The first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiative was undertaken in Assam, with an indigenously made vaccine in India, “CERVAVAC,” in association with a nonprofit organization during March 2025–February 2026. The main objective was to initiate HPV vaccination among girls from 9 years and above to create widespread awareness and prevent cervical cancer. A total of 2000 girls received the vaccine with a total of 3800 doses. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV genotypes is the principal etiological factor for cervical cancer, and prophylactic vaccination can prevent up to 90% of cases. A survey in Assam showed less that 1% had previously vaccinated against HPV, and awareness was 39% among students of elite academic institutions due to lower socioeconomic status, population heterogeneity, and deeply rooted sociocultural beliefs significantly contributing to less screening and vaccination coverage. Nongovernmental organizations played a pivotal role in spreading awareness and vaccination all over India, but this vaccination drive was the first initiative in the state of Assam. The impact was an infinite transformation of mindset to a finite measurable outcome, setting a national record of highest vaccination by a nongovernmental organization within 1 year time.
The Neck Imaging Reporting and Data System (NI-RADS) provides a standardized framework for surveillance imaging in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) following treatment. It aims to enhance communication between radiologists and clinicians, reduce interreader variability, and guide timely and appropriate clinical interventions. The present case series evaluates the clinical applicability of NI-RADS categorization in a tertiary care center of North India. Five cases of HNSCC with varying primary sites, treatment modalities, and surveillance outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Each case was analyzed in the context of its NI-RADS categorization and correlated with subsequent clinical decisions, biopsy outcomes, and disease progression. NI-RADS scoring clarified ambiguous imaging findings, minimized unnecessary interventions, enabled early detection of recurrences, and reinforced clinical judgment. NI-RADS enhanced the consistency and clarity in posttreatment HNSCC imaging. It also improved clinical decision-making and communication; its effectiveness is maximized when integrated with clinical judgment, histopathology, and patient-specific risk factors.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer is a leading global cause of oncology-related mortality, accounting for 18% of cancer deaths. In Africa, data on prevalence are limited, and late presentations contribute to high morbidity. While tobacco is the primary risk factor, a significant number of cases occur in never-smokers, suggesting the influence of biomass fuel, pollution, and chronic lung disease. This study aims to describe the clinical profile of lung cancer patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Nigeria, where a harmonized registry is currently lacking. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data from case notes of 94 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2019 and 2023. Information was retrieved from the radiology, oncology, respiratory, and cardiothoracic departments. Data points included sociodemographics, smoking history, comorbidities, symptoms, imaging, histology, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 41 males (43.6%) and 53 females (56.4%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3. The mean age at presentation was 58.65 ± 13.1 years. Notably, 82% of patients were never-smokers; only 18% were “ever-smokers” (10% current, 8% former). Cough was the most predominant symptom. Radiologically, lung mass was the most frequent finding (52.1%). Histologically, adenocarcinoma was the most common type (17%). Regarding management, approximately 23% received chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this Nigerian environment, lung cancer is prevalent among nonsmokers. A significant proportion of patients defaulted on treatment or was lost to follow-up. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved lung cancer screening, prompt diagnosis, and structured treatment protocols to improve clinical outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Surgical challenges in advanced gastric cancer present a complex dilemma for surgeons in low-resource settings. The decision between attempting curative resection and opting for palliation is complicated by late disease presentation and limited diagnostic infrastructure. This study evaluates the clinicopathological profile, surgical management, and outcomes of gastric cancer patients to assess the utility of operative interventions in the face of poor prognostic indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, analyzing 86 patients with histologically confirmed gastric cancer out of a total of 956 gastrointestinal malignancies. Data regarding patient demographics, risk factors, intraoperative findings, extent of surgical intervention, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly female (59.3%), with a peak age incidence between 61 and 70 years (61.6%). Dietary risk factors were prominent, with 91.9% of patients reporting consumption of smoked fish. Late presentation was the norm; 88.4% presented with unexplained weight loss and 73.3% with palpable abdominal masses. Intraoperative assessment revealed that 61.6% had advanced cancer and 40.7% had metastatic disease. Consequently, curative resection was achieved in only 50.0% of cases, while 31.4% of cases underwent palliative bypass and 18.6% were limited to exploratory laparotomy and biopsy. Postoperative complications occurred in 29.3% of patients, most commonly surgical site infections (14.0%). The prognosis was poor, with a confirmed mortality rate of 61.6% of cases and a high attrition rate, as 26.7% of patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: The management of gastric cancer in this setting is severely hampered by delayed diagnosis, resulting in a low resectability rate and high mortality. The high prevalence of palliative bypass and exploratory laparotomies, combined with limited survival duration, underscores the surgeon’s dilemma regarding the cost and trauma of surgery versus limited life expectancy. Future efforts must prioritize public health education on dietary risks – specifically smoked fish consumption – and early screening.
This systematic review examines how fetal radiation risk is currently understood in pregnant patients undergoing oncologic imaging and treatment, and where that understanding begins to fall short. Clinical decisions are still often framed around single-exposure thresholds, yet real care rarely occurs in isolated steps. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2000 and 2025, using predefined eligibility criteria focused on pregnancy, ionizing radiation, and oncology-related exposures. Two reviewers independently screened records, assessed full texts, and extracted data, with disagreements resolved through discussion. Thirty-two studies were included, encompassing clinical observations, dosimetric analyses, and computational modeling. Across these studies, fetal dose estimates varied widely depending on modality, technical factors, and gestational timing. Individual procedures – computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography/CT, or radiotherapy scatter – often remained below traditional safety thresholds, but a different pattern emerged when exposures were considered sequentially. The cumulative burden, especially when distributed across sensitive developmental windows, appeared less predictable and not fully captured by existing models. Radiobiological responses also shifted with gestational stage, which complicates any attempt to define a universal threshold. The evidence is uneven in places, and much of it relies on modeling rather than direct clinical measurement. Still, a consistent signal appears: risk is not static, and it does not accumulate in a simple linear way. This review brings these elements together and proposes a more integrated perspective. Future work will need to move beyond isolated dose estimates and toward frameworks that reflect how care actually unfolds.
