Cureus, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Март 24, 2025
Introduction Diagnostic delays in breast cancer can significantly affect treatment outcomes. Currently, the causal mechanisms and critical time thresholds remain poorly defined across different molecular subtypes of cancer. We investigated relationship between diagnostic outcomes based on data from our center, with a focus identifying actionable intervention points within pathway. Methods conducted retrospective cohort study 802 patients treated at King Fahad Specialist Hospital Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia (2017-2024). Using directed acyclic graphs mediation analysis, we quantified pathways through which impact Markov chain modeling was utilized to determine subtype-specific where stage migration probability exceeds 10%. Results found that 589 (73.5%) experienced high-risk (over two months). Stage emerged as primary mediator, accounting for 67.3% (95% CI: 58.4-76.1%) total effect survival. have identified multiple subtypes: 38 days triple-negative, 52 HER2-positive, 85 ER+/PR+/HER2- tumors. Hazard ratios mortality increased progressively delay duration, 1.18 1.05-1.32) weeks one month 2.35 2.06-2.67) are equal or more than year, translating an average 3.40 life years lost per patient. Conclusions The is fundamentally governed by tumor biology, significant vulnerability aligned aggressiveness. Our findings support applying biologically informed triage system characteristics maximum acceptable intervals. suggested approach, may achieve better balance resource constraints biological imperatives, possibly improve survival without proportional increases healthcare expenditure.
Язык: Английский