Objective: In studies conducted on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, many factors such as age, stage, weight loss, lymph node, and pleural involvement have been shown to affect survival. On the other hand, systemic inflammation plays a critical role in proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Inflammation and nutrition-based prognostic scores are reported to be associated with survival in patients with NSCLC. The aim of our study is to show the effects of these scores on survival and disease progression in NSCLC patients. Subjects and Methods: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) values in 102 patients with stages 1, 2, and 3A NSCLC were analyzed retrospectively. Results: NLR (p < 0.001), PLR (p = 0.001), PNI (p < 0.001), and mGPS (p = 0.001) variables showed a statistically significant difference according to mortality groups. NLR and PLR values were higher in exitus patients. However, PNI values were higher in surviving patients. NLR (p < 0.001), PLR (p = 0.004), PNI (p = 0.001), and mGPS (p = 0.015) variables showed a statistically significant difference in terms of locoregional recurrence. PNI (p = 0.001) and mGPS (p = 0.001) in terms of distant metastasis development during follow-up and treatment showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: NLR, PLR, PNI, and mGPS are easily accessible noninvasive parameters and provide predictive information about survival and disease course. We showed the effect of these parameters on the prognosis.

Although chemotherapy significantly improves the quality of life and prolongs survival in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), relapse is almost inevitable, with only 5% of patients surviving two years after the initial diagnosis. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is considered for patients who achieve a complete response, as it has been shown to improve survival rates in this population. Recent studies have also demonstrated that adding PD-L1 inhibitors, such as atezolizumab or durvalumab, to chemotherapy in first-line treatment significantly enhances survival compared to chemotherapy alone. Our study was conducted retrospectively at a single center, including 280 patients with ES-SCLC who began therapy at our institution between July 2009 and February 2023. Patients who underwent thoracic residual radiotherapy (p< 0.001) and PCI (p< 0.001) showed statistically significant improvements in OS. In the first-line treatment group, the median overall survival (OS) for patients receiving cisplatin+etoposide was 12.0 months (10.71 - 13.28), while those treated with carboplatin+etoposide had a median OS of 7.0 months (4.58 - 9.41). For patients receiving carboplatin+etoposide+atezolizumab, the median OS was 35.0 months (21.32 - 48.67), and a statistically significant difference was observed (p< 0.001). In our study, the median OS was 7 months in patients who received ≤ 4 cycles of treatment in the first line and 14 months in patients who received > 4 cycles of treatment. After first-line treatment, the proportion of patients with progression-free survival (PFS) between 0 - 3 months was 21%, and between 3 - 6 months was 24%. PFS was notably worse in those with bone, liver, or brain metastases at diagnosis in the first-line treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that carboplatin+etoposide+atezolizumab in the first line and cisplatin+etoposide in the second line reduced the risk of both progression and death, while PCI reduced the risk of death. In conclusion, ES-SCLC remains one of the most challenging malignancies, characterized by poor survival rates and short progression-free intervals. Multiple factors influence OS and PFS, some of which are intrinsic to the patient and disease at diagnosis. In contrast, others, such as treatment modalities, the number of treatment cycles, and the application of radiotherapy, can be modified by clinicians.

Multiple myeloma is a type of plasma cell disorder and can be seen in different forms. According to current knowledge, it is not a curable disease. Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic clonal plasma cell disorder and distinguished from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance by a much higher risk of progression to multiple myeloma. We present a 53-year-old female patient who started with SMM which turned into multiple myeloma after four years. Despite 26 cycles of lenalidomide treatment, we performed the second autologous stem transplantation. After 12 years from the diagnosis of the disease, it was transformed into plasma cell leukemia and widespread nodular lesions were seen in the liver. Different presentations could be seen due to malignant plasma cell infiltrations or primary amyloidosis. Liver involvement is one of them and is less common than other organ involvement. We report a case of myeloma presenting with extensive nodular involvement in the liver and misdiagnosed as metastatic disease. It is important because of its rarity and change of the treatment approach.

