Advanced Breast Cancer: Response and Responsibility

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and only surpassed by lung cancer in the developed countries as a leading cause of death. In Jordan, breast cancer heads the list of all cancer types affecting women (33.9%). 1 In the developing countries, between 40-60% have advanced disease at presentation. 3- 5 In this report, we review the case of a 48- year old woman who presented to Jordan University Hospital with a huge fungating ulcerating malignant mass in the right breast area associated with distant metastasis. This case sheds light on two important points, namely, the delay in presentation of breast cancer s patients in the developing countries and the value of applying modern management concepts to improve outcomes in carefully selected patients. A delay in presentation of patients with breast cancer is a real obstacle facing curative management in the developing countries and sincere efforts are required to overcome this problem. Breast cancer should be treated by breast experts in specialized centers.