INTRODUCTION: The most recent local study on the incidence of histological subtypes of all brain and spinal tumours treated surgically was published in 2000. In view of the outdated data, we investigated the presenting characteristics, histological subtypes and outcomes of adult patients who underwent surgery for brain or spinal tumours at our institution. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective review of 501 patients who underwent surgery for brain or spinal tumours from 2016 to 2020 was conducted. The inclusion criteria were (a) patients who had a brain or spinal tumour that was histologically verified and (b) patients who were aged 18 years and above at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-five patients (86.8%) had brain tumours and 66 patients (13.2%) had spinal tumours. Patients with brain tumours frequently presented with cranial nerve palsy, headache and weakness, while patients with spinal tumours frequently presented with weakness, numbness and back pain. Overall, the most common histological types of brain and spinal tumours were metastases, meningiomas and tumours of the sellar region. The most common complications after surgery were cerebrospinal fluid leak, diabetes insipidus and urinary tract infection. In addition, 15.2% of the brain tumours and 13.6% of the spinal tumours recurred, while 25.7% of patients with brain tumours and 18.2% of patients with spinal tumours died. High-grade gliomas and metastases had the poorest survival and highest recurrence rates. CONCLUSION This study serves as a comprehensive update of the epidemiology of brain and spinal tumours and could help guide further studies on brain and spinal tumours.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Postoperative Complications ; Young Adult ; Spinal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of central nervous system (CNS) invasion in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and construct a risk prediction model for CNS invasion. METHODS: Clinical data of 395 patients with PTCL diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The median follow-up time of 395 PTCL patients was 24(1-143) months. There were 13 patients diagnosed CNS invasion, and the incidence was 3.3%. The risk of CNS invasion varied according to pathological subtype. The incidence of CNS invasion in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) was significantly higher than in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) (P <0.05). The median overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with CNS invasion than in those without CNS involvement, with a median survival time of 2.4(0.6-127) months after diagnosis of CNS invasion. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis showed that more than 1 extranodal involvement (HR=4.486, 95%CI : 1.166-17.264, P =0.029), ALCL subtype (HR=9.022, 95%CI : 2.289-35.557, P =0.002) and ECOG PS >1 (HR=15.890, 95%CI : 4.409-57.262, P <0.001) were independent risk factors for CNS invasion in PTCL patients. Each of these risk factors was assigned a value of 1 point and a new prediction model was constructed. It could stratify the patients into three distinct groups: low-risk group (0-1 point), intermediate-risk group (2 points) and high-risk group (3 points). The 1-year cumulative incidence of CNS invasion in the high-risk group was as high as 50.0%. Further evaluation of the model showed good discrimination and accuracy, and the consistency index was 0.913 (95%CI : 0.843-0.984). CONCLUSION The new model shows a precise risk assessment for CNS invasion prediction, while its specificity and sensitivity need further data validation.
Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Male ; Female ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) combined with interleukin 10 (IL-10) in predicting central nervous system infiltration (CNSI) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: The clinical data of 63 patients with DLBCL in our hospital from May 2021 to April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The 63 patients were divided into CNSI group (15 cases) and non-CNSI group (48 cases) base on whether CNSI occurred. The age, sex, Ann Arbor stage, ECOG score, IPI risk, CNS-IPI risk, number of extranodal sites involved, bone marrow involvement, hypertrophic disease, B symptoms, source cells, glucose quantification, Pandy test, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chlorine, CSF nucleated cell count, CSF protein, peripheral blood cfDNA, and IL-10 status were compared between the two groups. The correlation between cfDNA, IL-10 in peripheral blood and CSF protein was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of peripheral blood cfDNA and IL-10 on secondary CNSI in DLBCL patients. The last follow-up was on November 30, 2023. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the time of secondary CNSI in the non-CNSI group. RESULTS: The IPI risk, CNS-IPI risk, number of extranodal sites involved, and CSF protein in the CNSI group were significantly higher than those in the non-CNSI group (all P <0.05). The levels of cfDNA and IL-10 in peripheral blood of CNSI group were significantly higher than those of non-CNSI group (both P <0.01). cfDNA and IL-10 in peripheral blood were both positively correlated with CSF protein (r =0.402 4, 0.315 1). ROC curve analysis showed that peripheral blood cfDNA and IL-10 had certain predictive value for CNSI, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.829 and 0.742, respectively. The AUC of the combined detection was 0.910, with a sensitivity of 80.00% and a specificity of 93.70%. The diagnostic efficacy was significantly higher than that of the two prediction values alone. The median follow-up time was 20 (6-31) months. Non-CNSI patients were grouped based on peripheral blood cfDNA combined with IL-10 positive or negative pairs. The time of secondary CNSI in positive group was significantly shorter than that in negative group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION cfDNA and IL-10 in peripheral blood of DLBCL patients with CNSI are significantly increased, and the combined detection of cfDNA and IL-10 has good predictive value for CNSI.
Humans ; Interleukin-10/blood* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/blood* ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Prognosis ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Adult ; Predictive Value of Tests

