A tumor board is a meeting where a team of healthcare professionals and ancillary providers, including medical, radiation oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, interventionalist, and pathologists, come together to discuss the treatment plan for a patient with cancer. Nurses, extenders, navigators, pharmacists, palliative care, research, hospitalist, students, residents, fellows, nutritionists, and many other folks can participate depending on the tumor type. For example, perhaps cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologist for lung tumor board or gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeons for gastrointestinal tumor types. This meeting is held typically weekly at major cancer centers and is an important step in the process of developing a comprehensive and coordinated treatment plan for each patient. Our cancer center specifically has disease specific tumor boards for Head/Neck, Breast, Lung, Neuro, Hepatobiliary/NET, Colorectal, GU, Cutaneous/Sarcoma, Pediatric Oncology, and Hematology.
Tumor boards are usually conducted once a week and can last several hours. During the meeting, the healthcare team reviews the patient’s medical history, imaging studies, and pathology. They also discuss the patient’s current condition/patient preferences and the different treatment options available from the various disciplines that are present at the meeting. The goal of the meeting is to provide the patient with the best possible care, taking into consideration all the available medical information for the patient. Not all cases have to be presented, many are straightforward, for example with early-stage colon cancer or melanoma needing surgery upfront. But if there is a multidisciplinary question or concern, it is most appropriate to bring it up at the meeting.
The importance of tumor boards lies in the fact that cancer care is complex and requires a multi-disciplinary approach. By bringing together a team of experts, tumor boards allow for a thorough review of a patient’s case and help ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care are considered. This leads to a more effective treatment plan, improved outcomes, and a better quality of life for patients. On occasion, there have been times where there may be two or more competing good options for the patients, ie systemic therapy or definitive chemoradiation or surgical resection all with curative intent. Or perhaps there is a new exciting clinical trial offering innovative treatment in addition or in lieu of the standard of care option? After discussing at a tumor board, the diagnosis, stage, prognosis, the pros, cons, risks, benefits, drawbacks, alternatives and patient preferences, the consensus of the multidisciplinary physician-group can be powerful in the ultimate decision for what is best for the patient. This multi-disciplinary approach is ideal and gives a huge advantage over the decision making of just one physician’s opinion in a small clinic.
These meetings used to be in person, however since the pandemic many institutions have gone to virtual meetings which I strongly believe has an advantage over in-person meetings. The physical or geographical barriers of attending are removed, physicians can be practically anywhere in the world with a strong internet connection to participate in a live meeting. There is really no excuse to not attend other than perhaps a delayed clinic going overtime (I admit, that’s me occasionally). Physicians can see their screen directly, which you can imagine may not be so easy in a large conference room. Physicians have direct access to the patient’s charts and medical databases for easy searches at their fingertips. Why guess or recall with difficulty at a meeting off the top of their heads when anyone can just look up specific answers to the questions in real time. In addition, it is easy to share your screens which ultimately allows us to share new data or patient pictures or abstracts or power point presentations.
Tumor boards play a crucial role in the care of cancer patients. They bring together a team of experts to review each patient’s case and ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care are considered. By participating in tumor boards, healthcare professionals can work together to provide the best possible care for their patients. Ask your oncologist if their institutions have disease-specific tumor boards? Will your case be presented on the tumor board?
About the author
Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. Currently practicing at the renowned Orlando Health Cancer Institute, he brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology.