Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards in Low-Resource Settings

Abstract: Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards (MDTBs) have become a key component of modern cancer care, promoting joint decision-making to help improve the diagnosis, treatment planning and results. However, their application in low-resource settings (LRS) fails due to a number of systemic, technical, and cultural barriers. This analysis mainly focuses on the problems of improving MDTBs in LRS, such as poor healthcare facilities, lack of skilled workers, insufficient staff, inability to generate funds, and lack of digital health records. Other additional barriers include problems with transportation, time limitation, lack of community knowledge, and cultural norms to modern cancer care treatment. These problems impair prompt diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring of cancer patients. Despite difficulties, as our analysis elaborates, various approaches have been thought to improve the availability and value of MDTBs in these settings with limited resources. Telemedicine and virtual tumor boards can help address regional demands of the community, while training programs and simpler MDTB activities can enhance long-term sustainability. It is also important to strengthen partnerships with international health system, adopt user-friendly digital record systems, and engage in specified community education programs. Furthermore, policy funding and collaborative support is required to integrate MDTBs into national cancer control plans. This review underscores that, with strategic planning and targeted investments, effective multidisciplinary cancer care is attainable even in the most underserved regions. By establishing MDTB programs to local needs and making use of available technologies and partnerships, low-resource settings can move toward equitable, patient-centered oncology care. Ultimately, the successful implementation of MDTBs can play a transformative role in reducing the global disparity in cancer outcomes. Keywords: Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards (MDTBs), Low-resource settings, Cancer care, Telemedicine, Healthcare infrastructure, Oncology workforce shortages.