Intercontinental Multidisciplinary Oncology Videoconferencing between the South Pacific and the French mainland: Results after one year and 323 cases of rare or complex cancers discussed

Introduction: Overseas France represents 18 % of French territory and is home to 4 % of its population for whom there is unequal treatment in the field of rare/complex cancer. Aim: To report our experience of intercontinental multidisciplinary videoconferencing between the French mainland and Pacific territories. Methods: Every other friday, three centers located in Papeete, Nouméa and Paris-Villejuif connected between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM GMT to discuss cases of rare/complex cancers. Results: Between November 2019 and December 2020, 323 presentations implicating 233 patients involved sarcoma (n = 93), digestive pathology (n = 60), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 35), urology (n = 24), gynecology (n = 24), neurology (n = 16), thyroid pathology (n = 14), dermatology (n = 14), senology (n = 11), hematology (n = 11), ENT pathology (n = 10), pathology thoracic (n = 10) and pediatrics (n = 1). Of the 233 patients, 134 (57.5 %) living in New Caledonia and 99 (42.5 %) in French Polynesia, 117 (50.5 %) had metastatic disease. 39 patients (16.7 %) were transferred to French mainland (EVASAN), for surgery (n = 25), vectorized radiotherapy (n = 7), biopsy (n = 5), chemotherapy (n = 1) or inclusion in a clinical trial (n = 1). 195 patients (83.7 %) were treated at home, 15 (6.4 %) are still awaiting a decision and 4 (1.7 %) lost to follow-up. Conclusion: The use of videoconferencing to discuss rare/complex cancer cases was effective in guaranteeing French overseas population access to innovative therapies and clinical trials, limiting the need for intercontinental transfer to 16.7 %.