A bright future for multidisciplinary approach to cancer care in the setting of limited resource

• Published in: Translational oncology 2024-12, Vol.50, p.102124, Article 102124
• Main Authors: Dadzie, Mary-Ann, Yarney, Joel, Nyantakyi, Andrew Yaw, Tackie, Judith Naa Odey
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Head and neck; Limited resource; Multidisciplinary; Pediatric; Rhabdomyosarcoma
• ISSN: 1936-5233; 1936-5233
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102124

•Cancer management is complex and care should not be provided by any single specialty.•Multidisciplinary approach is key to providing wholistic care to cancer patients and should be the practice of all cancer centres.•International collaboration between low and high resourced centres provides a platform for training and support in establishing and maintaining an effective MDT in low resourced settings. We report a case of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the infratemporal region in a female child. An 8year old female was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma 10 years ago. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed large mass in the right pterygopalatine fossa extending into the buccal, masticator and parapharyngeal spaces with involvement of the pterygoid and masseter muscles. Several multidisciplinary discussions were held concerning the case to determine the best treatment strategy. Child received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Six months post radiotherapy, CT scan reported a residual lesion for which multiple biopsies showed no residual tumor. Patient is doing well 10 years after treatment with no evidence of recurrence, Notably, this was the first case discussed at the inception of the pediatric multidisciplinary tumor board. [Display omitted]