Raluca Chirculescu

Dr. Raluca Chirculescu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 August 2022 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Nicolae GicaNicolae Gica
Nicolae Gica
GPGheorghe Peltecu
Gheorghe Peltecu
RCRaluca Chirculescu
Raluca Chirculescu
CGCorina Gică
Corina Gică
MSMihai Ciprian Stoicea
Mihai Ciprian Stoicea
Ana-Maria ZagreanAna-Maria Zagrean
Ana-Maria Zagrean
Ovarian germ cell tumors of the ovary represent a histologically heterogenous group of tumors with a high incidence at reproductive age. Patients with this pathology are very often young women with amenorrhea. The aim of this article is to present a pictorial essay of this rare pathology and to promote a national tumor registry and protocol. The treatment is individualized according to age, and fertility-sparing surgery is the actual standard of surgical treatment for young patients in early stage of the disease.

26 December 2021 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
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LMLaura Mustata
Laura Mustata
Nicolae GicaNicolae Gica
Nicolae Gica
Radu BotezatuRadu Botezatu
Radu Botezatu
RCRaluca Chirculescu
Raluca Chirculescu
CGCorina Gică
Corina Gică
Ana-Maria ZagreanAna-Maria Zagrean
Ana-Maria Zagrean
Phyllodes Tumor (PT) is a rare fibroepithelial breast tumor that can behave differently depending on its biologic features. Traditionally, PTs are classified by their histologic features into benign, borderline, and malignant. In most cases that were reported, all PTs may recur, but only the borderline and malignant PT can metastasize. PT usually occurs as a breast lump or accidental finding on ultrasound (US) examination. The clinical features include a well-defined breast mass, regular or lobulated. The diagnosis is based on the integration of morphology features, but remains challenging, particularly in the distinction from fibroadenomas. We report a case of a 36-year-old patient who presented for a voluminous breast mass, rapidly growing in the past 3–4 months. At presentation, the patient was 19 weeks pregnant. The breast tumor had the clinical and US aspect of PT. A core needle biopsy was obtained, confirming a benign PT, and local excision was performed with no postoperative complications. The final pathology report showed a borderline PT with close resection margins of 1 mm. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) established the diagnosis of malignant PT with heterologous sarcomatous differentiation. The case was discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor board (MDT) and mastectomy was recommended. The patient fully consented but refused surgery at 25 weeks’ gestation, fearing premature delivery. The right breast was closely monitored by US, and at 9 weeks after the first surgery, signs of local recurrence were detected. At 35 weeks’ gestation, right mastectomy was performed, with no perioperative complications. The pregnancy was closely followed up and no complication were found. The final pathology report describes multiples PT recurrences with heterologous sarcomatous differentiation. The pregnancy outcome was uneventful, and the patient delivered a healthy child vaginally at term with no peripartum complication. Postpartum, a computer tomography (CT) examination of the head, thorax, abdomen and pelvis was performed, with no evidence of metastases. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy completed the treatment. The follow-up and CT scan showed no metastases or further recurrence 4 years after diagnosis. In conclusion, diagnosis of PT can be difficult, especially because of the easy confusion with fibroadenoma of the breast. There are rare cases when a pathology exam needs further assessment and IHC is recommended for accurate diagnosis. Although malignant PT is rare and accounts for <1% of all breast cancers, the diagnosis and treatment that are recommended are based on the reported cases. Moreover, when complete surgical excision is achieved, the rates of recurrence and distant metastases are low, and adjuvant therapy might not be necessary.

18 May 2025 in Children
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Journal Article
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RCRaluca Chirculescu
Raluca Chirculescu
RSRuxandra Viorica Stănculescu
Ruxandra Viorica Stănculescu
PBPaul Cristian Bălănescu
Paul Cristian Bălănescu
GPGheorghe Peltecu
Gheorghe Peltecu
This research aimed to assess the influence of prenatal and postnatal factors on the remodeling of the pulmonary microvasculature. Methods: The investigation analyzed 67 cases of preterm infants, whose lifespans ranged from 1 day to 149 days. After selecting the cases from the autopsy database, two lung tissue microarrays were created. Histological slides were stained using the hematoxylin and eosin technique to precisely capture the microscopic details. For the assessment of pulmonary microvascularization and the media layer of the vascular walls, an immunohistochemical analysis was performed utilizing CD34 and SMA markers. Results: Following the assessment of the quantity of capillaries positive for CD34, a negative correlation was identified between the average capillary count per alveolus and the duration of oxygen therapy. Preterm infants who developed pulmonary fibrosis exhibited an average reduction of 5.43 capillaries in comparison to other newborns. Preterm neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia exhibited an average reduction of 2.82 capillaries compared to those born to mothers unaffected by this pregnancy complication. A positive correlation was evident between increased thickness of the arteriolar media, lifespan, and the duration of oxygen therapy, as well as in those preterm infants who developed pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions: Antenatal risk factors did not exert a significant impact on pulmonary vascular remodeling, whereas postnatal influences, particularly oxygen therapy, demonstrated a detrimental effect on the density of capillary structures within the alveolocapillary membrane. Premature neonates with increased thickness of the arteriolar media had a greater susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension.

26 September 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Nicolae GicaNicolae Gica
Nicolae Gica
IBIoana Stefania Bostan
Ioana Stefania Bostan
GGGeorge-Dumitru Gheoca
George-Dumitru Gheoca
RCRaluca Chirculescu
Raluca Chirculescu
ABAlexandru-Gabriel Bran
Alexandru-Gabriel Bran
CMClaudia Mehedintu
Claudia Mehedintu
Background: Polypoid endometriosis is a rare variant of endometriosis that presents as a tumorous mass, making it difficult to differentiate it from a malignant tumor. It usually occurs in perimenopausal women or those undergoing hormone therapy, and its presence in a young pregnant woman is extremely uncommon. Case Presentation: This article describes a rare instance of polypoid ovarian endometriosis in a pregnant woman, a condition with few documented cases in the medical literature. An adnexal mass was discovered incidentally during a routine prenatal ultrasound, with imaging features that raised the suspicion of a neoplastic process and prompted surgery to exclude malignancy. However, histopathological examination of the excised lesion confirmed features compatible with polypoid endometriosis, without revealing evidence of cancer. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of differentiating polypoid endometriosis from ovarian neoplasms, especially during gestation, where imaging findings can be ambiguous. In addition, the hormonal environment inherent in pregnancy may exacerbate the proliferative behavior of endometriotic lesions, thus complicating clinical evaluations. The presence of an adnexal mass in such a setting often requires careful evaluation to balance the risks of surgery with the potential consequences of delayed diagnosis. The data presented emphasize the importance of an accurate diagnosis. In conclusion, a well-coordinated approach ensures the protection of maternal and fetal health. Conclusions: By prioritizing accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans, physicians can minimize complications and improve outcomes for both mother and child.

1 April 2025 in Journal of Medicine and Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
RCRaluca Chirculescu
Raluca Chirculescu
PBPaul Cristian Balanescu
Paul Cristian Balanescu
GPGheorghe Peltecu
Gheorghe Peltecu
Prenatal care aims to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby by closely watching for potential problems and addressing them promptly. A lack of