Coming Back to the Basics. Comment on Cangir et al. A CT-Based Radiomic Signature for the Differentiation of Pulmonary Hamartomas from Carcinoid Tumors. Diagnostics 2022, 12, 416.

We read with great interest the article by Cangir et al., "A CT-Based Radiomic Signature for the Differentiation of Pulmonary Hamartomas from Carcinoid Tumors", published on 5 February 2022 [...].

Thoracic Diseases: Technique and Applications of Dual-Energy CT.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is one of the most promising technological innovations made in the field of imaging in recent years. Thanks to its ability to provide quantitative and reproducible data, and to improve radiologists' confidence, especially in the less experienced, its applications are increasing in number and variety. In thoracic diseases, DECT is able to provide well-known benefits, although many recent articles have sought to investigate new perspectives. This narrative review aims to provide the reader with an overview of the applications and advantages of DECT in thoracic diseases, focusing on the most recent innovations. The research process was conducted on the databases of Pubmed and Cochrane. The article is organized according to the anatomical district: the review will focus on pleural, lung parenchymal, breast, mediastinal, lymph nodes, vascular and skeletal applications of DECT. In conclusion, considering the new potential applications and the evidence reported in the latest papers, DECT is progressively entering the daily practice of radiologists, and by reading this simple narrative review, every radiologist will know the state of the art of DECT in thoracic diseases.

Dual Energy CT in Oncology: Benefits for Both Patients and Radiologists From an Emerging Quantitative and Functional Diagnostic Technique.

Dual-energy CT (DECT) imaging makes it possible to identify the characteristics of materials that cannot be recognized with conventional single-energy CT (SECT). In the postprocessing study phase, virtual monochromatic images and virtual-non-contrast (VNC) images, also permits reduction of dose exposure by eliminating the precontrast acquisition scan. Moreover, in virtual monochromatic images, the iodine contrast increases when the energy level decreases resulting in better visualization of hypervascular lesions and in a better tissue contrast between hypovascular lesions and the surrounding parenchyma; thus, allowing for reduction of required iodinate contrast material, especially important in patients with renal impairment. All these advantages are particularly important in oncology, providing the possibility of overcoming many SECT imaging limits and making CT examinations safer and more feasible in critical patients. This review explores the basis of DECT imaging and its utility in routine oncologic clinical practice, with particular attention to the benefits of this technique for both the patients and the radiologists.

Washout-Computed Tomography Discriminates Pulmonary "Fat-poor" Hamartomas From Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Simple Method in the Radiomics Era.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary hamartomas (HAs) and neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are often impossible to discriminate using high-resolution computed tomography (CT) as they share morphologic features. This challenge makes differential diagnosis crucial as HAs are invariably benign, whereas NENs must be considered malignant, thus requiring them to be evaluated for surgical excision.Our aim was, therefore, to develop a simple method to discriminate between pulmonary "fat-poor" HAs and NENs using contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2015 and December 2021, 95 patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of lung NENs (74) and HAs (21) and who underwent a preoperative CECT scan were initially identified through a review of our pathologic and radiologic databases. Among these, 55 cases (18 HAs and 37 NENs), which have been studied with biphasic CECT, were ultimately selected and reviewed by 3 radiologists with different levels of experience, analyzing their morphologic and enhancement features.The enhancement analysis was performed by placing a region of interest within the lesion in noncontrast (NCp), postcontrast (PCp, 55 to 65 s after intravenous contrast injection), and delayed phases (Dp, 180 to 300 s). A subgroup of 35 patients who underwent 18FDG-PET/CT was evaluated in a secondary analysis. RESULTS: HU values were significantly different between NENs and HAs in the PCp ( P <0.001). NCp and Dp attenuation values did not show significant differences in the 2 groups. Differences in values of HUs in PCp and Dp allowed to discriminate between NENs and HAs. CONCLUSION: Wash-out analysis, ΔHU (PCp-Dp), can perfectly discriminate pulmonary "fat-poor" HAs from NENs.

