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Management of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide challenge – in particular in developing countries where the risk of saturation of health facilities and intensive care beds must be minimized. The first case of COVID-19 was declared in Morocco on 2 March 2020, after which a panel of Moroccan experts, consisting of medical oncologists from universities and regional and private oncology centers, was promptly assembled to conduct a group reflection on cancer patient's management. The main objective is to protect the immunocompromised population from the risk of COVID-19, while maintaining an adequate management of cancer, which can quickly compromise their prognosis. Recommendations are provided according to each clinical situation: patients undergoing treatment, new cases, hospitalized patients, palliative care and surveillance.

The multidisciplinary management of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), which is the most aggressive form of breast cancer due to its rapid proliferation, has changed over the past three decades thanks to advances in medical treatments that represent the basis of treatment, without eliminating the use of locoregional treatments including surgery and radiotherapy in the localized stages. The molecular profile determination of IBC allows the orientation towards new targeted therapeutic strategies with an impact on survival.

e13024 Background: Hertraz, the first trastuzumab biosimilar was approved in Morocco in 2017. Real world data on trastuzumab biosimilars are very limited or not available. HERLife is a prospective, non-interventional phase IV study program that investigated the experience of using Hertraz, a biosimilar for trastuzumab (Herceptin), under routine clinical practice conditions in Morocco. The primary aim of this study was to confirm the acceptable safety and tolerability of Hertraz. Methods: Ninety-nine patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with Hertraz were enrolled from 8 public and private sector hospitals and followed up for 12 months as part of this non-interventional study. Cardiac events (LVEF) and other unexpected or serious adverse events were monitored. The study arms consisted of patients with early breast cancer (Arm 1, n=70) and metastatic breast cancer (Arm 2, n=29) whose median age was 53 years in both groups. Results: Switching from Herceptin to Hertraz was observed in 45% of 29 MBC patients and 27% of 70 EBC patients. Switching was done at a median of 4th cycle. Pertuzumab was used in combination with Hertraz in 69% and 19% of patients in the metastatic and neoadjuvant settings, respectively. Two patients had a decline in LVEF. One patient treated with Hertraz alone and one patient treated with Hertraz and pertuzumab developed a decrease in LVEF requiring a three-week treatment discontinuation of Hertraz. Treatment of Hertraz was continued after 1 skipped cycle without occurrence of new side effects. No other trastuzumab related adverse events was observed. Four patients in the metastatic group and 2 patients in the early breast cancer arm had a relapse in the 12 months of clinical follow-up. Conclusions: The management of HER2+ breast cancer in Morocco follows the international recommendations. This is the first real world safety data of Hertraz from Morocco. The 12-month follow-up treatment with Hertraz showed an acceptable cardiac safety profile. In cases where there was a switch from Herceptin to Hertraz or Hertraz combined with pertuzumab, the safety profile was similar to that previously reported in other studies.

Objective. To determine the current shortfall of medical oncologists (MOs) and the projected supply. Background. Morocco, the medical oncology (MO) is a relatively new specialty. Medical oncology was recognized as a separate specialty in 1994 but the real taking-off was done only since the 2000s after the creation of the chair of medical oncology in the University of Rabat. The GRIOMM (Moroccan group of trialist in medical oncology) was created in 2011 and conducted its first study, EVA-onco, concerning the practice of medical oncology in Morocco in 2011. Design. EVA-onco is a prospective study concerning the practice of medical oncology in Morocco in 2011. Results. The entire public cancer centers completed the survey. There were no missing data. The number of medical oncologist per 100000/habitants in Morocco was 0.09. The average number of new patients seen per medical oncologist was 718 patients (ranging by state from 97 to 1875). The shortfall of MOs was estimated at 26 at least in 2011 according to the national recommendations. Conclusions. Since 2010, a national strategy to increase the capacity of MO workforce existed. The current shortfall of MO is expected to disappear in the future.

Background A multicentre cohort study was held in Morocco, designed to evaluate the quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of this paper is to report the assessment of the quality of life of early colorectal cancer patients, before and after cancer treatment, to identify other factors which are related to this quality of life. Methods We used the third version of the QLQ-C30 questionnaire of the European organization for Research and treatment of Cancer (EORTC) after a transcultural validation. The Data collection was done at inclusion and then every twelve weeks to achieve one year of follow up. Results Overall 294 patients presented with early colorectal cancer, the median age was 56 years (range: 21–88). The male–female sex ratio was 1.17. At inclusion, the global health status was the most affected functional dimension. For symptoms: financial difficulties and fatigue scores were the highest ones. Emotional and social functions were significantly worse in rectal cancer. Most symptoms were more present in rectal cancer. At inclusion, global health status score was significantly worse in stage III. Anorexia was significantly more important among colorectal female patients. For Patients over 70 years-old, the difference was statistically significant for the physical function item which was lower. Overall, Functional dimensions scores were improved after chemotherapy. The symptoms scores did not differ significantly for patients treated by radiotherapy, between inclusion and at one year. Conclusion Our EORTC QLQ C30 scores are overall comparable to the reference values. Neither chemotherapy, nor radiotherapy worsened the quality of life at one year.

