Global Neuroblastoma Network: An international multidisciplinary neuroblastoma tumor board for resource-limited countries.
Publication/Presentation Date
4-1-2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tumor boards are part of standard care of patients with complex cancers, but appropriate multidisciplinary expertise and infrastructure are often not available in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for pediatric cancers, such as neuroblastoma. Our goal was to review results of a Global Neuroblastoma Network (GNN) tumor board accessible to LMIC.
METHODS: De-identified clinical cases presented via internet conference during a weekly GNN virtual tumor board from 2010 through 2020 were evaluated in a standardized format, including diagnostic imaging, pathology, therapy information, resource limitations, and questions for discussion. Information summarized included the presentations, a survey of the impact on care, and a resource questionnaire.
RESULTS: Registered GNN participants included 575 individuals from 77 countries, with a median of 39 participants per session. Total 412 cases were presented from 32 countries, including 351 unique neuroblastoma patients, 52 follow-up cases, and nine non-neuroblastoma diagnoses. Twenty-eight educational sessions were presented. Limited critical resources for diagnostics and staging of cases included MYCN analysis (54.7%), metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans (38.7%), and International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (49%). Therapies were also limited, with markedly decreased use of radiation and autologous stem cell transplant for high-risk cases, and no availability of anti-GD2 antibody in LMIC. Limited sampling with a post-presentation survey showed that 100% found the GNN helpful, and 70% altered the care plan based on the discussion.
CONCLUSION: This report shows the utility of an international tumor board for LMIC focused on a challenging solid tumor where local expertise may be limited, with international multidisciplinary expert participation and educational sessions.
Volume
69
Issue
4
First Page
29568
Last Page
29568
ISSN
1545-5017
Published In/Presented At
Matthay, K. K., Hylton, J., Penumarthy, N., Khattab, M., Soh, S. Y., Nguyen, H. T. K., Alcasabas, A. P., Fawzy, M., Saab, R., Khan, M. S., Ghandour, K., Chantada, G., Parikh, N. S., Faulkner, L., Lam, C. G., & Howard, S. C. (2022). Global Neuroblastoma Network: An international multidisciplinary neuroblastoma tumor board for resource-limited countries. Pediatric blood & cancer, 69(4), e29568. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.29568
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
35084087
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article