Achievements of international rare cancers networks and consortia in the neuro-oncology field.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In this review, we investigated the role of European oncological networks on management and care of patients with central nervous system (CNS) malignancies.

Recent findings: Within this universe of tumors, malignancies of the central nervous system (CNS) malignancies represent a challenge because of several reasons such as biological complexity, the need of dedicated experienced physicians (surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and neuro-oncologists) and tertiary healthcare providers. Limits to the development of effective and innovative care are represented by the rarity of these tumors and their extreme heterogeneity in terms of clinical presentation, course of the disease, genetic assessments and site of presentation. The oncological networks are societies or associations, which make possible to connect patients, scientists, doctors and researchers together allowing to obtain several improvements.

Summary: Oncological networks can cooperate to increase accrual rate and speed in clinical trials, share data about CNS malignancy management and improve knowledge toward this class of tumors within patients and health operators promoting equity and high standard of care.