Expanding Global Radiotherapy Access via Telemedicine

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Over 70% of the 10 million cancer deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and low middle-income countries. Radiotherapy is an important cancer treatment, used in half of cancer patients. Significant global disparities in radiotherapy access exist, with low access in low- and middle-income countries. There is an unmet need to expand global radiotherapy access. Telemedicine in radiotherapy (tele-radiotherapy) applications hold promise in providing solutions to overcome global radiotherapy access inequity. Virtual training could upgrade radiotherapy skills in low- and middle-income countries, enabling safe adoption of new radiotherapy techniques and quality assurance. Tele-radiotherapy consultations and follow-up improve efficiency of clinics while tele-radiotherapy planning and peer-review could enable equitable global access to radiotherapy expertise. Telemedicine could also facilitate a wider global access to radiotherapy trials. However, the benefits of tele-radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries are yet to be fully realized. In this editorial, we highlight potential applications of tele-radiotherapy in expanding access to high-quality radiotherapy in developing countries.