Background We conducted a meta-analysis, in order to appraise the effect of microvessel density (MVD) on the survival of patients with cutaneous melanoma. Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A systematic literature search in electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) was performed. Fixed Effects or Random Effects model was used, based on the Cochran Q test. Results In total 9 studies (903 patients) were included. Pooled HR for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 2.62 (95% CI: 0.71–9.60, p = 0.15) and 2.64 (95% CI: 0.82–8.47, p = 0.10), respectively. Odds ratios of overall survival between high and low MVD groups, at 12 (1.45, 95% CI: 0.16–13.24), 36 (2.93, 95% CI: 0.63–13.59), and 60 (4.09, 95% CI: 0.85–19.77) months did not reach statistical significance. Significant superiority of low MVD group, in terms of DFS, at all time intervals (OR: 4.69, p < 0.0001; OR: 2.18, p = 0.004; OR: 7.46, p = 0.01, resp.) was documented. Discussion MVD does not affect the HR of OS and DFS. A strong correlation with DFS rates at 12, 36, and 60 months was recorded.

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Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening medical condition which usually occurs in the course of parenchymal destructive diseases. We herein report the case of a 61-year-old male patient who presented with massive hemoptysis six months after commencement of dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and ticagrelor, for drug-eluting coronary stents. Control of bleeding with discontinuation of both antiplatelet agents, as well as negative imaging and laboratory studies for other pulmonary hemorrhage causes, indicate that either of the antiplatelet drugs or combination thereof was the cause of the pulmonary hemorrhage. In contrast to the previous limited case reports with pulmonary hemorrhage early during antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor, this case highlights that it can even occur later in the course of antiplatelet therapy.

BACKGROUND Microvessel density (MVD) has been proposed as a direct quantification method of tumor neovascularization. However, the current literature regarding the role of MVD in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) remains inconclusive. AIM To appraise the effect of tumoral MVD on the survival of patients with DTC. METHODS This meta-analysis was based on the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The electronic databases Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically screened. A fixed-effects or random-effects model was used, according to the Cochran Q test. The data were then extracted and assessed on the basis of the Reference Citation Analysis ( ). RESULTS A total of nine studies were included in the present study. Superiority of low MVD tumors in terms of 10-year disease free survival (OR: 0.21, 95%CI: 0.08–0.53) was recorded. Lowly vascularized thyroid cancers had a lower recurrence rate (OR: 13.66, 95%CI: 3.03–61.48). Moreover, relapsing tumors [weighed mean difference (WMD): 11.92, 95%CI: 6.32–17.52] or malignancies with regional lymph node involvement (WMD: 8.53, 95%CI: 0.04–17.02) presented with higher tumoral MVD values. CONCLUSION MVD significantly correlates with the survival outcomes of thyroid cancer patients. However, considering several study limitations, further prospective studies of higher methodological and quality level are required.

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