Neoplastic disorders, particularly malignant carcinomas, are complex systemic diseases characterized by unregulated cellular proliferation, the invasion of adjacent tissues, and potential metastasis to distant bodily sites. Among the diverse spectrum of cancer subtypes, malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive form of cutaneous cancer originating in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells resident in the skin. This malignancy is distinguished by its rapid and uncontrolled growth, as well as its propensity for metastasis to vital organs, thereby posing significant challenges to therapeutic intervention and prognostication. Early detection of melanoma is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, as diagnosis at an advanced stage often yields a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Diagnostic modalities for melanoma encompass comprehensive clinical evaluations by dermatologists; radiological imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans; and excisional biopsies for accurate histopathological assessment. Malignant melanoma is typically treated with surgery to remove the tumor, followed by immunotherapy to enhance the immune response, targeted therapy for tumors with specific genetic mutations, chemotherapy for advanced stages, radiation therapy to manage metastasis, and other adjunct therapies. This review presents the properties and possible adjunct therapeutic effects against malignant melanoma of quercetin found in the literature and explores, based on the observed physicochemical properties and biological activity, its potential development as a topical formulation for cutaneous application. Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound abundant in various plant-based food sources, including apples, onions, berries, and citrus fruits, and has exhibited promising antiproliferative, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Its distinctive biochemical structure enables quercetin to effectively neutralize reactive oxygen species and modulate key carcinogenic pathways, thereby rendering it a potential candidate for therapeutic intervention in managing malignant tumors, including melanoma.

Breast cancer is the most frequent neoplasm among women and the second leading cause of death by cancer. It is the most frequent cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is defined as breast cancer that is diagnosed during pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period. Data about young women with metastatic HER2-positive cancer who desire a pregnancy are scarce. The medical attitude in these clinical situations is difficult and nonstandardized. We present the case of a 31-year-old premenopausal woman diagnosed in December 2016 with a stage IV Luminal HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (pT2 N0 M1 hep). The patient was initially treated by surgery in a conservative manner. Postoperatively, the presence of liver metastases was found by CT investigation. Consequently, line I treatment (docetaxel l75 mg/m² iv; trastuzumab 600 mg/5 mL sq) and ovarian drug suppression (Goserelin 3.6 mg sq at 28 days) was administered. After nine cycles of treatment, the patient’s liver metastases had a partial response to the therapy. Despite having a favorable disease evolution and a strong desire to procreate, the patient vehemently refused to continue any oncological treatment. The psychiatric consult highlighted an anxious and depressive reaction for which individual and couple psychotherapy sessions were recommended. After 10 months from the interruption of the oncological treatment, the patient appeared with an evolving pregnancy of 15 weeks. An abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of multiple liver metastases. Knowing all the possible effects, the patient consciously decided to postpone the proposed second-line treatment. In August 2018, the patient was admitted in the emergency department with malaise, diffuse abdominal pain and hepatic failure. Abdominal ultrasound found a 21-week-old pregnancy which had stopped in evolution, multiple liver metastases and ascites in large quantity. She was transferred to the ICU department where she perished just a few hours later. Conclusions/Discussion: From a psychological standpoint, the patient had an emotional hardship to make the transition from the status of a healthy person to the status of a sick person. Consequently, she entered a process of emotional protection of the positive cognitive distortion type, which favored the decision to abandon treatment and try to complete the pregnancy to the detriment of her own survival. The patient delayed the initiation of oncological treatment in pregnancy until it was too late. The consequence of this delay in treatment led to the death of the mother and fetus. A multidisciplinary team worked to provide this patient with the best medical care and psychological assistance throughout the course of the disease.

In the vast field of medical scientific research, few topics have managed to attract as much attention and mobilise academic resources as the use of dermal matrices in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. In this study, we used bibliographic metrics such as co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citations per document to analyse the relationship between the use of dermal matrices to reconstruct soft tissue defects caused by burns, tumours, and trauma. In addition, keyword analysis has highlighted the crucial role of technology in recent studies and the innovation brought about by the use of dermal matrices in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Keywords used in recent studies have revealed the critical role of technology in the development of the field. We extracted a set of 1329 research papers from the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2010 and 2024 that met our criteria. Through keyword analysis, we identified technology as a significant factor in recent studies. Our results showed that there is very little collaboration between authors on the topic and that most of them are from Asia. A significant number of articles on this topic come from the USA, China, Japan, Germany, the UK, and France. We discovered the top ten most cited sources analysing the use of dermal matrices in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Finally, we think that this study will be beneficial for our further research.

Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are widely used in soft-tissue reconstruction, yet the optimal timing for split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) remains unsettled. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study (January 2023–August 2025) of adults undergoing ADM-based reconstruction with Integra^® Double Layer (IDL), Integra^® Single Layer (ISL), or Nevelia^®. Primary endpoints included length of stay (LOS), STSG requirement and timing, and in-hospital complications; secondary endpoints included spontaneous epithelialization. Prespecified adjusted analyses (linear/logistic models) controlled for age, sex, etiology, anatomical site, diabetes/PAOD, smoking, wound size (when available), wound contamination, and matrix type. Histology and immunohistochemistry (H&E, Masson trichrome, CD105, D2-40) assessed matrix integration and vascular/lymphatic maturation. Seventy-five patients were included (IDL n = 40; ISL n = 20; Nevelia n = 15). On multivariable analysis, matrix type was not an independent predictor of LOS (ISL vs. IDL β = +2.84 days, 95% CI −17.34 to +23.02; Nevelia vs. IDL β = −4.49 days, 95% CI −16.24 to +7.26). Complications were infrequent (6/75, 8.0%) and comparable across matrices; spontaneous epithelialization occurred in 3/75 patients (4.0%). A day-14 grafting strategy, applied only after documented clinical integration, was feasible in 30/75 (40.0%) patients without excess complications. Histology/IHC at 3–4 weeks demonstrated CD105-positive, perfused capillary networks with abundant collagen; at 4–6 weeks, D2-40-positive lymphatic structures confirmed progressive neo-dermis maturation, supporting the biological plausibility of earlier grafting once integration criteria are met. In this cohort, outcomes were broadly similar across matrices after adjustment. A criteria-based early STSG approach (~day 14) appears safe and operationally advantageous when integration is confirmed, while a minority of defects may heal without grafting. Prospective multicenter studies with standardized scar/functional measures and cost analyses are needed to refine patient selection and graft timing strategies.

Background/Objectives: Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous lymphoma, often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific clinical features. Early diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. Methods: We report the case of a 31-year-old female with a chronic non-healing gluteal wound initially treated as an abscess. The lack of improvement prompted repeated investigations, culminating in the diagnosis of SPTCL with an alpha–beta T-cell phenotype. Results: Management involved combined chemotherapy and surgical wound reconstruction. Six cycles of CHOEP-21 chemotherapy led to complete clinical remission. A soft tissue defect superinfected with multidrug-resistant organisms was successfully reconstructed using Integra Dermal Regeneration Template followed by split-thickness skin grafting. Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of SPTCL and the therapeutic potential of dermal matrix application in complex wound management, especially in immuno-compromised patients.

Background: Breast cancer mortality and long-term survival are influenced by the unpredictability of recurrences, which cause significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for oncology teams. The risk of local and distant recurrence is higher in advanced stages and in the first two years following initial treatment. Accurate staging and continuous monitoring of recurrence are crucial for effective therapy planning. Indicators of recurrence, such as luminal subtype, disease stage, age, and treatment choice, can provide new knowledge and improve patient disease-free and overall survival rates. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with stage I-III invasive breast cancer at a regional-based institution. The study population consisted of 98 patients with distant and locoregional recurrences from a large cohort of 744 patients diagnosed and treated at our institution between 2007 and 2024. Data on previous treatment for breast cancer, disease stage, molecular subtype, initial size and location of the tumor in the breast, lymph node status, living environment, and type of recurrence were recorded retrospectively. Results: The recurrence patterns in 98 patients included local recurrence in 25 (25.5%), distant recurrence in 70 (71.4%), and both local and distant recurrence in three (3.1%). Our study showed that patients diagnosed with stage II (40.8%) or stage III (55.1%) breast cancer, as well as those with the luminal B subtype (43.87%), were more likely to experience recurrence. The majority of patients affected by recurrent disease were postmenopausal women aged between 51 and 70 years (32 cases aged 51–60 years and 34 cases aged 61–70 years). Tumors measuring between 2 and 5 cm were more likely to produce distant single-organ recurrence (26 cases). More cases were associated with urban areas (77 cases). Conclusions: In menopausal women, most causes of local breast cancer recurrence are related to advanced stage at diagnosis and luminal B subtype. Patient age, primary tumor location in the CSE, and previous adjuvant treatment with aromatase inhibitors may affect the risk of recurrence. Comprehensive studies on recurrence in postmenopausal women can provide a more precise understanding of the extent of disease in such patients.