Announcing cancer to a patient is not a simple task. Usually doctors fail to inform patients about the diagnosis and it is more likely in older people .The need of information in cancerous elderly is not well established. In developed countries, there is evidence that the majority of old patients are demanding exhaustive information about their disease, treatment and prognosis.In developing countries where social and cultural issues are different, perception of cancer in elderly is not well studied. Therefore we conducted a prospective study on Moroccan elderly cancerous need of information about their disease.This is a prospective descriptive study, Conducted in the National Institute of Oncology of Morocco, cancerous patients older than 70 were included. A questionnaire was given to participants. Demographics, disease characteristics, social, economical and cultural features were recorded.One hundred and fifty patients responded to the questionnaire. Mean age was 73. 72.7% of patients were diagnosed in advanced stages. Illiteracy was found in 76%. 87.3% of patients did not have health insurance. All patients were Muslim, practicing in 97%. 57% ignored diagnosis. 80% didn't want to know further information about prognosis and treatment side effects. Family protection from information was found in 70%.Moroccan elderly affected with cancer are less demanding of details about their illness.Illiteracy and cultural background may play a major role, Relatives overprotection is also influencing.

e13064Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive breast carcinoma, with the clinical and biological characteristics of a rapidly proliferating disease. A number of molecula...

173 Background: For reproductive-aged breast cancer (BC) patients, contraception is needed during and after treatment. Few data are available concerning the methods used in the real life and the comprehension of patients. The main objective of our study was to describe the contraceptive practice and to identify the need of information for these patients. Methods: We conducted a survey in young BC patients treated at the National Institute of Oncology Rabat–Morocco. We analyzed the contraceptive methods used. Then, we assessed the level of information and counseling about contraception for this population. The SPSS 10.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: 72 patients respond to the survey. The mean age was 41.4 ± 6.3 years. 79.2% had localized disease. 97.2 % were under treatment. The sexual activity was maintained in 69.4%. The contraceptive methods used before the diagnosis and after the announcement are summarized in the Table. 52 pts were informed that the hormonal contraception were not recommended. 86.5% had this information from doctors. 67.3% were informed at the moment of announcement of diagnosis, 17.6% at the consultation of surgery, 29.4% before starting chemotherapy, 35.3% during chemotherapy and 17.6% at the end of treatment. After information about the contraceptive methods, 50 % used a masculine condom, 15.7% had a copper IUD, 18.6% used external ejaculation, 14.3% on patient had a tubal ligation and 14.3% didn’t use a contraception method. 66% patients of patients had not asked about contraceptive methods. The reasons: abstinence: 31.3%, the disease is more important than the contraception: 14.6%. Conclusions: Our study found that there is a lack of information concerning contraception for young BC patients. A contraceptive counseling is highly needed to decrease the risk of pregnancy during treatment. [Table: see text]

Background Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft tissue neoplasm that usually arises in the headand neck region and genitourinary tract. Skin metastasis of rhabdomyosarcoma is extremely rare; of thirteen cases reported in the literature, most were children younger than 10 years and only three cases have been reported in adults. Case presentation A 20-year-old Moroccan man was admitted with a right orbital tumor. The tumor was excised and histopathology examination confirmed a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, but local recurrence occurred one year later. The patient underwent right orbital exenteration followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After 6 months, the patient developed a cutaneous mass in the right lumbar region, which was resected. Immunohistochemical examination of the tumor showed this to be a cutaneous metastasis of rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient was treated by chemotherapy and there appeared to be no recurrence after 9 months of follow up. Conclusions Skin metastasis from rhabdomyosarcoma is extremely rare, particularly in adults. The purpose of presenting this case report is to raise awareness among clinicians— skin biopsy and immunohistochemistry are needed to distinguish this neoplasm from other cutaneous tumors so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.

e13097Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Midlle east and north africa. Approximatly 5000 new patients are diagnosed per years in Morocco. No prospective database are availible. The aim of our study is to determine the demographic, clinicopathological and therapeutic features of breast cancer in Morocco. Methods: This is the first prospective database of breast cancer in collected at the National institute of oncology of Rabat in Morocco, between January 2014 and December 2014. Epidemiological, clinical, histological and therapeutic data were analyzed Results: A total of 1183 patients had suspected breast malignancy, 1129 signed consent the consent. The median age was 58 years. 53.6 % were analphabets, 67.8 % had no profession. 54.86% were married. 67.5% urban. 53% are premenopausal. 52 % take contraceptifs. 3.2 % of postmenopausal patients take substitif hormonal. 20.3 % had familal history of cancer. 74.3% of the suspected mass were discovered by self examination. 21.3% had ACR...

e19631 Background: Cancer is an uncommon disease. It attains deeply and painfully the person with cancer and also his family. Cancer impact in the North African families was not described extensive...

e19649 Background: Imaginary concept of cancer is different in adolescent and young adult. North African young patients are underrepresented in the psychosocial cancer literature The purpose of thi...