Ministry of Health publishes full medical timeline of cancer patient who died

Durim Elshani, media adviser to Health Minister Arben Vitia, has provided details about the medical treatment of the oncology patient who died, stressing that her medical records show she received the prescribed therapy, but her condition worsened nonetheless.

In a Facebook post, Elshani urged the media to be mindful of the family’s grief and not to link the death to a lack of therapy without evidence in the medical records.

According to information presented by Elshani, the patient was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and successfully completed her initial cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In December 2025, the disease returned, with metastases in the bones and omentum. After the Oncology Clinic’s medical team reviewed her case, it was decided that she would be treated with Palbociclib and Fulvestrant.

Elshani said the patient had been receiving the therapy since May 2026, and that treatment continued without interruption in June, July and August.

However, examination results showed that the cancer had progressed and new metastases had appeared in the brain and spine, despite the regular administration of therapy.

In the final stage, after determining that the tumor had become resistant to the initial treatment, doctors decided to switch to a new regimen of Capecitabine and palliative radiotherapy to the brain, aiming to slow the tumor and ease her suffering.

According to the statement, the patient was unable to withstand this treatment at such an advanced stage and died.

Elshani stressed that every step in the medical process is documented in official records. He added that the complete medical file is available for review by authorized authorities and the relevant institutions at the Oncology Clinic.

The patient’s identity has not been disclosed in accordance with confidentiality requirements and personal data protection legislation.