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Background: Pelvic lipomas, particularly when massive in size, present unique surgical challenges due to their intricate anatomical location and proximity to vital structures. Complete resection of tumor is the basic principle. In this case, we demonstrated the complete resection of a huge pelvic lipoma by laparoscopy combined with a transsacral approach, which was rarely reported in the relevant literature. According to our case, a two-step abdomino-parasacral approach provides more flexibility, but also a safe and easier dissection in deep pelvic. Case Description: A 74-year-old female presented to the outpatient clinic, complaining of abdominal distension and difficulty in defecation for over 6 months. The patient had no obvious concomitant symptoms and she had a history of hypertension. After completing the relevant tests, the patient was diagnosed with a pelvic tumor, possibly a lipoma. We performed a two-step abdomino-parasacral approach to remove the tumor and the tumor was confirmed as lipoma. There was no tumor recurrence sign after 7 months follow-up for the patient. Conclusions: A two-step abdomino-parasacral resection of the lipomatous tumor were advantageous to manage en bloc resection of a giant pelvic lipoma in our case report. This case report can provide some reference for the treatment of pelvic giant lipoma in the future.

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BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with approximately 1.9 million new cases and over 935,000 deaths in 2020. Right-sided colon cancer, a subset of colorectal cancer, represents a significant health burden. Laparoscopic colon surgery has significantly improved postoperative recovery. The superiority of one approach or landmark over another is still argued about due to the lack of large-scale prospective studies. However, deep understanding both of the anatomical variation and characteristics of each approach is of extreme importance to minimizing adverse effects and maximizing patient benefit after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Among these, the cranial-to-caudal approach offers advantages such as reduced intraoperative blood loss, shorter operation time, and decreased risk of vascular injury. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of two cranial-to-caudal approaches for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH). Specifically, the study aims to evaluate the differences between the conventional cranial-to-caudal approach with medial ligation of the middle colic vein (MCV), and the cranial-to-caudal approach with cranial MCV ligation and surgical trunk sheath opening (CC-plus). The goal is to determine which method offers superior outcomes in terms of intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and overall patient recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study compared two cranial-to-caudal approaches for LRH. The study included 51 patients who underwent LRH between January 2021 and November 2023 at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (26 patients) used the cranial-to-caudal approach with medial ligation of the middle colic vein (MCV), and Group B (25 patients) used the cranial-to-caudal approach with cranial MCV ligation and surgical trunk sheath opening (CC-plus). General characteristics, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age, gender, tumor location, or clinical staging. All patients achieved R0 resection with no perioperative deaths. The CC-plus group had significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss and shorter operation time compared to the CC group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in first postoperative exhausting time, first postoperative defecation time, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant differences were evaluated in postoperative complications (surgical site infection (SSI), ileus or bowel obstruction, refractory diarrhea, anastomotic leakage, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), hemorrhage) between the two groups on a median follow up of 12.6 months. Pathological examination showed no significant differences in total lymph nodes dissected and tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS: The cranial-to-caudal approach with MCV ligation via the cranial approach (CC-plus) is a safe and effective method for LRH, offering advantages in terms of reduced operation time and intraoperative blood loss. This study's findings suggest that the CC-plus approach may be superior to the conventional cranial-to-caudal approach.

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The global healthcare sector faced immense challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Oncologists noted reduced cancer screening, which impacted melanoma diagnosis and treatment, leading to concerns about delayed care and poorer outcomes. This review analyzes how the pandemic influenced melanoma ulceration risk and Breslow thickness index through a meta-analysis of published studies. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of literature from January 2021 to December 2022 on cutaneous melanoma before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon screening 1854 manuscripts, the review led to 13 studies meeting inclusion standards. The quality assessment followed MINORS and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria. Regarding ulceration, post-COVID ulceration surpassed pre-COVID levels significantly, with a risk ratio of 1.31 and an estimated odds ratio of 1.41, indicating a 44% rise post-COVID. As for Breslow thickness, studies show a rising trend in the Breslow index post-COVID, but less significantly, with an effect size of 0.08 regarding the meta-analysis model (P = 0.02) with a pre-COVID mean Breslow of 1.56 mm and post-COVID of 1.84 mm. This meta-analysis concluded that post-COVID ulceration rates significantly surpassed pre-COVID levels. Considering that ulcerated melanomas usually undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy and are more likely to benefit from adjuvant therapies, this indicates important implications, as many patients might have missed the opportunity to start therapy appropriately, regardless of their Breslow thickness status.

