European Reference Network on Rare Adult Cancers

ended

Rare cancers (defined as an incidence <6/100000/yr) represent 20% of adult cancers but 30% of cancer mortality. There are over 300 rare cancer types which may affect all organs. A variety of histological and molecular subtypes are emerging following the progresses of genomic classifications. EURACAN is a patient centered ERN dedicated to the improvement of diagnosis, treatment management, knowledge, research and communication on all adult solid rare cancers for patients, families, physicians and all stakeholders. EURACAN will work on excellence guidelines, their implementation, innovation, research, patient pathways, cross border health care, and patient communication. EURACAN gathers 67 centers from 18 EU countries. These centers were identified on the basis of documented expertise, accrual in rare cancers, and endorsement by their member state. EURACAN aims to open to additionnal centers, to expand to all EU countries and to host at least health care provider expert for a domain for a region of 5-10 million inhabitants. EURACAN has also invited associated partners from major scientific societies, ESMO, ECCO, ESSO, EORTC, and major patient advocacy groups to participate to the different network bodies. EURACAN will interact with other ERN with related topics, in particular benign conditions. In EURACAN, rare adult solid cancers were grouped in 10 domains corresponding to the RARECARE classification: sarcomas, rare gynecological cancers, rare urological cancers, neuroendocrine tumors, rare digestive cancers, endocrine tumors, rare head and neck, thoracic, skin, ocular and brain cancers. EURACAN will propose a unique network to all European patients affected with rare cancers in all member states enabling an optimal care, access to rare resources, education, innovation and research to all EU patients.