suggest a potential symptomatic benefit of fat grafting, while larger studies with objective imaging and histological correlation are required to confirm efficacy and durability.