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OBJECTIVES: Conflicting results about clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the associated risk factors have been reported. Hence, we aimed to determine the prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in a large number of Italian SSc patients and the associated risk factors. METHODS: This study included 613 SSc patients from 11 Italian tertiary Rheumatologic Units. All patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination, and relevant laboratory and radiological investigations. Doppler ultrasonography (US) of the common carotid and upper and lower limbs was performed to measure carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (cIMT and fIMT), and carotid and peripheral atheroma plaques. Doppler US of the brachial artery was performed to measure flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). RESULTS: Patients were mostly women (91.4%) with a median age of 61 years (range, 20-100); a median disease duration of 14 years (range, 0-77) from the onset of the first non-Raynaud's phenomenon (RP); 9.3% had a history of clinical atherosclerosis (9 stable/unstable angina, 21 myocardial infarctions, 24 heart failure, 3 strokes, 8 transient ischaemic attack, 6 intermittent claudication, 10 atrial thrombo-embolism). In 37.1% of patients, subclinical atherosclerosis was detected, after excluding those with a history of clinical atherosclerosis. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis was higher than that reported by the European Society of Cardiology and observational studies that enrolled Italian healthy individuals as a control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis was detected in SSc Italian patients and correlated with traditional and SSc-related risk factors.

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Obesity/overweight and its complications are a growing problem in many countries. Italian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Società Italiana di Chirurgia dell'Obesità e delle Malattie Metaboliche-SICOB) decided to develop the first Italian guidelines for the endoscopic bariatric treatment of obesity. The creation of SICOB Guidelines is based on an extended work made by a panel of 44 members and a coordinator. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology has been used to decide the aims, reference population, and target health professionals. Clinical questions have been created using the PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome) conceptual framework. We will perform systematic reviews, formal meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses for each PICO and critical outcomes aimed at assessing and rating the efficacy and safety of endoscopic bariatric procedures in comparison with either no interventions, lifestyle interventions, or approved anti-obesity treatments in trials with a follow-up of at least 52 weeks. For PICO on temporary endoscopic bariatric treatments, we will also consider RCT with a minimum duration of 6 months. The panel proposed 8 questions, organized into four domains: A. Indication for endoscopic bariatric surgery; B. Revisional surgery; C. Temporary gastric and duodenal-jejunal procedures; D. Endoscopic diagnosis/treatment of bariatric and metabolic surgery complications. These guidelines will apply to patients aged ≥ 14 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and requiring endoscopic bariatric surgery or endoscopic diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures. The areas covered by the clinical questions included indications of endoscopic bariatric surgery, types of surgery, revisional surgery, and management of bariatric and metabolic surgery complications.

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Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most widespread bariatric procedure due to its safety and efficacy. Despite continuous refinement, achieving a globally standardized procedure remains challenging. Moreover, due to its wide adoption, numerous studies have focused on complications associated with the technique, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study evaluates the impact of antrum size (wide antrectomy versus small antrectomy) in LSG on long-term anthropometric outcomes and complications in patients with morbid obesity. Methods: Body mass index (BMI), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at a 5-year follow-up, GERD Health-Related Quality-of-Life (GERD-HRQL) scores, and obesity-related diseases of patients undergoing LSG with gastric resections starting 2 cm and 6 cm from the pylorus were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Between January 2015 and November 2019, 597 patients who met the criteria for LSG were included in the study. Group A (241 patients) underwent wide antrectomy, while Group B (356 patients) underwent small antrectomy. Weight, BMI, %EWL, and %TWL significantly improved at 6 and 12 months in the wide-antrectomy group. However, these differences diminished by 24 months, with no significant long-term differences in weight loss outcomes between the two groups at 5 years. Conversely, GERD-HRQL scores were significantly better in the small-antrectomy group until 24 months; thereafter, results were comparable between groups over the long term. Conclusions: Therefore, while wide antrectomy may offer superior short-term anthropometric outcomes, both techniques yield similar long-term results regarding weight management and GERD incidence. Larger prospective studies are needed to further address this issue.

