have an additional 249,000 cases this year in the US alone.
Rare cancer types
How do experts in the field classify a certain cancer type?
Rare cancer is a term which includes both rare and the less common cancers. A cancer to be considered as a rare type of cancer, must have less than 6 incidences per year per 100,000 population. However, a less common cancer is defined as one that registers between 6 and 12 incidences per year per 100,000 population.
Rare cancers encompass a broad as well as a diverse group of cancers which include cancers with a great scope of incidence as well as survival outcomes.
Common cancers including lung, breast, prostate, as well as colon cancer are given more attention, as well as more research funding than the rare types of cancer since more people have been recorded to be affected with types of cancer that fall under this category.
Clinical Care for Patients Diagnosed with a Rare Cancer Type: A Major Concern
Because of the nature of rare cancers, they present specific challenges to the global community, including:
- Delayed or inappropriate diagnosis
- Limited access to appropriate treatment methods as well as clinical expertise
- A shortage in the number of clinical studies available due to the small number of patients
- Lack of interest to explore possible treatment methods due to limitations in the market
- Insufficient available registries as well as tissue banks
On a positive note, rare forms of cancer may essentially be easier to cure as they may be affected by a single molecular genetic defect. The problem lies in detecting these rare cancers early, however. It follows that a proper diagnosis as well the correct medical approach will take time to be completed, which may be time enough for the cancer cells to further develop.
There will always be a flicker of hope. Government, related organization, community, as well as individual initiatives are constantly considered to help support the cause. The fight over cancer is a long and tedious one. It requires every one of us to take his or her share to address this global health concern. Will you take your part?