Some Concerns from a Radiological Point of View. Comment on Huang et al. Outcomes of Conversion Surgery for Metastatic Gastric Cancer Compared with In-Front Surgery Plus Palliative Chemotherapy or In-Front Surgery Alone. J. Pers. Med. 2022, 12, 555.

We read, with great interest, the article by Huang Ruo-Yi and colleagues entitled "Outcomes of Conversion Surgery for Metastatic Gastric Cancer Compared with In-Front Surgery Plus Palliative Chemotherapy or In-Front Surgery Alone", published on 1 April 2022 [...].

Dual energy CT in gland tumors: a comprehensive narrative review and differential diagnosis.

Dual energy CT (DECT)with image acquisition at two different photon X-ray levels allows the characterization of a specific tissue or material/elements, the extrapolation of virtual unenhanced and monoenergetic images, and the quantification of iodine uptake; such special capabilities make the DECT the perfect technique to support oncological imaging for tumor detection and characterization and treatment monitoring, while concurrently reducing the dose of radiation and iodine and improving the metal artifact reduction. Even though its potential in the field of oncology has not been fully explored yet, DECT is already widely used today thanks to the availability of different CT technologies, such as dual-source, single-source rapid-switching, single-source sequential, single-source twin-beam and dual-layer technologies. Moreover DECT technology represents the future of the imaging innovation and it is subject to ongoing development that increase according its clinical potentiality, in particular in the field of oncology. This review points out recent state-of-the-art in DECT applications in gland tumors, with special focus on its potential uses in the field of oncological imaging of endocrine and exocrine glands.

Angiogenesis inhibitors in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Despite significant improvements in systemic chemotherapy during the past two decades, the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma remains poor. Because of molecular heterogeneity, it is essential to classify tumors based on the underlying oncogenic pathways and to develop targeted therapies acting on individual tumors. Unfortunately, although a number of molecular targets have been studied, very few of these agents can be used in a clinical setting. In this review, we summarize the available data on anti-angiogenic agents in advanced/metastatic gastric cancer.

An exceptional overall survival using bevacizumab beyond progression in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this report, we describe a patient with NSCLC who was treated with continuation of Bevacizumab (Bev) beyond progression to first-line Bev-based chemotherapy. The prolonged treatment with Bev by continuing the inhibition of VEGF beyond first-progression has a strong rationale. Nevertheless, few data exist regarding the efficacy and safety of Bev beyond first line of chemotherapy progression in NSCLC patients. Further studies including a large number of patients are needed, in order to select patients who could benefit from this approach.

Five years of stable disease with maintenance therapy using bevacizumab and tamoxifen in a patient with metastatic breast cancer.

Bevacizumab and Tamoxifen are valid therapeutic options for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients. In this report, we describe a 47 year old woman with mBC successfully treated with a maintenance therapy with Bevacizumab+Tamoxifen. A maintenance approach using 2 different drugs with different targets and mechanism of action, such as anti-angiogenic and anti-hormonal treatment is particularly intriguing because they affect different pathways involved in mBC progression. Further studies including a large number of patients are needed, in order to select women who could benefit from this maintenance approach.

Abiraterone in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and tolerability of abiraterone acetate in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer treated previously with more than three lines of chemotherapy. Patients received 1 g of abiraterone acetate (administered as four 250 mg tablets) orally once daily with prednisone at a dose of 5 mg orally twice daily. The primary endpoint was prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response. From August 2011 to January 2013, 36 patients were enrolled. PSA response was observed in 22 patients (61.1%, 95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.81). The median time to PSA progression was 7.3 months and after a median follow-up of 10.1 months, all patients were alive. The treatment was generally well tolerated; side effects secondary to mineralocorticoid excess resulting from blockade of CYP17 were largely controlled with prednisone. Abiraterone acetate seems to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer irrespective of the number of chemotherapy lines administered previously.