title: Telemedicine and telesurgery in cancer care: inaugural conference at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the growing incidence of cancer worldwide, there are an insufficient number of primary care physicians, community oncologists, and surgeons to meet the demand for cancer care, especially in rural and other medically underserved areas. Teleoncology, including diagnostics, treatment, and supportive care, has the potential to enhance access to cancer care and to improve clinician education and training.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Major cancer centers such as The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center must determine how teleoncology will be used as part of strategic planning for the future. The Telemedicine and Telesurgery in Cancer Care (TTCC) conference was convened to determine technologically based strategies for addressing global access to essential cancer care services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TTCC conference brought policy makers together with physicians, legal and regulatory experts to define strategies to optimize available resources, including teleoncology, to advance global cancer care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TTCC conference discourse provided insight into the present state of access to care, expertise, training, technology and other interventions, including teleoncology, currently available through MD Anderson, as well as a vision of what might be achievable in the future, and proposals for moving forward with a comprehensive strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Satcher
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bogler
authors.forename: Laurel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hyle
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hawk
authors.forename: Surena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matin
authors.forename: Abenaa M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brewster
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: cancer; telemedicine; teleoncology; telesurgery