Patients with severe tumors do not refer to the patients with end-stage tumors,but rather to the patients with a performance status(PS)score between 2 and 4 in certain stages due to various reasons,such as acute or chronic comorbidities,tumor itself,or treatment-related adverse events.To these patients,there is a high probability of achieving survival benefit and/or improvement in PS scores after synergistic management of available life-support technologies and anti-tumor therapies based on dynamic and precise testing.Elderly patients with tumors frequently present with one or more chronic illnesses and have poor toler-ance and compliance to treatment.Moreover,their treatment regimens often lack high-quality clinical evidence,making them more susceptible to developing severe tumors.The management of severe tumors in the elderly is based on three basic diagnosis and treatment technologies:dynamic and precise detection,powerful life support technologies,and skillful application of current anti-tumor treatments.In specific clinical practice,the following 7 flexible and individualized treatment strategies should be adopted for different tumor types:1.concurrent management of cancer and comorbidities,2.upgrading and downgrading of anti-tumor drugs based on PS score,3.dynamic accurate detection,4.skillful combinations for increasing efficacy and reducing toxicity,5.complete overview,paying equal attention to systemic therapy and local therapy,6.safety first in medication for the elderly,7.multi-discipli-nary participation,individualized and comprehensive treatment.This article introduced the concept of severe tumors in the elderly and the associated management strategies,to increase awareness and provide feasible guidance for clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the interval period between biopsy and MR examination on tumor detection and extraprostatic extension (EPE) assessment for prostate cancer (PCa) using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI).Methods:The study was cross-sectional and retrospectively included 130 patients with PCa who underwent RP and preoperative systematic biopsies followed by mpMRI between January 2021 and December 2022 in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to interval following biopsy (group A,<3 weeks, 31 cases; group B, 3-6 weeks, 67 cases; group C,>6 weeks, 32 cases). The percentages of hemorrhage volume in the total prostate were drawn on T 1WI and calculated. The junior, senior and expert radiologists independently localized the index lesions and calculated the accuracy for tumor detection, in addition to assessing the probabilities of EPE according to EPE grade. The correlation between the hemorrhage extent and interval was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The accuracy for tumor detection was compared using χ2 test among groups. The diagnostic performance of the radiologists for EPE prediction was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the differences between the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were compared using the DeLong test. Results:The percentage of hemorrhage was correlated with the interval between biopsy and MR examination ( r=-0.325, P<0.001). The detection accuracy of junior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 76.1% (51/67), and 78.1% (25/32) in group A, B and C, respectively; no differences were observed in the detection accuracy among three groups ( χ2=0.76, P=0.685). The detection accuracy of senior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 80.6% (54/67), and 71.9% (23/32) in 3 groups with no differences ( χ2=1.53, P=0.464). The detection accuracy of expert radiologist was 80.6% (25/31), 77.6% (52/67), and 93.8% (30/32) with no differences ( χ2=3.95, P=0.139). The AUC (95% CI) for predicting EPE were 0.830 (0.652-0.940), 0.704 (0.580-0.809), 0.800 (0.621-0.920) in the group A, B and C for junior radiologist; 0.876 (0.708-0.966), 0.768 (0.659-0.863), 0.896 (0.736-0.975) for senior radiologist; and 0.866 (0.695-0.961), 0.813 (0.699-0.895), 0.852 (0.682-0.952) for expert radiologist, respectively. No differences were observed among the subgroups in each radiologist ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The interval period does not significantly affect the detection accuracy and EPE assessment of PCa using mpMRI. There is probably no necessity for prolonged intervals following systematic biopsy to preserve the clarity of MRI interpretation for PCa.

