# Cancer treatment and diagnosis in Central America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cancer-treatment-and-diagnosis-in-central-america > Updated: 2026-10-17T18:31:14.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. Central American nations, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, face significant public health challenges regarding cancer, characterized by late-stage diagnoses and limited access to advanced therapies. Data from GLOBOCAN 2024 indicates an estimated 73,083 new cancer cases are reported annually across the region. To address these challenges, new therapeutic options are being introduced. In Costa Rica, the immunotherapy Durvalumab has been implemented as a perioperative treatment for operable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, which has shown a 29% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence, progression, or death. Additionally, the pharmaceutical company Adium has introduced cabozantinib to treat advanced renal carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Melisa Barbieri, medical manager for Adium in Central America and the Caribbean, has noted that late diagnosis remains a “critical public health issue” in the region. While cabozantinib is approved in several countries for specific cancers, regulatory approvals for other indications, such as neuroendocrine tumors, remain pending in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: Central America faces cancer treatment and diagnosis challenges Central America faces a public health challenge with approximately 73,083 new cancer cases annually, driven by late diagnoses and limited treatment access. Adium has introduced cabozantinib to the region. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/central-america-faces-cancer-treatment-and-diagnosis-challenges ### 2026-10-15: Central American cancer treatment landscape sees new immunotherapy advances New immunotherapy and targeted treatments are being introduced in Central America to combat high cancer rates and late-stage diagnoses in the region. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/central-american-cancer-treatment-landscape-sees-new-immunotherapy-advances --- Cite as: Cancer treatment and diagnosis in Central America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cancer-treatment-and-diagnosis-in-central-america