Lugano, Switzerland. Inappropriate or late diagnosis is a major hurdle for the proper treatment of patients with rare cancers. In order to discuss the organisational solutions to improve the pathologic diagnosis of patients fighting these diseases, Rare Cancers Europe, together with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) have organised a workshop in Brussels, Belgium, 10 and 11 February 2014.
During the workshop, a Consensus Statement on Improving the Pathologic Diagnosis of Rare Cancers will be drafted by a panel of expert Pathologists and Oncologists specialising in rare cancers. The implementation of the recommendations contained in this position statement will be crucial to improve the lives of rare cancer sufferers.
Rare cancers affect over four million people in the EU (1) and, taken together, represent 20% of all cancer cases.
For more information and interview opportunities please contact Jackie Partarrieu on:
Email: rarecancersnews@esmo.org
Tel: +336 23 14 57 84
ENDS
References:
(1) The epidemiology of rare cancers in Europe (pdf)
Notes to editors:
Rare Cancers Europe (RCE) is a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to putting rare cancers firmly on the European policy agenda and to implementing 39 political and stakeholder recommendations. (pdf)
Visit the Rare Cancers Europe website