tumorboards

Tumor boards, also known as multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs), are structured meetings in which clinicians from multiple specialties review cancer patients’ cases to discuss diagnostic findings, staging, and treatment options. The primary goal is to reach a coordinated, evidence-based plan that reflects the patient’s values, comorbidities, and preferences and to ensure adherence to current guidelines.

Participants typically include surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and often genetic counselors, palliative care specialists, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers. The team reviews imaging studies and pathology, lab results, prior therapies, and overall clinical context. Case presentations lead to recommendations on potential management strategies, which may include surgery, systemic therapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or participation in clinical trials.

Decisions are usually documented and, when feasible, discussed with the patient or their proxy before implementation.

Benefits of tumor boards include standardized, multidisciplinary input, consideration of guideline-concordant care, improved coordination across services, and faster access to appropriate therapies. They can also serve as educational forums and support research initiatives. Limitations include resource and time requirements, potential for varying opinions, delays in case discussion, and challenges in translating recommendations into practice given patient preferences and access issues. Tumor boards are common in many cancer centers and may be site-specific or disease-specific, conducted in person or through teleconferencing or virtual platforms.