Barriers to Orthopaedic Oncology Care in a Resource-Constrained Setting: A Case Series of Four Patients

Ubaha AG; Dim EM

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i4.1389

Authors

Ubaha AG Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Dim EM Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i4.1389

Keywords:

Barriers, orthopaedic oncology, case series, tertiary hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

The successful management of bone and soft tissue sarcomas depends on patient, hospital, and societal factors. We present four cases that presented at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, highlighting delayed presentation, financial constraints, inappropriate biopsy, and radiotherapy gaps: a female with fungating dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans lost to follow-up; a 17-year-old male with suspected osteosarcoma of the right thigh discharged against medical advice who died at home; a 30-year-old male with soft tissue sarcoma of the foot and a history of inappropriate incisional biopsy who subsequently underwent below-knee amputation; and a 60-year-old male with high-grade liposarcoma who developed local recurrence while awaiting radiotherapy and subsequently died. Poverty, poor infrastructure, and cultural beliefs intensify these barriers.