Neoplasms Commons^™

Improving Adherence To Comprehensive Gynecological Assessments In Female Rectal Cancer Patients Prior To Rectal Cancer Treatment, Rachael Smith, Eleanor Williams, Emily Young

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: A retrospective chart review of 139 female patients with Stage I-III rectal cancer treated at our institution (2017-2022) revealed only 32.6% (n=45) had documented age-appropriate gynecologic screenings prior to surgical intervention. These findings were disseminated to colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists through departmental meetings and tumor boards. This follow-up study evaluates the impact of that educational initiative on gynecologic referral patterns. 

Hypothesis: Targeted education of colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists would significantly increase gynecologic referral rates for female rectal cancer patients. 

Methods: This pre-post quality improvement study compared gynecologic referral rates among female patients with …

Methadone-Associated Qt Prolongation: The Importance Of Early Recognition And Monitoring In The Emergency Department, Uma Murrugappan, Kelsey Murray, James Espinosa Md, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 43-year-old female with cervical cancer and bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes receiving high-dose methadone maintenance therapy who presented to the emergency department with bilateral flank and abdominal pain. She denied cardiac symptoms. Electrocardiogram obtained during evaluation revealed marked QT prolongation (QTc 596 ms) following recent methadone dose escalation. The patient was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring and intravenous magnesium was ordered. While intravenous access was being obtained, she developed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia consistent with torsades de pointes and became pulseless. Advanced cardiac life support was initiated including defibrillation and magnesium administration, with return of spontaneous …

Risk Of Colorectal And Gastrointestinal Neoplasia In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated With Infliximab Versus Vedolizumab And Ustekinumab: A 5-Year Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study, Jashanveer S. Johal, Archana Salek, Mahmoud Al-Bataineh, Bianca Patel, Abdallah Hussein, Om Patel, Jason Hyman, Yecheskel Schneider

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) confers elevated colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but comparative long-term neoplastic risks between anti-TNF and gut-selective or IL-12/23–targeted biologics remain incompletely defined. We evaluated 5-year risks of CRC and GI neoplasia in IBD patients treated with infliximab versus vedolizumab and ustekinumab.

Methods: Using the TriNetX federated research network, two parallel 5-year propensity score–matched cohort analyses were conducted among adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis initiating infliximab, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab between 2018–2024. Patients with prior CRC, colectomy, or baseline comparator biologic exposure were excluded. The infliximab–vedolizumab analysis matched 13,111 patients per cohort; the infliximab–ustekinumab analysis matched …

Isolation And Quantification Of Rna From Extracellular Vesicles Derived From A549 Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Using Ultracentrifugation, Yousef Dimian, Vanessa Pizutelli, Dimitri Pestov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained attention as potential diagnostic tools due to their presence in body fluids and their ability to carry nucleic acids, including RNA. EV-derived RNA, particularly ribosomal RNA (rRNA), may reflect cellular stress and disease states, making it a promising biomarker1, 2. This project focuses on optimizing methods to isolate EVs and quantify their RNA content using human cell culture models. Differential ultracentrifugation was used to separate vesicle populations based on size, followed by RNA extraction and quantification using a high-sensitivity assay. Initial experiments using media from three 150 mm culture dishes yielded no detectable RNA, whereas …

Case Report: Primary Appendiceal Cancer Presenting As Acute Appendicitis, Armeet Singh, Wayne Tamaska, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 46‐year‐old male who presented to the emergency department with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and was initially suspected to have acute appendicitis. Further evaluation and surgical pathology revealed primary appendiceal adenocarcinoma. Appendiceal cancer is rare and often presents with nonspecific symptoms that mimic common abdominal conditions such as appendicitis or diverticulitis. Early diagnosis can be challenging, and many cases are discovered incidentally during surgery or imaging for suspected appendicitis. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis for right lower quadrant pain.

The Klatskin Tumor: A Tumor At The Liver’S Crossroads, Asma Zahid, Sergey Medlenov, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We present a 68-year-old female with no significant oncologic history who presented to

the emergency department with a  two –week history of progressive jaundice and diarrhea.

Systematic ED evaluation revealed marked hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin 22.3 mg/dL), a

cholestatic laboratory pattern, and multimodal imaging demonstrating multifocal hepatic

masses, a porta hepatis soft tissue mass,  and biliary ductal dilatation consistent with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) with metastatic disease.

A CA 19-9 marker was markedly elevated at 379 U/mL. The patient was admitted and she underwent successful biliary decompression via ERCP with stent placement.  Outpatient oncologic therapy was initiated. This case highlights the …

An Elusive Diagnosis: Pheochromocytoma Presenting With Hyperglycemia And Hypertensive Crisis, Tucker Ledo

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor that can present with a wide range of nonspecific symptoms, often mimicking more common medical conditions and making early diagnosis difficult. We report the case of a 40-year-old female with a history of hypertension and prediabetes who presented to the emergency department with hyperglycemia following an episode of lightheadedness. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of pheochromocytoma in the emergency department, where initial symptoms may be subtle and easily attributed to more common conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or menopause. Recognition of episodic sympathomimetic symptoms and unexplained hypertensive crises should prompt consideration of pheochromocytoma …

Risk Of Colorectal And Gastrointestinal Neoplasia In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated With Adalimumab Versus Vedolizumab And Ustekinumab: A 5-Year Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study, Jashanveer S. Johal, Archana Salek, Mahmoud Al-Bataineh, Bianca Patel, Abdallah Hussein, Om Patel, Jason Hyman, Yecheskel Schneider

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but comparative neoplastic risks across biologic classes remain uncertain. We evaluated 5-year risks of CRC and GI neoplasia in IBD patients treated with adalimumab versus vedolizumab and ustekinumab using real-world data.

Methods: Using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, two parallel 5-year propensity score–matched cohort analyses were conducted among adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis initiating adalimumab, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab between 2018–2024, excluding patients with prior CRC or colectomy. The adalimumab–vedolizumab analysis matched 13,292 patients per cohort; the adalimumab–ustekinumab analysis matched 14,591 per cohort. Primary outcomes were …

A Comprehensive Review Of Photothermal Therapy: Tumor Responses, Safety, And Clinical Translation, Taniya Sood

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Cancer affects 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery often lack selectivity, resulting in significant systemic side effects. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging modality that utilizes light-activated nanoparticles to generate localized heat, selectively destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (2009–2024). Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled, cohort, and controlled trials involving adults (18+) with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Studies were required to evaluate PTT using gold nanomaterials …

The Ninth Chondroid Syringoma With Bone Formation: A Case Report, Mojan Deriss, Kelsey Ouyang, Parnian Alizadeh, Amir Qorbani, Voicu S. Ciobanu

Annual Research Symposium

This poster presents a rare case of chondroid syringoma with ossification, representing only the ninth reported instance of bone formation within this adnexal tumor. The report describes a slowly enlarging facial nodule in a 34-year-old male, detailing clinical presentation, surgical excision, and histopathologic findings. Microscopy revealed characteristic epithelial cords and tubules within a myxoid stroma, along with mature lamellar bone formation, confirming the diagnosis. The case expands the known morphologic spectrum of chondroid syringomas and highlights the importance of considering this entity in the differential diagnosis of benign facial masses, particularly when unusual features such as ossification are present.

The Role Of Exosomes In Diagnosis And Therapy Of Pancreatic Cancer, Theresa M. Biju, Anika Doppalapudi, Daniel Zubieta, Rajasekhar Baru, Fnu Shabnam, Murali M. Yallapu, Mohammed Sikander, Subhash C. Chauhan

Research Colloquium

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer and is predicted to affect 67,440 people globally in 2025. Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is almost synonymous with mortality due to late diagnosis. CA 19-9, the only FDA approved biomarker currently used to diagnose pancreatic cancer, has low sensitivity and specificity at the earlier stage of cancer presentation. Due to the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer in combination with the lack of identifiable markers, the need to develop new markers specific to pancreatic cancer is highly pertinent. Exosomes are extracellular vehicles that have been utilized by cancer cells …

Early Celiac Plexus Block In Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, Brian Fardman, Christina Sheedy, Joshua Raymond

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Both Early and Delayed Celiac Plexus Blocks (CPBs) have been used in pancreatic cancer. Early CPB is completed when criteria for CPB is initially met, whereas Delayed CPB is implemented only after recalcitrant pain persists. We describe the benefit of early CPB in pancreatic cancer management.

