Review of inbound medical tourism and legal details of obtaining a visa for treatment of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background: We aim to provide a review of inbound medical tourism and the legal process of obtaining a visa for medical/surgical treatment for the patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: We reviewed current statistics and the medical and legal literature regarding inbound medical tourism and the process of obtaining a visa for patients traveling to the United States for medical treatment. To illustrate this process, we present a case of an advanced-staged and disfiguring facial polymorphous high-grade adenocarcinoma in a previously healthy 29-year-old woman from Liberia.

Results: This report provides a synopsis of available statistical data on inbound medical tourism and the legal aspects of obtaining a visa for patients seeking medical care from abroad.

Conclusions: Medical tourists traveling to the United States for treatment of head and neck pathologies face considerable barriers in obtaining prompt care, leading to a possible increased disease burden and difficulty in rendering oncologic treatment.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; inbound medical tourism; medical visa.