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Chronic radiation proctitis, although relatively rare, can be the source of severe comorbidity in patients who had undergone prior radiotherapy for pelvic malignancy. Although current treatments for radiation proctitis include argon plasma coagulation, heater probe, bipolar neodymium/yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) lasers, these interventions are often burdened by the frequent occurrence of rectal ulcerations and stenosis. Since radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently used to ablate esophageal malignancy and pre-malignancy, we report the efficacy of RFA using through the scope system in two patients with rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis. In both cases, the procedure was well-tolerated with hemostasis achieved after 1 or 2 sessions of RFA. Mucosal re-epithelialization was observed in areas of previous bleeding with no stenosis or ulceration observed at follow-up.

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Background: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) originating from the adrenal gland is exceedingly rare, constituting a minute fraction of soft tissue sarcomas. Due to its rarity, with less than 50 documented cases in English medical literature, the diagnosis and management of adrenal LMS remain challenging. The aim of this study was to perform a review of the literature, in order to evaluate the prognosis of these rare cancers and report our specific case. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, up to December 2020. The search utilized MeSH terms such as "Adrenal Gland Neoplasms," "Leiomyosarcoma," "Adrenalectomy," and "Smooth Muscle Tumor." The inclusion criteria focused on studies reporting patients with a histopathological diagnosis of adrenal leiomyosarcoma. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Results: Out of 63 identified studies, 43 met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. These studies highlighted the rarity and aggressive behavior of adrenal leiomyosarcoma. Surgical excision remains the cornerstone of treatment, often complemented by adjuvant therapies. The reviewed case involved a 52-year-old woman who underwent a right laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a 9 × 7 × 6 cm grade 3 leiomyosarcoma. Despite subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy, hepatic metastases were detected, illustrating the aggressive nature of the disease. The literature underscores the importance of histopathological analysis and long-term surveillance for managing disease progression. Conclusions: Optimal management of adrenal leiomyosarcoma requires a multidisciplinary approach and meticulous follow-up. The rarity of the disease poses challenges for standardizing treatment, but surgical excision and tailored adjuvant therapies show promise. Further research is essential to refine treatment strategies and improve prognosis for this rare malignancy.

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Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) represent a rare subset of pancreatic cancer. Functional tumors cause hormonal changes and clinical syndromes, while non-functional ones are often diagnosed late. Surgical management needs multidisciplinary planning, involving enucleation, distal pancreatectomy with or without spleen preservation, central pancreatectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy. Minimally invasive approaches have increased in the last decade compared to the open technique. The aim of this study was to analyze the current diagnostic and surgical trends for pNETs, to identify better interventions and their outcomes. Methods: The study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, conducting a systematic review of the literature from May 2008 to March 2022 across multiple databases. Several combinations of keywords were used ("NET", "pancreatic", "surgery", "laparoscopic", "minimally invasive", "robotic", "enucleation", "parenchyma sparing") and relevant article references were manually checked. The manuscript quality was evaluated. Results: The study screened 3867 manuscripts and twelve studies were selected, primarily from Italy, the United States, and China. A total of 7767 surgically treated patients were collected from 160 included centers. The mean age was 56.3 y.o. Enucleation (EN) and distal pancreatectomy (DP) were the most commonly performed surgeries and represented 43.4% and 38.6% of the total interventions, respectively. Pancreatic fistulae, postoperative bleeding, re-operation, and follow-up were recorded and analyzed. Conclusions: Enucleation shows better postoperative outcomes and lower mortality rates compared to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP), despite the similar risks of postoperative pancreatic fistulae (POPF). DP is preferred over enucleation for the pancreas body-tail, while laparoscopic enucleation is better for head pNETs.

