Rare cancers research: Current state of knowledge and emerging opportunities for prevention and interception

In aggregate, rare cancers are not so rare as they collectively represent about one-fourth of all cancer cases. As defined by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), rare cancers are those that affect fewer than 15 people per 100,000 individuals annually. Research on this wide spectrum of malignancies has been limited, often due to their rarity. Survival rates for many rare cancers are worse than for more common cancers. To address many of the issues that impact the advancement of prevention/interception research for rare cancers, the NCI and the Department of Defense (DoD) hosted a two-day virtual workshop in May 2024. Key stakeholders, including scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates from across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, came together to identify critical research gaps in rare cancers, address approaches for prevention, and discuss the emerging opportunities in the field. Participants engaged in an open discussion, exploring and promoting the prospects to further research on rare cancer prevention and interception. This article addresses the major challenges associated with rare cancers research and outlines potential strategies to advance efforts in the prevention and interception of rare cancers.