Rania Alem, Loubna Omri, Sihame Lkhoyaali, El Ghissassi Ibrahim, Boutayeb Saber, Mrabti Hind, Errihani Hassan
Journal: Medpeer Publisher
ISSN: 3066-2737
Volume: 2
Issue: 8
Date of Publication: 2025/08/27
Introduction: Primary lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In Morocco, it represents the most common malignancy in men, with often late presentation and limited access to therapeutic innovations. Improving the care pathway is a major challenge to optimize management.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical, histological, and molecular characteristics of lung cancer patients managed at the National Institute of Oncology (NIO) in Rabat, by identifying key delays in the care pathway and barriers to access to precision medicine.
Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 100 patients diagnosed between September and December 2022. Data including delays between diagnostic and therapeutic steps, molecular profiles, and treatment modalities, were extracted from medical records and the ENOVA system,.
Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 64 years, with a male predominance (86%). Most patients (71%) were at stage IV at diagnosis. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological subtype (64%). Molecular testing was incomplete or absent in more than half of the patients. No patient received immunotherapy or targeted therapy. The average delays was 13 days between histological diagnosis and medical record opening, 44 days until treatment initiation, and 61 days for the molecular results. Moreover, 42% of patients were lost to follow-up before treatment initiation.
Conclusion: This study highlights significant delays in the care pathway of lung cancer patients, which can compromise access to innovative treatments. Urgent measures are needed to improve multidisciplinary coordination, reduce diagnostic delays, and ensure equity in access to personalized medicine.
Lung cancer, care pathway, NGS, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, Morocco.
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