Global neuro-oncology: what lies ahead for low- and middle-income countries?

Authors

  • Syed Ather Enam Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Kee B. Park Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
  • Naureen Mushtaq Department of Paediatric Oncology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Muhammad Faraz Raghib Wayne State University, Michigan, USA.
  • Fatima Mustansir Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Missouri, USA.
  • Mashal Murad Shah Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Mohammad Hamza Bajwa Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Minhal Faisal The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Michael C. Dewan Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Nashville, USA.
  • Tariq Khan Department of Neurosurgery Northwest General Hospital and Research Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan.
  • Jack P. Rock Department of Neurological Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.S3.GNO-04

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the global healthcare
community has achieved remarkable success in
controlling many communicable diseases across various
regions. However, non-communicable diseases now
constitute a significant portion of disease morbidity and
mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs). Among these, cancer, in particular, is
witnessing a notable increase in incidence in many LMICs.
Among cancers, neurological tumours bear significant
impact in terms of long-term disability, escalating costs of
comprehensive multidisciplinary care, and often
encounter resource-related and systemic delays in care
leading to worse outcomes. This opinion paper discusses
key concepts in developing global neuro-oncology care,
with specific case examples from Pakistan to illustrate
methods for improving care in these underserved
regions. Additionally, it outlines strategic approaches and
potential solutions to address these challenges, aiming to
provide a roadmap for enhancing neuro-oncology care in
LMICs.
Keywords: Ursidae, Incidence, Noncommunicable
Diseases, Communicable Diseases,Health Care,
Neoplasms, neurosurgery

Published

2024-06-09

How to Cite

Syed Ather Enam, Kee B. Park, Naureen Mushtaq, Muhammad Faraz Raghib, Fatima Mustansir, Mashal Murad Shah, Mohammad Hamza Bajwa, Minhal Faisal, Michael C. Dewan, Tariq Khan, & Jack P. Rock. (2024). Global neuro-oncology: what lies ahead for low- and middle-income countries?. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(3 (Supple), S16-S23. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.S3.GNO-04

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