South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
-
Breast cancer is recognised as a heterogeneous disorder, comprising a number of subcategories of several cellular compositions, molecular alterations as well as clinical behaviour. Across the world, research has been able to show that the most common molecular subtype is luminal A, followed by triple negative and human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2)-positive (non-luminal) subtype. However, another study found that the most common molecular subtype was HER2/neu amplification, suggesting that subtypes case frequencies differ in different people. ⋯ The majority of our patients had luminal subtypes and hormonal receptor-positive breast cancers, which should be associated with very good clinical outcomes. However, the majority of patients presented late with advanced-stage disease and high Ki-67 expression. Therefore, research is required to help us understand why in our context patients present late with advanced-stage disease.
-
While the absolute number of hospital beds is usually discussed, adequate utilisation of beds is a far better instrument to measure departmental efficiency. ⋯ There is a need to address the functioning of the surgical specialties with regards to the number of beds allocated as well as the ideal average length of stay.