Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in collaboration with Bhaktashreshtha Kamalakarpant Laxman Walawalkar Hospital (BKLWH), Dervan, a rural cancer hospital in Ratnagiri, started a population-based cancer registry (PBCR) in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India in February 2009. Testicular cancer survival is a less-explored area of oncology research. This paper aims to present the 10-year survival of testicular cancer patients in Ratnagiri district for the years 2009-2018. The registry follows an active method of case registration. Major sources of the cancer registry are TMC and BKLWH. Data quality control was conducted by TMC, Mumbai. Follow-up was performed by house and village visits/phone calls by registry staff. For survival analysis, the date of diagnosis was the starting date, and the last follow-up date was 31 December 2023. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and relative survival (RS) by the Pohar Perme method. A total of 43 testicular cancer cases were registered in Ratnagiri PBCR, with incidence and mortality rates of 0.6 and 0.2 per 100,000 population. The 10-year RS of testicular cancer was 63.3% (95% confidence interval: 45.4-76.7). Survival was 100% for localised cases. Other prognostic factors were age at diagnosis (<40 years), histology (seminoma), 'surgery' as a treatment modality and 'completed' treatment status. Good health infrastructure and linkage of rural hospitals with the tertiary cancer centre play a pivotal role in improved testicular cancer outcomes. Continued efforts in research and education for health professionals serving as the first point of contact for the population will be essential to enhance testicular management in India.

High healthcare costs are a major obstacle to treatment and recovery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Financial navigation programs (FNPs) are designed to help patients manage these costs by providing support through insurance and providing resources for patients. This study explores the experience of implementing FNPs in Nigeria at two tertiary cancer centers: Lakeshore Cancer Center, Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Key barriers include low financial literacy, complex regulations and limited financial resources. However, these issues can be overcome with better financial education, simplified regulations and expanded insurance coverage. The study underscores the potential of FNPs to significantly reduce financial strain and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients in resource-limited settings. Recommendations for the adoption and implementation of an FNP in Nigeria are included in this manuscript.

ObjectiveTo describe the clinical and socio-demographic profile, as well as the induction outcomes, of paediatric patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of patients up to 18 years of age who presented between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021. Patients with a diagnosis of de novo AML confirmed by flow cytometry, or with extra-medullary soft tissue masses proven to be AML by immunohistochemistry, were included. All records were obtained from the Paediatric Oncology database and supplemented by treatment files.ResultsAmong 56 patients analyzed, the male-to-female ratio was 1.15. The median age was 7 years (range: 0.2–18 years). The white blood cell (WBC) count at presentation ranged from 1,250/μL to 296,000/μL (median: 29,000/μL). Sixty percent of patients were malnourished, and the majority belonged to lower socioeconomic strata. Fever was the most common presenting symptom (93%), followed by bleeding (61%), easy fatigability (53%), bone pain (46%), hepatosplenomegaly (39%) and lymphadenopathy (14%). According to European LeukaemiaNet (ELN) 2017 risk stratification, 52% of patients were categorized as favourable risk, 18% as intermediate risk and 28% as high risk; one patient could not be risk-stratified. Remission was achieved in 47% of patients, 23% did not achieve remission, 16% died during induction and 14% abandoned treatment.ConclusionDemographic variables, nutritional status, WBC count and clinical presentations were not associated with induction outcomes, possibly due to the availability of extensive supportive care services such as accommodation near the hospital, free food and treatment and psychosocial support in the paediatric oncology unit. In contrast, ELN risk categories were strongly associated with outcomes.

Rapid advances in oncology have led to unprecedented pharmacological and technological complexity, yet these developments have not always translated into meaningful benefits for patients. Inspired by the Common Sense Oncology movement, this article reflects on the need to recalibrate cancer care beyond biologistic and industry-driven models. We argue for a broader, patient-centred vision of oncology that integrates social determinants of health, prevention, supportive and palliative care, shared decision-making and independent research alongside pharmacological innovation. Drawing on evidence from health economics, clinical research trends and public health, we highlight the paradox between rising oncology expenditures and limited gains in overall survival, quality of life and equity. We also discuss the growing influence of industry-sponsored research, the increasing reliance on surrogate endpoints, and the underfunding of non-pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Finally, we propose concrete priorities for policymakers, clinicians and research institutions to ensure that oncology progress remains aligned with outcomes that truly matter to patients.