Ks151 Synergizes With Venetoclax And Abt-737 In Aml: Efficacy In Both Flt3-Wildtype And Flt3-Mutant Models, Sahil Jethi, Arnold Rojas, Omar S. Al-Odat, Krishne Gowda, Subash C. Jonnalagadda, Manoj Pandey

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in adult patients, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30 percent. Therefore, more effective therapeutic strategies are required to prolong the survival of AML patients. Importantly, anti-apoptotic proteins, especially B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), overexpression in AML is associated with uncontrolled growth as well as chemoresistance. Unsurprisingly, Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) overexpresses in AML and associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. The FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, has been successful in treating other hematologic malignancies, but a proportion of patients relapse mainly because of acquired mutations at Cys481Ser (C481S) in the …

Rare Jugular Bulb Tumor Presenting As Bilateral Papilledema, Yoona Choe, Matthew Boyle, Peter Maduka

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Optic disc edema, which may arise from a range of inflammatory, ischemic, compressive, infiltrative, or hereditary causes, can also indicate elevated intracranial pressure in the form of papilledema. Given its potential association with life-threatening conditions such as mass lesions or venous sinus thrombosis, timely identification and thorough evaluation are critical. In this case, a 61-year-old female presented with a complaint of a new-onset floater in her left eye. Despite minimal symptoms and an unremarkable systemic review, dilated fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc edema with hyperemia and hemorrhages, prompting urgent neuroimaging. MRI and MRV identified venous thrombi in the right …

The Effective Utilization Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Early Melanoma Detection, Svetlana Filiche

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Melanoma, while comprising only 1% of skin cancer cases, accounts for a high mortality rate due to its ability to metastasize if not detected early. Traditional face-to-face dermatologic evaluations provide limited access to care, resulting in delayed diagnoses.

Significance:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a novel approach to improve diagnostic accuracy and accessibility by alleviating strain on healthcare resources in medically underserved areas.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted using studies published in the last ten years. Eligible resources included case reports, clinical studies, clinical trials, meta-analyses, reviews, and systematic reviews in English. Studies that were repetitive or inapplicable were …

Association Of Perioperative Factors With Lymph Node Positivity In Bladder Cancer Following Radical Cystectomy, Alyssa Laguerta, Kimberly Toumazos, Virgil Kevin Demario, Vaishnavi Patel, Balaji Reddy, Mark Quiring, Evan Jones, Young Son, Ronald Clearie, Thomas Mueller

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction and objectives: The treatment of bladder carcinoma relies on a multimodal approach, including chemotherapy, radical cystectomy, and lymph node dissection, but clear guidelines for the optimal strategy remain ambiguous. Radical cystectomy is complex, with high morbidity and mortality, yet limited research has focused on its short-term implications for lymph node-positive bladder cancer. This study aims to address these gaps by identifying perioperative factors linked to lymph node positivity and comparing outcomes between lymph node-positive and negative patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 4382 bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy, collecting comprehensive clinical and surgical data. Clinical …

Analyzing Preventative Skin Care Practices Among Diabetic, Pre-Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Patients, Hetasvi A. Saraiya, Nils Brolis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background and Hypothesis: Diabetes Mellitus refers to a chronic metabolic syndrome where patients have high blood glucose due to the body’s inability to produce adequate amounts of insulin. This hyperglycemia and other factors make diabetic patients more prone to a number of skin conditions such as dry skin, skin rashes, itchiness and bacterial or fungal infections. There are specific skin practices recommended to reduce the risk of these skin ailments including moisturizing regularly, avoiding hot showers, examining feet regularly for any changes, seeing a physician for major cuts/burns/infections amongst several others. However, there is no available literature that analyzes the …

Clinical Outcomes For Smokers With Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: An Analysis Of The National Inpatient Sample, Matthew Ebrahim, Tony Elias, Sonika Vatsa, Yarin Trabelsi, Kyrillos Girgis, Taha Syed, Rafail Beshai

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We sought to examine the national inpatient sample database to describe in-hospital outcomes among smokers with EOCRC. The NIS was searched for hospitalizations of adult patients with EOCRC, defined as all-cause colorectal cancer in patients 50 years old or younger. In this nationally representative population‐based retrospective cohort study, hyperlipidemia was associated with higher mortality.