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Magnusiomyces capitatus (M. capitatus) is an emerging opportunistic yeast in the Mediterranean region typically isolated from immunocompromised patients, usually affected by blood malignancies. We reported a rare case of M. capitatus infection, isolated from a drainage fluid in a patient affected by lung cancer recovered in the University Hospital of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. The isolate was identified by phenotypic methods, i.e., Gram and Lactophenol cotton blue (LCB) staining, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. We identified M. capitatus on the third day from Sabouraud Dextrose Agar supplemented with chloramphenicol and gentamicin. Antifungal susceptibility test revealed that 5-fluorocytosine was the most active drug against M. capitatus, followed by itraconazole and voriconazole, micafungin, amphotericin B and fluconazole, posaconazole, anidulafungin, and caspofungin. Our data showed the importance of an early cultural and fast microbiology diagnosis based on the characteristic morphologic features observed in Gram-stained smears of blood culture positive bottles, and the validation via MALDI-TOF MS. This dual approach has significant impact in the clinical management of infectious diseases and antibiotic stewardship, by integrating sample processing, fluid handling, and detection for rapid bacterial diagnosis.

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Background: Breast localization plays a key role in early breast cancer (BC) surgery. The current gold standard is wire-guided localization (WGL), despite the known disadvantages. The patients often experience anxiety and discomfort due the metallic wire placed in the breast, and surgeons are compelled to perform the surgery on the same day as the radiological release of the wire to prevent migrations or breakages. Various wireless systems have been proposed as alternative to WGL. LOCalizerTM offers the advantage of providing the exact distance from the marker called Tag. The combined technique using LOCalizerTM and US allows for determining the distance from the BC margin, a critical surgical goal for oncological radicality. Methods: Patients referred for breast surgery to two Italian hospitals were enrolled and divided into two groups: Group A, including patients undergoing a combined approach, and group B, including patients treated with conventional WGL. Results: The combined approach with LOCalizerTM and US was associated with better outcomes in terms of oncological radicality, cosmetic results, and patients' satisfaction. Conclusions: In the current study, LOCalizerTM associated with US could be considered an excellent approach for localizing non-palpable BC. Further larger comparative studies are needed to address this issue.

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The present document constitutes Part 2 of the EoETALY Consensus Statements guideline on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) developed by experts in the field of EoE across Italy (i.e., EoETALY Consensus Group). Part 1 was published as a different document, and included three chapters discussing 1) definition, epidemiology, and pathogenesis; 2) clinical presentation and natural history and 3) diagnosis of EoE. The present work provides guidelines on the management of EoE in two final chapters: 4) treatment and 5) monitoring and follow-up, and also includes considerations on knowledge gaps and a proposed research agenda for the coming years. The guideline was developed through a Delphi process, with grading of the strength and quality of the evidence of the recommendations performed according to accepted GRADE criteria.This document has received the endorsement of three Italian national societies including the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), the Italian Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SINGEM), and the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC). The guidelines also involved the contribution of members of ESEO Italia, the Italian Association of Families Against EoE.

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Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic type 2-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus that represents the most common eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease. Experts in the field of EoE across Italy (i.e., EoETALY Consensus Group) including gastroenterologists, endoscopists, allergologists/immunologists, and paediatricians conducted a Delphi process to develop updated consensus statements for the management of patients with EoE and update the previous position paper of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE) in light of recent evidence. Grading of the strength and quality of the evidence of the recommendations was performed using accepted GRADE criteria. The guideline is divided in two documents: Part 1 includes three chapters, namely 1) definition, epidemiology, and pathogenesis; 2) clinical presentation and natural history, and 3) diagnosis, while Part 2 includes two chapters: 4) treatment and 5) monitoring and follow-up. This document has received the endorsement of three Italian national societies including the SIGE, the Italian Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SINGEM), and the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC). With regards to patients' involvement, these guidelines involved the contribution of members of ESEO Italia, the Italian Association of Families Against EoE.

