Status of radiotherapy in a multidisciplinary cancer board.

Multidisciplinary cancer boards (CBs) for making cancer treatment decisions have become popular in many countries; however, the status of radiotherapy in CBs and the influence of CBs on radiotherapy decisions have not been studied. To clarify these issues, we reviewed the minutes of our CBs from February 2010 to March 2012, and we classified planned treatments discussed at the CBs into five categories and analyzed decisions concerning radiotherapy in each category. The fraction of cases for which radiotherapy was recommended was 536/757 (71%). These cases included 478 cases (63%) for which radiation therapy was planned and four cases (0.5%) for which radiation therapy was unexpectedly recommended. On the other hand, radiation therapy was canceled in 21 cases (4%) for which radiation therapy had been planned. This study showed that radiotherapy was discussed in many cases at CBs and that CBs have a great influence on decisions concerning radiotherapy.

Influence of a multidisciplinary cancer board on treatment decisions.

BACKGROUND: To clarify how a multidisciplinary cancer board (CB) influences treatment decisions. METHODS: From March 2010 to June 2011, a total of 475 cases were discussed at our CB and the minutes of the board were reviewed for this study. RESULTS: Of the 475 patients, minor changes in treatment methods were made in 42 patients (9 %) and major changes were made in 28 patients (6 %). Further diagnostic procedures, further publication surveys and reconfirmation of patient's wishes were recommended in 80 patients (17 %). In the 392 patients for whom treatment was recommended, the CB's recommendation was realized in 349 patients (89 %) and was not realized in 20 (5 %) patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is obvious that a CB has a great influence on cancer treatment decisions, but the effectiveness of the CB in our hospital should be verified in the future by analyzing treatment outcomes.