ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The quantitative effect of consultation on cancer patient's management at a Radiology Conference was studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included consecutive patients presented at the Radiology Conference of the Division of Oncology. Following the case presentation and discussion, the patient's oncologist completed a questionnaire which asked whether the consultation at the conference added new information regarding the patient's disease status, whether it influenced patient management and, if so, to what extent. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-three patients were included in the study. Significant new information was added for 189 (49%) patients and less consequential information was added for 134 (35%) patients. Major changes in management occurred in 143 (37%) patients after the Radiology Conference and minor changes were made in 56 (15%) patients. The influence of the cancer type on the rate of significant change in treatment and on the rate of major information addition was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Consultation at a Radiological Conference in a tertiary center led to major changes in the management of 37% of the cancer patients presented and provided important information regarding the patient's disease in up to 50% of patients.