OBJECTIVE: To explore and evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified thiotepa-based conditioning regimen combined with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). METHODS: In a retrospective, single center, single arm study, we collected data of 28 patients with PCNSL who underwent high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC-ASCT) at our center from March 2021 to December 2024. The clinical characteristics of the patients, the conditioning regimen details, treatment-related toxicities and adverse reactions, post-transplant disease remission status, and survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were included. Among them, 19 patients received ASCT as first-line consolidation therapy in complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) status, and 9 patients with relapsed/refractory disease underwent salvage ASCT. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 9 days (range: 5-11 days), and the median time to platelet engraftment was 10 days (range: 6-13 days). All patients achieved CR at the initial efficacy evaluation post-ASCT. The main complications during the transplantation period were febrile neutropenia (26 cases) and grade 3 diarrhea (9 cases). No transplantation-related mortality occurred. Post-ASCT, 19 patients received maintenance therapy, which was demonstrated to be safe and effective. Three patients relapse, and one patient died. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients were not reached. The estimated 1-year and 2-year cumulative PFS rates were 88.4% and 66.3%, respectively, while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were both 94.1%. CONCLUSION The modified thiotepa-based conditioning regimen combined with ASCT is safe and effective for the treatment of PCNSL.
Humans ; Thiotepa/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation Conditioning/methods* ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lymphoma/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged

The nervous system is the dominant regulatory system in the human body. The traditional theory is that tumors lack innervation. However, an increasing number of studies have shown complex bidirectional interactions between tumors and the nervous system. Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. With the rise of tumor neuroscience, the role of nervous system imbalances in the occurrence and development of CRC has attracted increasing amounts of attention. However, there are still many gaps in the research on the interactions and mechanisms involved in the nervous system in CRC. This article systematically reviews emerging research on the bidirectional relationships between the nervous system and CRC, focusing on the following areas: (1) Effects of the nervous system on colon cancer. (2) Effects of CRC on the nervous system. (3) Treatment of CRC associated with the nervous system.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Animals ; Nervous System/metabolism*

