Adham M Khalafallah1, Adrian E Jimenez1, Carlos G Romo2,3, David Olayinka Kamson2,3, Lawrence Kleinberg4, Jon Weingart1, Henry Brem1, Stuart A Grossman5, Debraj Mukherjee1. 1. 1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore. 2. 2Department of Neurology, Brain Cancer Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore. 3. 3Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda. 4. 4Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore; and. 5. 5Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: There has been limited research on the efficacy of multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) in improving the treatment of patients with tumors affecting the nervous system. The objective of the present study was to quantify the utility of MDTBs in providing alternative diagnostic interpretations and treatment plans for this patient population. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective study of patients in 4 hospitals whose cases were discussed at MDTBs between July and November 2019. Patient demographic data, diagnoses, treatment plans, and eligibility for clinical trials were recorded, among other variables. RESULTS: A total of 176 cases met eligibility criteria for study inclusion. The majority (53%) of patients were male, and the mean patient age was 52 years. The most frequent diagnosis was glioblastoma (32.4%). Among the evaluable cases, MDTBs led to 38 (21.6%) changes in image interpretation and 103 (58.2%) changes in patient management. Additionally, patients whose cases were discussed at MDTBs had significantly shorter referral times than patients whose cases were not discussed (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: MDTB discussions led to significant numbers of diagnostic and treatment plan changes as well as shortened referral times, highlighting the potential clinical impact of multidisciplinary care for patients with nervous system tumors.
OBJECTIVE: There has been limited research on the efficacy of multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) in improving the treatment of patients with tumors affecting the nervous system. The objective of the present study was to quantify the utility of MDTBs in providing alternative diagnostic interpretations and treatment plans for this patient population. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective study of patients in 4 hospitals whose cases were discussed at MDTBs between July and November 2019. Patient demographic data, diagnoses, treatment plans, and eligibility for clinical trials were recorded, among other variables. RESULTS: A total of 176 cases met eligibility criteria for study inclusion. The majority (53%) of patients were male, and the mean patient age was 52 years. The most frequent diagnosis was glioblastoma (32.4%). Among the evaluable cases, MDTBs led to 38 (21.6%) changes in image interpretation and 103 (58.2%) changes in patient management. Additionally, patients whose cases were discussed at MDTBs had significantly shorter referral times than patients whose cases were not discussed (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: MDTB discussions led to significant numbers of diagnostic and treatment plan changes as well as shortened referral times, highlighting the potential clinical impact of multidisciplinary care for patients with nervous system tumors.
Authors: Adrian E Jimenez; Adham M Khalafallah; David Botros; Melanie A Horowitz; Omar Azmeh; Shravika Lam; Leonardo A P Oliveira; Sachiv Chakravarti; Sophie Liu; Esther Wu; Oren Wei; Jose L Porras; Chetan Bettegowda; Rafael J Tamargo; Henry Brem; Debraj Mukherjee Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2021-12-02 Impact factor: 4.130
Authors: Simona Gaudino; Carolina Giordano; Francesca Magnani; Simone Cottonaro; Amato Infante; Giovanni Sabatino; Giuseppe La Rocca; Giuseppe Maria Della Pepa; Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris; Roberto Pallini; Alessandro Olivi; Mario Balducci; Silvia Chiesa; Marco Gessi; Pamela Guadalupi; Rosellina Russo; Chiara Schiarelli; Luca Ausili Cefaro; Giuseppe Maria Di Lella; Cesare Colosimo Journal: J Pers Med Date: 2022-01-20