Cardiac metastases are rare but devastating complications of malignancies. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), particularly from non-pulmonary origins, infrequently metastasizes to the heart, making its cardiac involvement an unusual and underreported phenomenon. We present a case series of four patients diagnosed with myocardial and endocardial metastases from SCC at our center over two years. Clinical presentation, imaging modalities, suspected metastatic pathways, management strategies, and outcomes were analyzed. Patients (ages 41–74, three males, one female) had primary SCC in the vulva, tongue, buccal mucosa, and lung. Symptoms varied, including dyspnea, hypotension, chest pain, and stroke. All patients had elevated troponin levels. Echocardiography was crucial for initial detection, while PET/CT confirmed metastases, with one patient undergoing cardiac MRI. Hematogenous spread was likely metastatic pathway in most cases. Treatment was primarily palliative; only one patient received chemotherapy post-diagnosis. Survival post-cardiac metastasis diagnosis ranged from a few days to six months. Myocardial and endocardial metastases from SCC are rare and often indicate advanced disease with poor prognosis. Early recognition through multimodal imaging and biomarkers such as troponin may facilitate timely palliative interventions. Increased collaboration between oncology and cardiology may improve supportive care and symptom management in these patients.

Pneumopericardium, the presence of air within the pericardial sac, is a rare but critical condition that can lead to severe complications such as tension pneumopericardium and cardiac tamponade, causing hemodynamic instability and necessitating immediate intervention. Various etiologies include congenital defects, post-surgical complications, infections, and trauma. Malignancies, such as advanced esophageal cancer or lung carcinoma, can also cause pneumopericardium via fistula formation. Multimodal imaging, including chest X-ray, echocardiography, and computed tomography (CT), is essential for diagnosis. This case report discusses a 65-year-old male with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who developed pneumopericardium following the removal of a left lobe liver drainage catheter. Initial CT imaging revealed liver lesions suspicious for metastatic disease or abscess, leading to drainage procedures. Following the removal of the drainage tube, the patient experienced respiratory distress and hypotension, and computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) revealed pneumopericardium, likely due to a fistula formed between the abscess and pericardium. Despite no echocardiographic signs of tamponade, the patient’s persistent hypotension warranted CT-guided pericardiocentesis, resulting in gradual blood pressure improvement. This case highlights the intricate interplay between malignancy, infection, and procedural complications in developing pneumopericardium. It emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach and the importance of considering both the quantity and rate of air accumulation when assessing the risk of hemodynamic compromise. The patient’s hemodynamic instability and subsequent improvement following pericardiocentesis underscore the critical role of timely intervention in managing this condition.

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a significant complication of cancer therapy. While several factors contribute to its development, th

Background: Graviola emerged as a promising anticancer agent, with nanotechnology enhancing drugs’ therapeutic potential. The purpose of this work was to explore graviola extract and its nano-platform’s effects on tongue carcinoma (SCC154 cells) in vitro model. Methods: Graviola leaves extract (GLE) was isolated, and its phenolic content was identified. Three nano-formulations (F1-F3) were optimized for GLE delivery, with F1 chosen for its optimal size and stability to synthesize graviola nanoparticles (GNPs). SCC154 cells were split into three groups: group Ι (untreated SCC154 cells), group ΙΙ: SCC154 cells + ethanolic GLE, and group ΙΙΙ: SCC154 cells + GLE encapsulated in a nano-void delivery system (GNPs). In vitro tests assessed cell viability via MTT assay, cell cycle, and apoptosis by flow cytometry, DNA damage using comet assay, and gene expression of the key molecular markers (PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and GSK-3β) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Transmission electron microscopic examination of cells was also performed. Results: GLE and GNPs reduced SCC154 cells’ proliferation compared to untreated cells, with GNPs showing significantly higher cytotoxicity. Both treatments also induced apoptosis, arrested the cell cycle, and caused DNA damage with a significant pronounced effect in the GNPs-treated group. Gene expression analysis revealed a substantial decline in PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and GSK-3β in both treated groups relative to the control group, with a significant downregulation in the GNPs-treated group. Ultrastructural examination revealed severe destruction in tongue carcinoma cells of both treated groups, with substantial damage in the GNPs-treated group. Conclusion: GNPs showed a better impact than GLE in tongue carcinoma therapy, causing cytotoxicity and apoptosis, potentially through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Background: Obesity is a known cardiovascular risk factor, yet its role in predicting chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate body mass index (BMI) as an independent risk factor for cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 133 patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab between 2022 and 2025. After excluding individuals with major cardiovascular comorbidities, 65 patients who developed CTRCD were matched with 68 controls who completed therapy without cardiotoxicity. CTRCD was defined according to the European Society of Cardiology using echocardiographic and biomarker assessments. BMI was categorized according to the World Health Organization, and its association with CTRCD risk and severity was analyzed. Results: No statistically significant difference in baseline BMI was observed between the CTRCD (29.6 ± 7.6) and control (30.5 ± 10.2; P = 0.62) groups, suggesting that BMI alone does not independently predict the development of CTRCD. However, in the CTRCD group, patients with moderate/severe dysfunction had significantly higher BMIs than those with mild CTRCD (32.1 ± 8.2 vs. 28.9 ± 6.8; P = 0.04). A trend suggesting a synergistic interaction between obesity and anthracycline use was observed ( P = 0.08). Conclusion: BMI was not an independent predictor of CTRCD occurrence in this cohort, but a higher BMI was associated with increased severity of cardiotoxicity. Our findings suggest that traditional definitions of obesity based solely on BMI may not adequately reflect cardiometabolic risk in cancer patients. Future studies should focus on fat distribution and metabolic health markers.

Telehealth, the use of telecommunications technology and electronic information to aid in healthcare delivery, has revolutionized patient care. Health communities have already approved telemedicine for treating certain acute and chronic diseases, while teledentistry has emerged as a distinct field within the broader scope of telemedicine. Numerous trials have demonstrated the value of teledentistry in reducing dental expenses and expanding dental care access to remote and rural areas. With technological advancements, teledentistry holds the potential to further enhance dental services and patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought healthcare to the forefront of public concern. The need for close face-to-face contact with patients largely led to the suspension of dentistry services. However, the increased use of cell phones and related software packages integrated into "teledentistry" has facilitated easier clinical data exchange between patients and clinicians. This technology proved invaluable for dentists managing dental emergencies during lockdowns, providing an innovative means to resume dental practice. As a result, integrating teledentistry into routine dental practice as a complement to the existing dental system is advisable. It has the potential to revolutionize dental care for the better by expanding access to care and decreasing expenses. Given these circumstances, this review discusses the value and implications of teledentistry, highlighting its potential as a game-changing solution for the dental industry.