Objective:To measure the concentration of growth differentiation factor-15(GDF-15)in the serum of patients with atrial fibrillation(AF),to study the correlations between the levels of GDF-15 and different factors including basic clinical information,biochemical examinations,and atrial structure,and further to explore the association between GDF-15 and AF types and structural remodeling.Methods:AF patients who were admitted to the ward of the Department of Cardiology at Peking Universi-ty Third Hospital between October 2017 and October 2019 were prospectively enrolled.Patients admitted to the ward at the same time with sinus rhythm and no prior AF history were enrolled in the control group.Clinical information and blood samples of the patients were collected.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say was used to measure the concentration of GDF-15.SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:In the study,156 AF patients(64 persistent AF and 92 paroxysmal AF)and 38 patients of the control group were included.Serum GDF-15 levels in the AF group were significantly higher than in the control group[1 112(723,1 525)ng/L vs.697(499,825)ng/L,P＜0.001].Serum GDF-15 levels in the persistent AF group were significantly higher than in the paroxysmal AF group[1 140(858,1 708)ng/L vs.1 090(662,1 374)ng/L,P=0.047].The area under the curve(AUC)of serum GDF-15 levels for prediction of AF was 0.736(95％CI:0.651-0.822,P＜0.001).The cut-off value was 843.2 ng/L with a sensitivity of 68.2％and a specificity of 78.9％.The AUC of serum GDF-15 levels for prediction of persistent AF was 0.594(95％CI:0.504-0.684,P=0.047).The cut-off va-lue was 771.5 ng/L with a sensitivity of 82.8％and a specificity of 35.9％.Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the serum GDF-15 levels were positively correlated with age(r=0.480,P＜0.001),left atrial pressure(LAP,r=0.300,P＜0.001),and also negatively correlated with left atrial appendage flow velocity(LAAV,r=-0.252,P=0.002).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age and LAP affected the GDF-15 levels significantly(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis sug-gested GDF-15(OR=1.002,95％CI:1.001-1.003,P=0.004)and left atrial diameter(LAD,OR=1.400,95％CI:1.214-1.616,P＜0.001)were independent predictors of AF.Conclusion:Serum GDF-15 levels are higher in AF patients.Meanwhile,serum GDF-15 levels are higher in persistent AF patients than paroxysmal AF patients.GDF-15 is associated with AF and atrial structural remodeling.

Objective To retrospectively analyze of factors influencing early preterm birth(EPB)and late preterm birth(LPB)in pregnancy women with placenta previa complicated by placenta accreta spectrum disorders(PAS),and assess maternal and infant outcomes.Methods We included 590 cases of pregnancy women with placenta previa complicated by PAS who underwent cesarean sections at five hospitals in Wuhan and Xianning cities between January 2018 and June 2021.These patients were divided into three groups based on delivery gesta-tional age:EPB,LPB,and term birth(TB).A multiple logistic regression model was employed to analyze the risk factors associated with EPB and LPB.Additionally,differences in early maternal and infant outcomes among these groups were examined.Results Among 590 pregnancy women with placenta previa complicated by PAS,the proportions of EPB and LPB were 9.7%and 54.4%.The use of uterine contraction inhibitors prior to cesarean section,vaginal bleeding,and previous cesarean sections history were identified as risk factors for both EPB and LPB.The proportion of severe postpartum hemorrhage was comparable between the EPB group and the LPB group;however,the incidence of neonatal asphyxia,low birth weight infants,and the rate of newborns transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU)within 24 hours after cesarean delivery were significantly higher in the EPB group compared to the LPB group.Conclusions Placenta previa complicated by PAS predominantly leads to LPB.The history of prior cesarean sections,uterine contractions,and vaginal bleeding prior to cesarean section,are sig-nificantly associated with both EPB and LPB.During the perinatal period,efforts should be made to extend gesta-tional weeks under close monitoring to minimize the incidence of premature births and thereby improve early mater-nal and infant outcomes.

Objective To explore the feasibility of constructing a short-term therapeutic efficacy prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after radiofrequency ablation(RFA)based on texture analysis of preoperative MRI arterial phase images.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 169 HCC patients treated with RFA.Based on the short-term therapeutic efficacy,the patients were divided into a good prognosis group(112 cases)and a poor prognosis group(57 cases).Texture features of preoperative MRI arterial phase images were extracted using Mazda software,and dimension reduction was performed through Fisher coefficient,mutual information,classification error probability,and mean correlation coefficient.The patients were divided into a training group(n=119)and a testing group(n=50)in a 7∶3 ratio.Independent sample t-tests and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)algorithm were employed for further feature selection.Subsequently,a radiomics model was established using LASSO regression and evaluated through the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under the curve(AUC).Results The radiomics model comprised features such as S_2__2_SumOfSqs,Teta1,S_5_0_DifVarnc,S_2_0_DifEntrp,Horzl_LngREmph,and S_5_5_InvDfMom.The AUC of the model were 0.987[95％confidence interval(CI)0.965-1.000]and 0.918(95％CI 0.818-1.000)in the training and testing groups,respectively.The sensitivity was 98.7％(95％CI 92.4-100)and 93.9％(95％CI 84.8-100),and the specificity was 97.5％(95％CI 90.0-100)and 88.2％(95％CI 70.6-100),respectively.Conclusion The construction of a predictive model for short-term therapeutic efficacy of HCC after RFA based on texture analysis of preoperative MRI arterial phase images is feasible and demonstrates good predictive performance.

