Background: The hypopharyngeal region is among the most aggressive sites of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, often presenting at an advanced stage with poor survival outcomes. However, there are only a limited number of biomarkers available to predict the prognosis of this aggressive disease. Recent interest has focused on immunonutritional biomarkers that may improve prognostication. The C-reactive protein–albumin–lymphocyte (CALLY) index has emerged as a composite biomarker integrating systemic inflammation, nutritional status, and immune competence. However, its clinical relevance in hypopharyngeal cancer has not been established. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included patients with histologically confirmed hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy between 2010 and 2024. Patients were excluded from the study if they had incomplete laboratory data, had a concomitant malignancy, were undergoing induction chemotherapy, or had diseases affecting inflammatory and immunological markers. The CALLY index was calculated using pre-treatment laboratory values. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined the optimal cut-off value for overall survival (OS). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and Cox regression analyses were used to assess associations between the CALLY index and progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and OS. Results: A total of 71 patients were included. The optimal CALLY cut-off was 1.47 (AUC = 0.70, p = 0.006). Patients with a CALLY index ≥ 1.47 had significantly improved median PFS (37 vs. 9 months, p = 0.003), LRFS (39 vs. 9 months, p = 0.002), and OS (61 vs. 11 months, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, the CALLY index and T stage remained independent prognostic factors of all three survival outcomes. Conclusions: The pretreatment CALLY index is a practical, accessible biomarker that independently predicts survival in hypopharyngeal cancer. Its integration into clinical practice may enhance risk stratification and guide individualized management strategies.

Purpose: The deep inspiration breath‐hold (DIBH) technique, a method used to minimize radiation exposure to normal tissues in breast cancer patients, has primarily been applied to patients with left breast cancer. However, this study, with its unique focus on right breast cancer, aims to evaluate the potential benefits of DIBH on the right coronary artery (RCA), cardiac substructures, and liver dose in right breast cancer radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Forty right‐sided breast cancer patients were included in this study. Radiotherapy planning using 3D, IMRT, and VMAT was performed using both free‐breathing (FB) and DIBH techniques. Two treatment plans were generated per patient, and organ‐at‐risk (OAR) doses were compared using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Patients were analyzed based on regional nodal irradiation (RNI) status. Results: The mean radiation doses (Dmean) to the liver, ipsilateral lung, heart, and RCA region were 5.4, 15.9, 2.5, and 6 Gy with FB, decreasing to 4.6, 12.6, 1.6, and 3.6 Gy with DIBH. For the left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, and right atrium, the Dmean values were 1.2, 2.2, 2, and 4.6 Gy with FB, versus 0.76, 1.8 Gy, 1.2, and 3.2 Gy with DIBH. DIBH significantly reduced liver and lung doses in all patients, while heart and RCA doses reductions were observed only in those receiving RNI. Conclusion: The use of the DIBH technique can significantly reduce radiation exposure to OARs in right‐sided breast cancer radiotherapy. Despite a slight increase in treatment duration, DIBH should be considered for right breast cancer radiotherapy to minimize radiation‐related toxicity.

Background: Parotid gland tumors pose diagnostic and surgical challenges due to their histological heterogeneity and proximity to the facial nerve. This study aimed to evaluate clinicopathological features and postoperative outcomes with a specific focus on facial nerve function in patients undergoing parotidectomy. Methods: This retrospective study included 314 patients who underwent parotidectomy between 2008 and 2024 at a tertiary center. Demographic data, tumor histology, and postoperative complications—particularly facial nerve paralysis within the first three months—were analyzed. Histopathological features including capsular, perineural, and lymphovascular invasion were also assessed. Results: Of all cases, 79% were benign, 14.6% malignant, and 6.4% non-neoplastic. Pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor were the most common benign entities, while mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent malignancy. Malignant tumors were associated with higher rates of positive surgical margins (44.2% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001), capsular invasion (25% vs. 7%, p < 0.001), and tumor necrosis (22% vs. <1%, p < 0.001). Facial paralysis occurred in 4.4% of patients, largely transient and significantly associated with malignant tumors (p < 0.001) and extensive lymph node dissection (p < 0.001). Capsular invasion and necrosis were rare in benign lesions but still observed, especially in pleomorphic adenoma. Conclusions: Histopathologic aggressiveness markers were associated with malignant disease and postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. These findings support a risk-stratified approach to follow-up: all patients undergo universal early assessment at two weeks and three months, after which surveillance intensity may be individualized according to histopathologic features—such as necrosis, perineural invasion, capsular invasion, or positive margins.

Background: Surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with temozolomide is the standard treatment for glioblastoma patients. But, the time between surgery and CRT is still a controversial issue. This study investigated the impact of delay in CRT after surgery on overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Patients and methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with IDH-wild type glioblastoma, who received 60 Gy concomitant CRT with temozolomide were included in the study. Exclusion criteria include patients who underwent biopsy only, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status > 1, or presented with multicentric tumors. The interval between surgery and CRT was categorized according to 42 days, and delays after this point were defined as delayed treatment initiation. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression models. Results: The median OS for the regular and delayed groups was 18 and 19 months, and the PFS was 11.8 and 14.6 months, respectively. Delayed patients showed better PFS, but no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of OS and PFS (p = 0.149, p = 0.076). In multivariate analysis, ECOG performance score 1 and subtotal resection were associated with poor prognosis for both OS and PFS (for OS p = 0.031, p < 0.001; for PFS p = 0.038, p = 0.029). When the time from surgery to CRT was analyzed according to the extent of surgery, no significant difference was observed in OS and PFS (p = 0.068, P = 0.057). Conclusions: Our findings showed that delays of more than 42 days in adjuvant CRT did not affect OS or PFS. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of delayed adjuvant therapy in patients with subtotal resection.

Purpose: Mucositis management has an important place in the treatment of these cancer patients. Therefore, the aim of our study is to examine the effect of honey treatment on oral mucositis management in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy. Methods: The study was planned as a randomized controlled, single-blind, parallel group study. The study was conducted on 32 patients with 16 patients in each parallel group. Five data collection tools were used to collect the research data. Patient Identification Form , Researcher Mucositis Index, VAS- Pain, Honey Management Monitoring Chart (given to the patients in the treatment group). Oral Care Management Follow-up Form (given to the patients in the control group). Results: The number of days with mucositis was similar in both parallel groups (Honey Group / Mean ± SD: 14.88 ± 7.36, Bicarbonate Group / Mean ± SD: 14.38 ± 6.33). Conclusion: Honey application has not been found to be superior to bicarbonate mouthwash on the development and staging of oral mucositis.