Colorectal cancer still remains the third cause of cancer death among cancer patients. Early diagnosis is crucial and they can be either endoscopic or with blood biomarkers. Endoscopic methods consist of gastroscopy and colonoscopy, however; in recent years, endoscopic ultrasound is being used. The microenvironment is very important for the successful delivery of the treatment. Several proteins and hormones play a crucial role in the efficiency of the treatment. In the current mini review we will focus on interferon-γ.

Current statistics indicate that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. Major predisposing conditions are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. To date treatment approach includes liver transplantation, surgical resection and or ablation, however; recurrence, metastasis, and mortality still remains high. Therefore, alternative treatments such as gene therapy is increasingly being considered as a feasible proposal. In this mini review we will focus on novel data of the past 10 years on the subject of gene therapy and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Obturator hernias are exceedingly rare in surgical routine, constituting 0.073% of all intra-abdominal hernias in the West and 1% in the far East. Commonly known as ‘little old lady’s hernia’, obturator hernias are usually seen in frail, octogenarian multiparous women. This case report discusses an 85-year-old female who had symptoms of acute bowel obstruction; thanks to high degree of clinical suspicion and aided by a computed tomography (CT) of abdomen and pelvis, an incarcerated right obturator hernia was diagnosed preoperatively and treated successfully. Obturator hernia is a rare condition associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. CT scan is the most accurate imaging method for pre-operative diagnosis. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are fundamentals to lead to better outcomes for the patients.

Skin cancer is divided to melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma occurs due to deregulation of melanocytes. Melanoma is frequent in Caucasian population. During the last decade there is an increase in melanoma and in many cases there is a diagnostic challenge. Moreover; choosing the right treatment is a challenge for many patients. Malignant melanoma is known to be a lethal disease due to its aggressive capacity for metastasis and resistance to therapy. In the last decade, considerable efforts have gone into development of an effective immunotherapy for treatment of melanoma. The combination of macrophage activation and other treatments such as immunotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, may provide an effective and comprehensive anti-melanoma strategy.