Purpose To explore the diagnostic value of prostate imaging report and data system 2.1(PI-RADS v2.1)combined with prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)for clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa)in prostate-specific antigen(PSA)gray area(4-10 ng/ml)based on two-center data.Materials and Methods The clinical and imaging data of patients with PSA gray zone prostate disease who underwent multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging and all pathological data in the First Medical Center(center 1)and the Sixth Medical Center(center 2)of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2017 to May 2022 were retrospectively selected and analyzed.The patients from center 1 were used as the training group(220 cases),and the patients from center 2 were used as the test group(50 cases).Logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of csPCa in the training group,and the diagnostic efficacy of multi-parameter combination for csPCa was analyzed,which was further verified in the test group.Results There were significant differences in prostate volume,PSAD and PI-RADS v2.1 scores between the csPCa and non-csPCa groups in the training group(Z=-6.468,6.589,75.676,all P＜0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that PI-RADS v2.1 score and PSAD were the independent risk factors for csPCa(both P＜0.001).The area under the curve of the Logistic regression model composed of PI-RADS v2.1 and PSAD for predicting csPCa in the PSA gray zone was 0.860(95％CI 0.808-0.903)in the training group and 0.906(95％CI 0.790-0.970)in the test group,respectively.The area under the curve of Logistic regression model was significantly higher than that of PI-RADS v2.1 and PSAD,respectively,with statistically significant difference(both P＜0.05).When the PI-RADS v2.1 score was low or moderate risk and PSAD＜0.15 ng/ml2,csPCa in the training group and the test group was with low detection rate.Conclusion PI-RADS v2.1 score and PSAD may be the independent risk factors for predicting csPCa in the PSA gray zone.The combined application of the two methods is better than the single method in the diagnosis of csPCa in the PSA gray zone,with benefits for clinical biopsy decision-making.

Purpose To explore the additional value of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)histogram in predicting extraprostatic extension(EPE)of prostate cancer.Materials and Methods Consecutive patients undergoing multi-parameter MRI and subsequent radical prostatectomy from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively included in this study.Two radiologists independently estimated EPE by using national cancer institute grading system for extraprostatic extension(EPE grade system),with disagreement resolved by discussion.Histogram metrics were derived from three-dimensional volumes of interest encompassing the entire lesion on ADC maps using FireVoxel,obtaining mean ADC,1st,5th,10th,25th,50th,75th,90th,95th and 99th ADC values.The ADC histograms between the groups with and without EPE were compared.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictive factors of EPE,and a combined model was developed.Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance,and the area under the curve was calculated and compared.Results Thirty-four patients(34％)had pathologic confirmed EPE after radical prostatectomy.ADC histogram parameters showed significant differences between patients with and without EPE(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed 99th ADC(OR=0.609,P=0.008)and EPE grade system(OR=4.158,P＜0.001)were independent predictors of EPE.For predicting EPE,the area under the curve of 99th ADC,EPE grade system and the combined model were 0.756,0.805 and 0.856,respectively.The area under the curve of 99th ADC and the EPE grade system in identifying EPE showed no significant difference.The diagnostic efficacy of combined model was significantly superior to that of 99th ADC or EPE grading system(Z=2.223,2.208,both P＜0.05).Conclusion The ADC histogram parameters demonstrate additional value for preoperative prediction of EPE.Combining the 99th ADC histogram parameter with the EPE grade system may improve the diagnostic efficacy of EPE.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of placing self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) and emergency surgery in treatment of patients with obstructive colon cancer.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 111 colon cancer patients with obstruction admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and all patients were divided into the emergency group (44 cases receiving emergency radical surgery) and the stenting group (67 cases receiving elective radical surgery after intra-intestinally placing SEMS). General data, operation-related indexes and postoperative recurrence and metastasis of both groups were compared. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors influencing the prognosis.Results:Among 111 patients, 69 cases were male and 42 cases were female; the age was (61±13) years. There were not statistically significant differences in the general data between the emergency group and the stenting group (all P > 0.05). The proportion of patients receiving laparoscopic surgery in the stenting group was higher than that in the emergency group [32.84% (22/67) vs. 6.82% (3/44), P = 0.001]; the proportion of patients with the detected number of lymph nodes ≥12 in the stenting group was higher than that in the emergency group [94.03% (63/67) vs.79.55% (35/44), P = 0.020]; the proportion of patients with stoma prevention in the emergency group was higher than that in the stenting group [36.36% (16/44) vs. 17.91% (12/67), χ2 = 4.80, P = 0.029], and the duration of postoperative hospitalization in the emergency group was longer than that in the stenting group [14.0 (10 d, 17 d) vs. 11 d (10 d, 14 d), Z = -2.004, P = 0.045]. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative pathological TNM staging, vascular infiltration, nerve invasion, local recurrence and distant metastasis between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). The difference in 3-year disease-free survival rate was statistically significant between the emergency group and the stenting group (52.3% vs. 64.2%, χ2 = 2.2, P = 0.142), and difference in 3-year overall survival rate was statistically significant between the emergency group and the stenting group (56.8% vs. 73.1%, χ2 = 3.02, P = 0.087). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor location, TNM staging, and vascular infiltration were independent influencing factors for 3-year disease-free survival of patients with obstructive colon cancer (all P < 0.05); age, tumor location, TNM staging, and vascular infiltration were independent influencing factors for 3-year overall survival of patients with obstructive colon cancer (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with emergency surgery, placement of SEMS bridging surgery for obstructive colon cancer is safe and reliable, and tumor location, TNM staging, and vascular infiltration are closely related to prognosis.

