Archives of Surgical Oncology

The landscape of cancer treatment has significantly evolved, with increasing numbers of patients incorporating Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) into their healing journeys. Despite the widespread use of CAM among cancer patients, frank and informative discussions regarding these therapies between patients and healthcare providers are often lacking. This article delves into the often-unspoken realm of CAM in cancer care, where doctors' concerns about the lack of empirical evidence intersect with patients' strong desire for information and choices. We explore how the dearth of knowledge surrounding CAM can impede this crucial dialogue, ultimately impacting patient-centered care. Furthermore, we discuss the potential advantages of enhancing communication and understanding between healthcare providers and patients in the CAM domain, ultimately fostering better-informed, empowered, and supported cancer treatment decisions.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, technology has emerged as a powerful catalyst for enhancing the precision and efficacy of medical procedures. One field where this transformation is particularly noteworthy is rectal surgery. This article explores the promising realm of machine learning applied to phase and structure recognition in rectal surgery, shedding light on the significant strides being made in surgical phase recognition within rectal resection videos. We embark on a journey through the convergence of technology and surgical excellence, showcasing how machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, is reshaping the practice of medicine. With its capability to analyze vast datasets, identify intricate patterns, and make insightful predictions, machine learning stands as a transformative force in the world of rectal surgery, promising a future marked by heightened precision and improved patient outcomes.

The postoperative period following cancer surgery is a pivotal juncture in a patient's path to recovery, fraught with the specter of cancer recurrence. To address this critical challenge, innovative strategies are now at the forefront of cancer care. This article delves into groundbreaking research, unveiling a surgically optimized poly(I:C) hydrogel that not only prevents postoperative cancer recurrence but does so through a unique and promising mechanism. By harnessing the interferon-alpha (IFNα) response, attracting inflammatory monocytes, and depleting regulatory T cells (Tregs), this hydrogel emerges as a potential game-changer in the prevention of postoperative cancer recurrence. We scrutinize the significance of these findings and their potential to reshape the landscape of postoperative cancer care, offering newfound hope and assurance to patients in their journey toward recovery.