February 2025 Vol 16, No 2

Although rare cancers affect few people, collectively they impact hundreds of thousands of Americans annually, often leaving patients in a diagnostic limbo due to limited research and expertise. Patient-centric, collaborative navigation approaches are key to shedding light on these overlooked conditions, potentially transforming the landscape of rare cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship for the better.

Rare diseases often come with an invisible burden—years of searching for answers, countless doctors who dismiss or misdiagnose their symptoms, and the emotional toll of navigating a healthcare system unequipped for their needs.

Experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have created a drug-matching platform to help narrow down additional uses for drugs that have already been investigated and FDA approved.

Over the past few decades, many collaborative initiatives have been launched to ensure the professionalization of oncology navigation. With all these advances, the stability and sustainability of these programs are now the focal point and critical to move the field forward.

This accompaniment to the preceding article offers up best practice tips you can employ on your journey toward funding stability, a key element that contributes to positioning programs and practices for long-term success.

“My hope as you read this is for you to gain a better understanding of the complex field of neuro-oncology navigation and to be reminded of simple tools you can use to support patients facing an unsolicited journey with a brain or spinal tumor,” writes Cassie Latino, MSN, RN, ONN-CG, who sheds light on the neuro-oncology navigator’s role as an advocate, educator, and crucial member of the multidisciplinary care team.