Open AccessLate presentation and suboptimal treatment of breast cancer among Syrian refugees: a retrospective study
Author(s) -
Hikmat AbdelRazeq,
Faris Tamimi,
Nayef Abdel-Razeq,
Maryam El-Atrash,
Baha’ Sharaf,
Rawan Mustafa,
Razan Mansour,
Rayan Bater
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/03000605211018448
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , retrospective cohort study , cancer , syrian refugees , disease , endocrine system , refugee , surgery , general surgery , hormone , archaeology , history
Objectives The crisis in Syria has had a profound impact on the entire region. In this study, we report the patterns of presentation and management of Syrian patients with breast cancer treated at our institution.Methods We retrospectively collected data on Syrian refugees treated for breast cancer over the past 10 years at our center. Management was compared against our approved clinical practice guidelines.Results A total of 113 patients were eligible and included. The median age (range) at diagnosis was 47 (21–84) years and most women presented with locally advanced or metastatic disease (n = 74, 65.5%). Breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction were performed in 27 (33.8%) and 11 (35.4%) patients, respectively. Only a few patients received targeted (35.5%) or advanced endocrine therapy (30.0%). In total, 37 (32.7%) patients had considerable deviations from our institutional treatment guidelines and had worse outcomes.Conclusions Syrian refugees with breast cancer present late, have more advanced-stage disease, and are more likely to receive delayed and suboptimal therapy. An international systematic approach for cancer care among such vulnerable populations is urgently needed.