Kurtishi rejects claims that breast cancer patient who died went four months without therapy

Ilir Kurtishi, director of the Oncology Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (QKUK), has responded to reports about the death of a patient with advanced breast cancer. The “Renesansa” organization had said the patient had gone around four months without Palbociclib therapy.

Kurtishi rejected the claim that a shortage of the drug at the Oncology Clinic had left patients without this treatment for four months. He said the supply of Palbociclib had proceeded according to the planned schedule.

“The Oncology Clinic clarifies that no patients have gone four months without Palbociclib therapy, as reported, because of a shortage of this drug at the Clinic. The supply of this medication has followed the planned schedule of hospital supplies for all patients treated at our institution,” Kurtishi said.

“Renesansa” had announced that the patient, who was suffering from advanced breast cancer, had died. The organization claimed that after her therapy was interrupted for approximately four months, new metastases had appeared in her brain. According to the organization, the patient had been unable to buy the medication herself, as it costs up to 1,800 euros.

Responding to the issue, Kurtishi said metastatic breast cancer is an aggressive and complex disease. He explained that treatments, including Palbociclib, aim to slow the progression of the disease but do not necessarily stop it completely.

“In some patients, because of the tumor’s individual biological characteristics, the disease develops resistance and new metastases appear, including in the brain, even while the patient is receiving regular therapy,” he emphasized.

The director said that, without reviewing the patient’s full medical history, it was not medically sound to link the deterioration in her condition to a single factor.

According to Kurtishi, following the public response, QKUK had communicated with “Renesansa.” The organization’s representatives, he said, confirmed that the patient was facing the disease for the second time, that it was at an advanced stage, and that it was accompanied by metastases.

Kurtishi announced that details from the patient’s medical history would also be made public on Thursday, in accordance with legal confidentiality requirements.

“Tomorrow we will also publish the medical history, while, of course, complying with all confidentiality requirements under the law in force. It will also specify details about the administration of the therapy in question,” he said.

At the end of his response, the director offered his condolences to the patient’s family and criticized the publication of claims that, he said, could increase uncertainty and distress among cancer patients and their families.

He added that the Oncology Clinic was ready to cooperate with the relevant institutions and provide clarifications about patient treatment.