Virtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors.
J Neurooncol
; 167(2): 349-359, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38427131
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) integrate clinical, molecular, and radiological information and facilitate coordination of neuro-oncology care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our MTB transitioned to a virtual and multi-institutional format. We hypothesized that this expansion would allow expert review of challenging neuro-oncology cases and contribute to the care of patients with limited access to specialized centers.METHODS:
We retrospectively reviewed records from virtual MTBs held between 04/2020-03/2021. Data collected included measures of potential clinical impact, including referrals to observational or therapeutic studies, referrals for specialized neuropathology analysis, and whether molecular findings led to a change in diagnosis and/or guided management suggestions.RESULTS:
During 25 meetings, 32 presenters discussed 44 cases. Approximately half (n = 20; 48%) involved a rare central nervous system (CNS) tumor. In 21% (n = 9) the diagnosis was changed or refined based on molecular profiling obtained at the NIH and in 36% (n = 15) molecular findings guided management. Clinical trial suggestions were offered to 31% (n = 13), enrollment in the observational NCI Natural History Study to 21% (n = 9), neuropathology review and molecular testing at the NIH to 17% (n = 7), and all received management suggestions.CONCLUSION:
Virtual multi-institutional MTBs enable remote expert review of CNS tumors. We propose them as a strategy to facilitate expert opinions from specialized centers, especially for rare CNS tumors, helping mitigate geographic barriers to patient care and serving as a pre-screening tool for studies. Advanced molecular testing is key to obtaining a precise diagnosis, discovering potentially actionable targets, and guiding management.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Central Nervous System Neoplasms
/
Pandemics
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Neurooncol
/
J. neurooncol
/
Journal of neuro-oncology
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States