Tumour boards in geriatric oncology.

ABSTRACT

Multidisciplinary tumour board is an integral part of cancer treatment planning. Although no definite survival benefits have yet been shown by mostly observational studies, other benefits of multidisciplinary tumour board have been identified. Traditionally the multidisciplinary tumour board involves participation of treating clinicians-medical, radiation and surgical oncologists. They tend to focus on the cancer alone. There is an increasing awareness that the treatment goal for cancer in older adults is not primarily on prolonging survival, with functional preservation and quality of life being particularly important for this population. The use of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and the input of the geriatrician in informing the oncologists regarding treatment decision have increasingly been shown to be beneficial. The integration of the geriatrician into the multidisciplinary tumour board should be urgently explored.