Most tumor cells and healthy neurons are at rest during G0 phase.Once the cell cycle is abnormally re-entered under certain conditions,the proliferation of tumor cells and the degenerative necrosis of neurons can be initiated.From the perspective of the cell cycle,cancer and central nervous system diseases,two seemingly different disease types,have a common pathogenesis.This type of diseases is named aberrant cell cycle diseases.As a newly discovered microRNA(miR),miR-1976 is closely related to the regulation of the cell cycle.This review summarizes the progress in the research on miR-1976 in cancer and central nervous system diseases,aiming to provide a reference for the clinical application of miR-1976 in aberrant cell cycle diseases in the future.
MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Humans ; Cell Cycle/genetics* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Central Nervous System Diseases/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). METHODS: Fifty-two patients with breast cancer in the regimen of taxane-assisted/neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were randomly divided into an EA group (26 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a usual care (UC) group (26 cases, 1 case dropped out). In the UC group, on the basis of standard chemotherapy regimen, the routine nursing was administered. In the EA group, on the intervention as the UC group, EA was added, the acupoints included Yintang (GV 24⁺), Baxie (EX-UE 9, the second one), Waiguan (TE 5), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Bafeng (EX-LE 10, the fourth one). Electric stimulation was attached to Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the same side, with disperse-dense wave and the frequency of 2 Hz/10 Hz, for 30 min. EA started one day before the first cycle of chemotherapy, twice weekly in the first two weeks and once weekly in the rest weeks of chemotherapy. The duration of the intervention with EA was 12 weeks. The incidence of CIPN was compared in week 24 of the trial between the two groups. At the baseline and in week 12 and 24 of the trial, the score of EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer on chemotherapy-induced peripheral nerve toxicity quality of life questionnaire 20), the score of TCM syndrome scale and the score of EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer on quality of life scale) were observed in the two groups. At the baseline and in week 12 of the trial, the sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) and the motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) was detected. RESULTS: In week 24 of the trial, the incidence of CIPN was 17.4% (4/23) in the EA group, lower than that (72.0%, 18/25) in the UC group (P<0.001). The incidence of high-grade CIPN was 0% (0/23) in the EA group, lower than that (28.0%, 7/25) in the UC group (P<0.05). In week 12 and 24 of the trial, the scores for the sensory nerve symptom of EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 and the total scores were higher when compared with the baseline in the UC group (P<0.001, P<0.05, P<0.01). In week 24 of the trial, the score for the sensory nerve symptom of EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 in the EA group was lower than that of the UC group (P<0.05). In week 12 of the trial, SCV of the right superficial peroneal nerve was reduced when compared with the baseline in the UC group (P<0.05), and SCV of the left median nerve and the right superficial peroneal nerve was higher in the EA group when compared with the UC group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In week 12 and 24 of the trial, the scores for the secondary symptoms of TCM scale were decreased in the EA group compared with the baseline (P<0.05), and the scores for the primary and secondary symptoms, as well as the total scores of TCM scale were all higher than those of the baseline in the UC group (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05). In week 12 of the trial, the scores for the primary and secondary symptoms, as well as the total score of TCM scale in the EA group were lower than those of the UC group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In week 24 of the trial, the score for the secondary symptoms and the total score of TCM scale in the EA group were lower than those of the UC group (P<0.05). In week 12 of the trial, the scores for fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting in EORTC QLQ-C30 were increased in comparison with the baseline in the UC group (P<0.05, P<0.01); in week 24 of the trial, the score of the general health in EORTC QLQ-C30 was elevated when compared with the baseline in the EA group (P<0.001), and the scores for nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite were decreased in comparison with the baseline (P<0.01). In week 12 of the trial, the score of the general health in EORTC QLQ-C30 in the EA group was higher compared with the UC group (P<0.01), and the scores for pain, nausea and vomiting were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05). In week 24 of the trial, the score of the general health in EORTC QLQ-C30 was higher in the EA group compared with the UC group (P<0.001), and the score for loss of appetite was lower (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture reduces the incidence and severity of CIPN, ameliorates nerve conduction velocity and improves the quality of life of the patients.
Humans ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/prevention & control* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Aged

Humans ; White Matter/pathology* ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology*

Humans ; Histones/genetics* ; DNA Methylation ; Neurilemmoma/pathology* ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze recurrence and progression patterns of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in patients without whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and assess the value of WBRT in PCNSL treatment. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included 27 patients with PCNSL, who experienced recurrence/progression after achieving complete remission (CR), partial remission, or stable disease following initial treatments with chemotherapy but without WBRT. The patients were followed up regularly after the treatment for treatment efficacy assessment. By comparing the anatomical location of the lesions on magnetic resonance images (MRI) at the initial diagnosis and at recurrence/progression, we analyzed the patterns of relapse/progression in patients with different treatment responses and different initial status of the lesions. RESULTS: MRI data showed that in 16 (59.26%) of the 27 patients, recurrence/progression occurred in out-field area (outside the simulated clinical target volume [CTV]) but within the simulated WBRT target area in 16 (59.26%) patients, and within the CTV (in-field) in 11 (40.74%) patients. None of the patients had extracranial recurrence of the tumor. Of the 11 patients who achieved CR after the initial treatments, 9 (81.82%) had PCNSL recurrences in the out-field area but within WBRT target area; of the 13 patients with a single lesion at the initial treatment, 11 (84.62%) experienced PCNSL recurrence in the out-field area but within WBRT target area. CONCLUSIONS Systemic therapy combined with WBRT still remains the standard treatment for PCNSL patients, especially those who achieve CR after treatment or have a single initial lesion. Future prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further explore the role of low-dose WBRT in PCNSL treatment.
Humans ; Lymphoma/radiotherapy* ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prospective Studies ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Brain/pathology* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Methotrexate