Objective The mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size, and it is considered a surrogate marker of platelet activation. Because the correlation between platelet count/size and lung cancer prognosis remains unclear, this meta-analysis comprehensively evaluated the prognostic significance of MPV among patients with lung cancer. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and additional sources of relevant studies were conducted with no language restrictions from inception to 7 May 2021. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)/progression-free survival (PFS), as well as their hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were pooled to evaluate the relationship between MPV and survival. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Results Eleven studies involving 2421 patients with lung cancer were included in our analysis. Nine studies including only patients with non-small cell lung cancer were included in the meta-analysis. Our analysis revealed no significant associations of MPV with OS (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.84–1.41) and DFS/PFS (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.58–2.20). Conclusion Pretreatment MPV levels did not display prognostic significance in patients with NSCLC. Large-scale prospective studies and a validation study considering ethnicity and lung cancer staging are warranted.

Objective Breast cancer (BC) is the most common form of cancer among Asian females. Mutations in the BRCA1/ BRCA2 genes are often observed in BC cases and largely increase the lifetime risk of having BC. Because of the paucity of high-quality data on the molecular spectrum of BRCA mutations in South Asian populations, we aimed to explore these mutations among South Asian countries. Methods A systematic literature search was performed for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation spectrum using electronic databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Twenty studies were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The 185delAG (c.68_69del) mutation in exon 2 of BRCA1 was the most common recurrent mutation and founder mutation found. Various intronic variants, variants of unknown significance, large genomic rearrangements, and polymorphisms were also described in some studies. Conclusions The South Asian population has a wide variety of genetic mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 that differ according to countries and ethnicities. A stronger knowledge of various population-specific mutations in these cancer susceptibility genes can help provide efficient strategies for genetic testing.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is an extremely rare invasive breast carcinoma with rapid progression and worse prognosis. Careful assessment and diagnosis of the entity should also be considered in a rapidly progressing breast tumor.

Introduction and importance Metastatic ovarian cancer of breast carcinoma is rare and accounts for only 0.68%–2% of all ovarian tumors, the majority of which are diagnosed incidentally during follow-up or therapeutic oophorectomy. Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is a highly recommended prophylactic surgery associated with a significant decrease in ovarian cancer risk in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, and in those with and without prior breast cancer. Case presentation We present two cases who presented with a lump in the right axilla and left breast respectively and were subsequently diagnosed as invasive mammary carcinoma but later, diagnosed with metastatic ovarian carcinoma with breast primary after RRSO. The patients were treated with cycles of chemo-radiation. Discussion Invasive lobular carcinoma, larger tumor size, advanced breast cancer increases the risk of developing ovarian metastases. Thorough macroscopic, microscopic, immunohistochemical, and molecular tests are considered the cornerstone in the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer to the ovaries. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, a risk-reducing surgery for the BRCA gene mutation, has been shown to reduce the risk of death from ovarian cancer. Conclusions Metastatic ovarian cancer in breast cancer is a rare possibility among patients undergoing RRSO for breast cancer. The importance of continued surveillance of ovaries rather than the delayed diagnosis of ovarian metastasis for patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer cannot be less emphasized.

Background Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer globally with a grim prognosis alongside a very high number of cancer-related deaths. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is the measure of platelet size and is considered a surrogate marker of platelet activation. Low MPV indicates exhausted platelets causing worse outcomes in cancer patients. As the correlation between platelet count/platelet size and lung cancer prognosis still remains a topic of debate, this meta-analysis was done to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic significance of MPV among lung cancer patients.Methods A systematic search of electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Google scholar and additional sources for relevant studies were done with no language restrictions from inception to 7th May 2021. Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS)/Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were pooled to evaluate the relation of MPV with OS/DFS. Subgroup analysis based on cancer type, clinical stage, sample size, median age, cut-off value, and study region was done to identify the cause of significant heterogeneity.Results Eleven studies with 2421 lung cancer patients were included in our analysis. Our analysis showed no significant association between MPV levels with OS (H.R.:1.07, 95%C.I.:0.84–1.35, p = 0.60) and DFS/PFS (HR:1.04, 95%C.I.:0.68–1.60, p = 0.84). Under subgroup analysis, studies conducted in countries other than China (HR:1.53, 95% C.I.=1.14–2.03, p < 0.001, I2 = 42.11%) and studies with advanced-stage lung cancer patients (HR: 1.84, 95% C.I.=1.19–2.82, p-value = 0.01, I2 = 0%) showed significant association between MPV levels and worse DFS/PFS.Conclusion Pretreatment MPV levels did not show prognostic significance except in advanced lung cancer cases. Large multicentric studies with large samples and long follow-up times are necessary.