MELANOMA IN PALESTINE: FIRST REAL-WORLD OUTCOMES FROM A NATIONAL RETROSPECTIVE COHORT
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Elie G. Malki
George Alsous
Ahmad Nassar
Gessila Khalil
Laith Ishtayeh
Waleed Nabulsi
Adham Itbaisha
Marwan Qubaja
Farah Awad
Elias Lahham
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Background: Melanoma in Palestine presents a significant public health challenge, with cancer being the third leading cause of mortality in the region as of 2020. The healthcare context is characterized by fragmented studies on cancer prevalence, a lack of a national registry, and constrained healthcare access due to regional instability, movement restrictions, limited molecular diagnostics, and resource limitations, particularly in Gaza. These factors contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment access. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported only 59 cases between 2017-2021, while GLOBOCAN (2022) estimated 24 cases per year in Palestine. Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) serves as the primary national tertiary referral center for melanoma cases across the West Bank and Gaza.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to analyze and highlight the disease characteristics and real-world outcomes of cutaneous melanoma patients in Palestine, a region with significant resource constraints.