A Ticking Time Bomb: An Overview Of A Case Report Of Neutropenic Fever Secondary To Tick-Borne Illness, Yasemin Galiboglu, Danielle Thor, Joann Ha, Kristine Wong, Cindy Hou

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The advent of immunomodulatory therapies and their ever-expanding number of treatment indications necessitates the understanding of their associated complications. Neutropenic fever serves as an example of these complications often encountered in clinical practice. Although neutropenic fever can result from virtually any pathogen, episodes of the syndrome secondary to tick-borne illness remain relatively undocumented in the scientific literature. In the case presented, a 77-year-old female with a pertinent past medical history of smoldering IgG multiple myeloma on active immunosuppressive therapy presented with a first-time episode of neutropenic fever likely secondary to tick-borne illness. Through this overview of a broader report, attention …

Exploring Intracellular Signaling Responses To Ks18, A Potent Mcl-1 Inhibitor, In Multiple Myeloma, Emily Nelson, Omar S Al-Odat, Dhruti A. Brahmbhatt, Tulin Budak-Alpdogan, Subash Jonnalagadda, Manoj Kumar Pandey

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of plasma B cells, is a hematological malignancy in which patients inevitably relapse and develop drug resistance. Mcl-1, a member of the anti-apoptotic subgroup of Bcl-2 family proteins, plays a critical role in the progression of multiple myeloma and contributes significantly to drug resistance. Elevated Mcl-1 expression is observed in approximately 52% of MM patients at diagnosis, increasing to 81% at relapse. Given its driving role in disease progression and therapy resistance, Mcl-1 inhibition has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, prompting ongoing research into the development and clinical evaluation of Mcl-1 inhibitors, particularly for …

Investigating Pinch-1 In Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Potential Adjuvant Therapy Target To Improve Treatment Outcomes, Saikrishna Gaddam, Dianne Langford

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Gliomas account for approximately 80% of all brain cancers and 30% of central nervous system tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common, is unfortunately, the most aggressive glioma cancer type. Despite treatment efforts such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, nearly all low-grade astrocytoma progress to GBM without complete surgical resection. Achieving full surgical removal is typically impossible, leading to an almost 100% recurrence rate of GBM after 9 months with a median survival of approximately 15 months. This poor prognosis is due to its high invasiveness and resistance to therapy. Therefore, improved therapeutic approaches are needed to reduce recurrence and …

Side Effect Profiles In Immunotherapy Vs Chemotherapy In The Treatment Of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Chloe Triolo, Mariana Sales, Amy Nguyen, Jaclyn Schultz, Melissa Crisci

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and also one of the most curable, with current cure rates surpassing 90%. Immunotherapy using biologics is an emerging cancer treatment approach that shows significant promise and is generally less toxic than traditional chemotherapy. Due to its lower toxicity compared to chemotherapy, standalone immunotherapy may represent a promising treatment option for pediatric ALL patients.

Hypothesis: This review aims to compare acute side effect profiles and chronic complications in chemotherapy versus immunotherapy treatment modalities for pediatric patients with ALL. Immunotherapy is hypothesized to have a more tolerable side effect …

Accelerated Tumor Growth And Lymphatic Spread Of Transplantable Melanomas In Tumor Necrosis Factor(Tnf)-Transgenic Mice, Catherine F. Alapatt, Robert Hughes, Roger Sheffmaker, Gillian Mcguire, Daniel Deegan, Igor Kuzin, Andrea Bottaro

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer among American adults, with significant morbidity and mortality at 5 years remaining >60% for patients with stage IV disease. The malignancy is due to the transformation of melanocytes, with one of the major risk factors being ultraviolet light exposure. Although as many as one in five human cancers have been linked to chronic inflammation, the role of inflammatory signals in melanoma growth and metastasis remains poorly understood.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-transgenic (TNFtg) mice are a well-established model of chronic systemic inflammation, with involvement of joints and other organ systems. To assess the effect …

Photodynamic Therapy Vs. 5-Fluorouracil For Field-Directed Treatment Of Actinic Keratosis: A Comparative Literature Review, Bhumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common precancerous skin condition arising from chronic UV exposure and often involves field cancerization, where visible lesions coexist with subclinical damage. Effective field-directed treatments are critical for preventing progression to squamous cell carcinoma.

HYPOTHESIS: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) may offer superior efficacy, cosmetic outcomes, and patient adherence compared to topical 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), despite its higher cost and clinical setting requirement.