Although microtubule inhibitors are generally used in advanced stages, they provide the opportunity to prolong survival as an alternative when medical oncologists have difficulty finding options in their patients, who typically have a poor prognosis and most of whom are unresponsive to treatment. For this reason, we wanted to investigate the effect of ixabepilone treatment on survival in earlier metastatic lines. Our study also examined the frequency of side effects and survival differences in patients whose dose was reduced or whose treatment was discontinued. Our study includes patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who received ixabepilone treatment between January 2011 and January 2021. Median overall survival (OS) in the group receiving ixabepilone on the 5th line and before was 22.0 months (95% CI: 21.0–22.9), in the group receiving ixabepilone after the 5th line was calculated as 10.0 months (95% CI: 8.9–11.0) (P < .001). Median OS (months) in the group receiving ixabepilone on the 4th line and before was 26.0 (95% CI: 23.6–28.3), in the group receiving ixabepilone after the 4th line was determined as 12.0 (95% CI: 10.5–13.4) (P < .001). Dose reduction or discontinuation of ixabepilone treatment in patients due to side effects did not affect OS and progression-free survival with ixabepilone statistically significantly. Ixabepilone treatment has side effects, similar to all other treatments used in metastatic breast cancer, however, these side effects are manageable. Additionally, since ixabepilone treatment is preferred in patients who have previously received many different chemotherapeutics and experienced cumulative toxicity, the side effects of ixabepilone may seem to be greater than they are. In our study, we showed that ixabepilone treatment has a statistically significant positive effect on survival if preferred in earlier metastatic lines. As similar studies increase in centers where ixabepilone treatment is generally given in advanced metastatic lines, treatment approaches may change in the coming years.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a rare disease caused by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection, that occurs in the elderly and more often in men. We aimed to compare the clinical and prognostic features of patients with classic and AIDS-related KS who have been followed in our clinic over the last 10 years and to present real-life data in first-line treatment. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 73 patients with KS, 57 with classic KS and 16 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related KS, who were followed up at our clinic between January 2014 and December 2023. Information analyzed included demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment modalities and prognosis of the patients. The median follow-up period was 44 months in the classic KS group and 20 months in the AIDS-related group. The median age at diagnosis of classic KS patients was 67 years and 82.5% of the patients were male. The median age at diagnosis of AIDS-related KS patients was 41 years and all patients were male. The majority of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and comorbidities were more common in the classic KS group. The most common site of involvement in both groups was the lower extremity. 48% and 69% of patients with classic KS and AIDS-related KS, respectively, received first-line systemic chemotherapy. All patients with AIDS-related KS received antiretroviral therapy. Paclitaxel was the most preferred first-line agent in both groups. An optimal overall response rate of 78% was achieved in patients with both classic KS and AIDS-related KS. 5-year overall survival was 75% in patients with classic KS and 93% in patients with AIDS-related KS. This real-world, single-center experience provides insight into the management of patients with KS in a developing country and highlights the need to improve access to standard first-line treatment.

Introduction: Our study delves into the intricate interplay of risk factors and the strategic selection of adjuvant therapy, scrutinizing their influence on recurrence and survival outcomes in stage IIA (T3N0M0) colon cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study examined the medical records of patients who underwent surgery for stage IIA colon cancer. Identification of stage IIA (pT3N0M0) colon cancer involved a comprehensive review of postoperative clinical records and histological reports. Parameters such as demographic data, tumor characteristics, microsatellite instability status, tumor locations, recurrence risk factors, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and adjuvant treatments were systematically evaluated. Results: In our study involving 220 patients, 138 were male (62.7%), with a median age of 62 years and a median body mass index of 25.1 kg/m2. In the patient group without risk factors, no statistically significant difference was detected in disease-free survival (DFS) rates between those who received treatment and those who did not (p = 0.546). DFS rates of patients with >1 risk factor were statistically significantly lower than those with a single risk factor (p = 0.017). In patients with >1 risk factor, the DFS of those who did not receive adjuvant treatment was significantly lower than those who received adjuvant treatment (p < 0.001). In the patient group with recurrence, when adjuvant treatments were considered, recurrence was significantly higher in the group receiving capecitabine (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The decision for adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIA colon cancer patients involves careful consideration of various parameters and risk factors. The evolving landscape of research may refine recommendations, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes while minimizing unnecessary toxicity.