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Background. Obesity is a prevalent condition associated with various comorbidities, impacting mortality, fertility, and quality of life. Its relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII) is well established, with nearly 44% prevalence. Bariatric surgery has proven crucial for treating both obesity and DMII. The comparison between surgical techniques, such as sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), remains controversial in terms of glycemic control efficacy. This retrospective study aimed to assess DMII remission efficacy between SG and OAGB after 36 months. Methods. From January 2016 to September 2020, 201 patients who underwent SG and OAGB for morbid obesity associated with DMII were accurately followed-up with for 36 months, focusing on %HbA1c, DMII remission, anthropometric results, and nutrient deficiency. Results. Although DMII remission did not exhibit statistical significance between the groups (82% vs. 93%, SG vs. OAGB, p = 0.051), OAGB demonstrated a more robust association with glycemic control (Odds Ratio 0.51) throughout the entire follow-up and yielded superior anthropometric outcomes. Notably, nutrient deficiencies, excluding cholecalciferol, iron, and riboflavin, did not show significant intergroup differences. Conclusions. This study contributes valuable insights into the extended-term efficacy of SG and OAGB in DMII remission. The nuanced findings underscore the multifaceted nature of metabolic outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond weight loss influence diabetes resolution. Larger comparative studies are warranted to comprehensively address this issue.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of voice therapy combined with standard anti-reflux therapy in reducing symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Methods: A randomised clinical trial was conducted. Fifty-two patients with LPR diagnosed by 24 h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring were randomly allocated in two groups: medical treatment (MT) and medical plus voice therapy (VT). Clinical symptoms and laryngeal signs were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment with the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and GRBAS scales. Results: Groups had similar scores at baseline. At 3-month follow-up, a significant decrease in RSI and RFS total scores were found in both groups although it appeared to be more robust in the VT group. G and R scores of the GRBAS scale significantly improved after treatment in both groups, with better results in the VT group. The VHI total score at 3 months improved more in the VT group (VHI delta 9.54) than in the MT group (VHI delta 5.38) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The addition of voice therapy to medications and diet appears to be more effective in improving treatment outcomes in subjects with LPR. Voice therapy warrants consideration in addition to medication and diet when treating patients with LPR.

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Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors characterized by a difficult diagnosis. The primitive tumor remains unknown, whereas metastases are the most common manifestation. Occult male breast cancers are very rare types of CUPs. The present study describes the case of a 64-year-old man affected by a CUP of presumed mammary origin. The aim of the article and the present review was to focus on their management. To the best of our knowledge, only thirteen cases have been reported in the literature. Because no specific guidelines are available, various approaches have been applied, influencing the treatment and the prognosis of patients with CUP.

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Pathological obesity is a growing public health concern, and its association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) poses challenges in selecting the appropriate bariatric procedure. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become a popular choice due to its simplicity and effectiveness in weight loss. However, concerns regarding postoperative GERD have been raised. This study aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative assessment of esophageal function and the risk of developing postoperative GERD in patients undergoing SG. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted, including symptom assessment, upper endoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), and 24 h esophageal pH impedance monitoring (MII-pH). A total of 500 obese patients were included, and their data were compared with 25 healthy volunteers. This study revealed that patients without GERD symptoms, normal endoscopy, HRM, and MII-pH were suitable candidates for SG, with low risk of developing postoperative GERD. The addition of fundoplication techniques to SG may be considered in patients with mild reflux or those at risk of developing it. This study emphasizes the importance of preoperative evaluation in selecting the appropriate bariatric procedure to minimize the risk of postoperative GERD and expand the indications for SG in obese patients.

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Breast angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy, accounting for less than 1% of all soft tissue cancers. It comprises primitive and secondary subtypes, such as radiogenic breast angiosarcoma (RAS). Despite multimodal treatment, angiosarcomas represent an incurable disease for many patients and a significant cause of deterioration in their quality of life. Surgery is a cornerstone in management, but high recurrence rates are reported. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a practicable locoregional treatment for patients with advanced angiosarcoma as part of a multimodal therapeutic strategy. The palliative benefits of ECT include optimal patient compliance, good local hemostasis control, and positive local responses. Since only 22 cases are described in the literature, we reported a rare case of RAS treated with ECT after a multidisciplinary approach, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A literature review on the feasibility of ECT in RAS management was also performed.