Cervical cancer (CC) is a public health issue and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women. In Brazil, despite prevention and screening strategies, many cases are still diagnosed at advanced stages. This study aimed to analyse factors associated with advanced CC diagnosis in the state of Mato Grosso between 2002 and 2021. This is a retrospective study based on data from the Hospital Cancer Registry. A total of 1,126 women diagnosed with invasive CC (ICD-10: C53) were included. Sociodemographic, clinical and treatment access variables were analysed. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess associations between variables and the stage at diagnosis. The results showed that 58.3% of women were diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV). Most patients were between 35 and 59 years old, had incomplete primary education and were non-white. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant histological type (71.8%). Women with adenocarcinoma had a lower chance of being diagnosed at an advanced stage, while the probability of a localised diagnosis decreased with age. The high number of late CC diagnoses suggests barriers to access to screening and early treatment in Mato Grosso. Expanding screening coverage, strengthening human papillomavirus vaccination and improving oncology services are essential to reduce the incidence and mortality of the disease in the state. Identification/approval number by the Committee of Ethics in Research with Human Beings in the Health Area - CEP of the Federal University of Mato Grosso - UFMT, opinion number: 4.858.521.

Delays in the treatment of cervical cancer may be associated with lower survival rates and a higher risk of disease progression. In low- and middle-income countries, the functioning of health systems may exacerbate this problem. To determine whether the initial point of care led to delays in the treatment of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in Quito between 2012 and 2015, and to assess its impact on survival. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyse the survival of patients with cervical cancer treated at the SOLCA Quito Hospital. Patients were classified according to their initial point of contact (Group 1: initial care in the public health system with subsequent referral to SOLCA. Group 2: comprehensive care at SOLCA) and in relation to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 clinical staging at the time of diagnosis. The time to treatment initiation was compared using the Student's t-test. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, estimating the probability of survival over time for both groups, stratified by clinical stage and performing an overall comparison of groups. In addition, the log-rank test was used to compare both survival curves and determine statistical significance using a significant value of p < 0.05. A total of 1,363 cases were analysed. Group 1 had a mean waiting time of 162 days, while in group 2 it was 62 days to start treatment (p < 0.01). In terms of survival, group 2 versus 1 had a hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-1). In terms of subgroups, the results favoured Group 2 in stages III and IV, the latter with an HR of 0.48 (95% confidence interval: 0.37-0.63) p < 0.01. Delays in the referral of cervical cancer patients from the public system led to delays in the start of treatment, affecting survival in patients with more advanced stages. Significant disparities in access to care highlight the need for future research aimed at identifying the causes of these delays and proposing possible interventions.

Biomarkers for tailoring treatment in neoadjuvant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are needed. We hypothesize that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can predict long-term outcomes in this population. We reviewed our institutional database to identify patients with clinical stages II-III TNBC who underwent NACT from 2012 to 2024 and retrospectively collected data from medical records. We calculated event-free survival (EFS) from the date of NACT initiation until death, disease recurrence or disease progression that precluded surgery; we calculated overall survival (OS) from the date of NACT initiation until death. Survival estimates were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log rank test. The Cox regression model was used to calculate hazard ratios. A total of 692 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 63.3% had stage III disease, 60.8% had grade 3 tumours and 77.2% had a Ki-67 >50%. The most common NACT regimen used was anthracycline and taxane-based (96.8%). The overall pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 27.7%. After median follow-up of 59.6 months, NLR >2 was associated with poorer EFS (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.33-2.18, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.34-2.31, p < 0.001). The results maintained statistical significance after adjusting for age, ki67, clinical stage and pCR status (p = 0.002). NLR predicts long-term survival after NACT in TNBC and, as a readily and inexpensive information, should be further studied in current approaches of chemoimmunotherapy.