Global challenges for cancer imaging

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Authors

Schlemmer, Heinz-Peter
Bittencourt, Leonardo K.
D’Anastasi, Melvin
Domingues, Romeu
Khong, Pek-Lan
Lockhat, Zarina I.
Muellner, Ada
Reiser, Maximilian F.
Schilsky, Richard L.
Hricak, Hedvig

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Imaging plays many essential roles in nearly all aspects of high-quality cancer care. However, challenges to the delivery of optimal cancer imaging in both developing and advanced countries are manifold. Developing countries typically face dramatic shortages of both imaging equipment and general radiologists, and efforts to improve cancer imaging in these countries are often complicated by poor infrastructure, cultural barriers, and other obstacles. In advanced countries, on the other hand, although imaging equipment and general radiologists are typically accessible, the complexity of oncologic imaging and the need for subspecialists in the field are largely unrecognized; as a result, training opportunities are lacking, and there is a shortage of radiologists with the necessary subspecialty expertise to provide optimal cancer care and participate in advanced clinical research. This article is intended to raise awareness of these challenges and catalyze further efforts to address them. Some promising strategies and ongoing efforts are reviewed, and some specific actions are proposed.

Description

Keywords

Challenges, Cancer imaging, Imaging equipment

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Schlemmer, H.-P., Bittencourt, L.K., D’Anastasi, M. et al. 2017, 'Global challenges for cancer imaging', Journal of Global Oncology, vol. 3, pp. 431-441.