Colorectal cancer screening: A review of current knowledge and progress in research.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, being the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Despite the progress in screening, early diagnosis, and treatment, approximately 20%-25% of CRC patients still present with metastatic disease at the time of their initial diagnosis. Furthermore, the burden of disease is still expected to increase, especially in individuals younger than 50 years old, among whom early-onset CRC incidence has been increasing. Screening and early detection are pivotal to improve CRC-related outcomes. It is well established that CRC screening not only reduces incidence, but also decreases deaths from CRC. Diverse screening strategies have proven effective in decreasing both CRC incidence and mortality, though variations in efficacy have been reported across the literature. However, uncertainties persist regarding the optimal screening method, age intervals and periodicity. Moreover, adherence to CRC screening remains globally low. In recent years, emerging technologies, notably artificial intelligence, and non-invasive biomarkers, have been developed to overcome these barriers. However, controversy exists over the actual impact of some of the new discoveries on CRC-related outcomes and how to effectively integrate them into daily practice. In this review, we aim to cover the current evidence surrounding CRC screening. We will further critically assess novel approaches under investigation, in an effort to differentiate promising innovations from mere novelties.

The lucky polyp: an unusual manifestation of chronic schistosomiasis.

A 23-year-old male from Brazil presented with bright red hematochezia. Proctological examination revealed grade II internal hemorrhoids, but flexible sigmoidoscopy uncovered a 6 mm-pedunculated polyp in the sigmoid colon, which was found to result from inflammatory reaction to Schistosoma mansoni egg deposition. The patient had no signs of portal hypertension and was successfully treated with praziquantel. This case underscores a rare presentation of chronic intestinal schistosomiasis and emphasizes the role of early diagnosis in preventing severe hepatic sequelae of chronic Schistosoma infection.

Severe Acute Liver Injury due to Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Report.

Severe acute liver injury (ALI) is mostly triggered by viral infections and hepatotoxic drugs; however, it can also be seen in systemic diseases. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, immune-mediated syndrome that presents as a life-threatening inflammatory disorder affecting multiple organs. Secondary causes occur mainly in the set of malignancy, infection, and autoimmune disease, and are seldom triggered by vaccination. Although liver involvement is common, presentation as severe ALI is rare. We describe a case of a 65-year-old male with history of low-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisolone who presented with persistent fever and jaundice 1 week after COVID-19 vaccination. The diagnosis was challenging given the predominant liver impairment, characterized by hyperbilirubinemia, transaminases over 1,000 U/L, and prolonged INR, which prompted an extensive investigation and exclusion of autoimmune, toxic, and viral causes of hepatitis. Laboratory workup revealed bicytopenia, hyperferritinemia, which together with organ failure and evidence of hemophagocytosis in bone marrow suggested the diagnosis of HLH. After excluding infectious etiologies, flare of rheumatological disease, and the progression of hematological disease, HLH was diagnosed. He was successfully treated with etoposide and corticosteroids, with dramatic improvement of liver tests. After exclusion of other causes of secondary HLH, the recent vaccination for COVID-19 was the likely trigger. We report a case of double rarity of HLH, as it presented with severe liver dysfunction which was probably triggered by vaccination. In this case, the predominant liver involvement urged extensive investigation of liver disease, so a high index of suspicion was required to make an early diagnosis. Clinicians should consider HLH in patients with unexplained signs and symptoms of systemic inflammatory response and multiorgan involvement, including severe liver involvement as the first presentation.

A lesão hepática aguda (LHA) grave é desencadeada principalmente por infeções virais e hepatotóxicos; contudo, pode ocorrer em condições com envolvimento sistémico. A linfohistiocitose hemofagocítica (LHH) é uma síndrome inflamatória, rara, imunomediada, potencialmente fatal, que pode afetar múltiplos órgãos. A LHH secundária ocorre em contexto de neoplasias, infeções e doenças autoimunes, podendo raramente ser precipitada pela vacinação. Embora seja frequente o envolvimento hepático na LHH, a apresentação como LHA grave é rara. Os autores descrevem o caso de um homem de 65 anos com história de leucemia linfocítica crónica de baixo risco e artrite reumatóide sob prednisolona de 65 anos, que se apresentou com febre persistente e icterícia uma semana após a primeira dose da vacina COVID-19. O diagnóstico constituiu um desafio dado o envolvimento hepático predominante, caracterizado por hiperbilirrubinemia, transaminases acima de 1000 U/L e INR prolongado, o que condicionou uma extensa investigação e exclusão das causas autoimunes, tóxicas, e virais de doença hepática. A presença de bicitopenia e hiperferritinemia, conjuntamente com o desenvolvimento de falências de órgão e evidência de hemofagocitose na medula óssea sugeriram o diagnóstico de LHH. Após exclusão infeções, agudização da doença reumatológica e progressão da doença hematológica, foi feito o diagnóstico de LHH.O doente foi tratado com etoposido e corticosteróides com sucesso, verificando-se uma melhoria dramática das provas hepáticas. Após a exclusão de outras causas de LHH secundária, a recente vacinação foi assumida como provável fator desencadeante. Relatamos um caso raro de LHH, quer pela apresentação com lesão hepática grave, quer pela vacinação como presumível desencadeante. Neste caso, o envolvimento hepático predominante promoveu a uma investigação extensa da doença hepática, tendo sido necessário um elevado índice de suspeição para um diagnóstico atempado. Os médicos devem considerar o diagnóstico de LHH em doentes com sinais e sintomas de resposta inflamatória sistémica, inexplicados que se acompanham por disfunção multiorgânica, nomeadamente disfunção hepática grave como apresentação clínica.