Objectives:To investigate the effect of fat suppression (FS) T 2WI on the interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of clear cell likelihood score version 2.0 (ccLS v2.0) for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods:In this retrospective study, the MR images of 111 patients with pathologically confirmed small renal masses (SRM) from January to December 2021 were analyzed in the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Of the 111 SRM, 82 cases were ccRCC and 29 cases were non-ccRCC. Two radiologists independently assessed ccLS scores based on T 2WI signal intensity (hypointense, isointense, hyperintense) and other MRI features (ccLS-T 2WI). After a one-month interval, the ccLS scores were independently evaluated utilizing the frequency-selective saturation FS-T 2WI and other MRI features (ccLS-FS-T 2WI). Fisher′s exact test was used to compare the difference in SRM signal intensity on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI. The weighted Kappa test was performed to assess the interobserver agreement of the two radiologists, and differences in the weighted Kappa coefficients were compared using the Gwet consistency coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ccLS-T 2WI and ccLS-FS-T 2WI in diagnosing ccRCC, and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared utilizing the DeLong test. Results:The signal intensity of 111 SRM on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI had statistically significant difference (χ 2=126.33, P<0.001), consistent in 88 cases (79.3%) and varied in 23 cases (20.7%). The weighted Kappa coefficient of ccLS-T 2WI was 0.57 (95%CI 0.45-0.69) between the two radiologists, and the weighted Kappa coefficient of ccLS-FS-T 2WI was 0.55 (95%CI 0.42-0.67), and the difference was not statistically significant ( t=-0.65, P=0.520). The AUC of ccLS-T 2WI for ccRCC diagnosis was 0.92 (95%CI 0.86-0.97), while the AUC of ccLS-FS-T 2WI for ccRCC diagnosis was 0.91 (95%CI 0.85-0.96), and the difference was not statistically significant ( Z=1.50, P=0.133). Conclusions:The interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of ccLS v2.0 based on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI sequences for ccRCC are comparable, and FS-T 2WI is applicable for the clinical application of ccLS v2.0.

With the advancement of surgical techniques, the 5-year survival rate of colorectal cancer has significantly improved. However, incomplete lymph node dissection during operation leads to local recurrence and distant metastasis of the tumor, which has seriously affected the prognosis of patients. In the era of laparoscopy, surgeons' sense of touch is limited, making it difficult to feel and distinguish lymph node metastasis and the location of early colorectal cancer with their hands. The emergence of carbon nanoparticle suspension can help surgeons accurately locate tumors and clean lymph nodes under laparoscopy. This article reviews the clinical application of carbon nanoparticles in lymph node tracing and tumor location in colorectal cancer.