Improving histopathological diagnostic turnaround time through the GLORIA Telepathology Network in complex oncological cases

Introduction: In Latin American countries, disparities in access to timely and accurate oncological diagnoses contribute to differences in survival outcomes between urban and rural populations. Colombia exemplifies this situation, with only 0.88 pathologists per 100,000 inhabitants and a very limited number of oncopathologists, most of whom are concentrated in major cities.The GLORIA Telepathology Network was developed to address these inequities by implementing a digital diagnostic platform that connects peripheral hospitals with expert centers. Through whole-slide imaging (WSI) and real-time remote consultations, GLORIA enhances diagnostic accuracy, reduces turnaround time for histopathological reports, and supports clinical decision-making in oncological care across the country. The aim of this study is to describe the most frequently consulted tumor types and to evaluate the diagnostic turnaround times since the implementation of Telepathology Network. Methdology: Six WSI scanners (Roche DP200) were installed in different regions of Colombia (Armenia, Pereira, Pasto, Cartagena, Cúcuta, and Montería) to enable the digitalization of oncological cases that present diagnostic challenges. These digital slides are remotely reviewed and discussed with specialized oncopathologists Results: During the first 10 months of implementation, including the progressive integration of the digitalization centers, a total of 363 oncological cases were interconsulted. The most frequently interconsulted tumor types were: Skin tumors (14.0%), Gynecologic tumors (10.7%), Breast tumors (9.6%) and Soft tissue tumors (9.4%). The average diagnostic turnaround time (from case upload to expert report) was 18 hours. Discussion: This reduction in turnaround time reflects a substantial improvement compared to traditional consultation methods (20 days). The implementation of the GLORIA Telepathology Network demonstrates the critical role of telepathology in reducing diagnostic delays, particularly in regions lacking access to oncopathologists. By enabling rapid expert review and fostering nationwide collaboration, GLORIA contributes to more equitable and timely oncological care across Colombia.