METHODS: This literature review analyzed peer-reviewed studies from 2015–2025 comparing PDT and 5-FU for field-directed AK treatment. Outcomes assessed included lesion clearance, recurrence, tolerability, adherence, cost, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: PDT demonstrated high clearance rates …

Optimizing Preventive Care: The Impact Of A Student-Led Initiative To Improve Cancer Screenings In Primary Care, Katherine Klein, Priya Srivastava, John Sauer, Sahiba Gill, Nirali Trivedi, Fadia Barakzai, Yeonwoo Sim, Matthew Green, Anne Jones, Philip Collins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Context:

Preventative health measures, including routine cancer screenings, are essential for early detection, timely treatment, and reduction of cancer mortality rates.

Colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer are among the most routinely screened cancers due to advancements in screening technologies1. However, despite the well-established importance of early detection, patient adherence and compliance with national guidelines remain suboptimal, limiting the effectiveness of these screening efforts and delaying possible treatment.2

Objective:

To address this issue, we initiated a medical student-led project focused on improving adherence to national cancer screening guidelines across Rowan-Virtua Family Medicine (FM) practices. This poster outlines the overall efficacy of …

A Case Report Of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Presenting With Diabetes Insipidus, Lan Ngo, Adam Kandil

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is characterized by decreased secretion or action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), resulting in polyuria, polydipsia, and potential electrolyte disturbances. Severe hypernatremia secondary to uncontrolled DI can manifest with neurologic symptoms including seizure-like activity. This case report discusses a case of central DI arising from damage to the pituitary gland as the first presentation of a brain tumor, in the context of a 56-year-old patient who presented with seizure-like activity and sensory changes.

Case: Pituitary Mass In A Pediatric Patient, Alyssa Baldini, Carla Calvo

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 16-year-old female presented to the pediatric emergency department for intermittent visual disturbance and was diagnosed with a pituitary mass resulting in episodic complete bilateral vision loss. Pediatric neurologic complaints can be challenging for a number of reasons. It is important as much as possible to obtain a detailed history from the patient and parent, conduct a relevant chart review, and identify if there have been any recent medication changes. Seeking expert consultation may also be helpful in establishing a diagnosis.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Due To Germ Cell Tumor In A Young Adult: Case Report, Manlio F. Lara Duck, Netzahualcoyotl Mayek Pérez, Juan Rosales Martínez

Research Symposium

Background: In superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), the superior vena cava becomes mechanically obstructed by venous thrombus formation or by compression caused by intrathoracic tumors. SVCS is most common in men over 45 years of age; 22.5% of patients with SVCS have stage IV lung cancer or lymphoma. SVCS may occur secondary to extrathoracic tumors (testicular, ovarian, kidney, intestinal).

Case presentation: Male (24 years old) with a history of cancer in his maternal grandmother; denied drug addiction. Factory worker who denied being in direct contact with any chemicals and/or toxins. He reported non-productive cough; paroxysmal unilateral left facial edema without …

Alk Drives Neuroblastoma Tumorigenesis Via Upregulation Of Postn And Activation Of Wnt And Stat3 Signaling, Miller Huang, Wanqi Fang, Alvin Farrel, Linwei Li, Tania Porras Corredor, Shahab Asgharzadeh, John Maris, William A. Weiss

Research Symposium

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Two of the earliest known genetic drivers of NB are the oncogene MYCN and receptor tyrosine kinase ALK. While animal models show MYCN and mutationally active ALK F1174L can accelerate NB tumorigenesis, the mechanism of this cooperation is unknown. This study applied a human stem cell-based model to elucidate how ALK cooperates with MYCN to accelerate tumorigenesis of NB.

Methods: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were engineered with doxycycline-inducible MYCN and constitutively active ALKF1174L. These iPSCs were differentiated into trunk neural crest cells (tNCCs) and orthotopically transplanted into …

The Link Between Alcohol And Cancer: An Under Recognized Major Public Health Problem., Ihsan Salloum

Research Symposium

Objectives: Alcohol use related consequences is a worldwide major public health problem. Alcohol use is globally responsible for three million deaths each year and accounts for 5.1% of the global burden of disease. It accounts for the highest proportion of premature mortality among those ages between 15 and 49 years of age. Alcohol use has been linked to more than 200 disease and injury conditions and to poor health and disabilities of millions of people. While the link between alcohol and cancer has been recognized for a while, the awareness of such connection is still limited among the public …