Rationale

The treatment for cancer is often a multi-modality approach and includes either one or a combination of  modalities like surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Unlike other diseases, in cancer management, more than one specialist is often involved in the treatment of various phases of the disease.

Normally it is taxing for both the patients and the attenders for moving from one specialist to other for getting the treatment for the cancer after explaining the case history, treatment received so far, tests undergone, etc. The approach of “one specialist at a time” leaves no room for structured engagement between the various specialists to discuss the case in a comprehensive manner.

Hence, a need for coordinated care involving multiple physicians and specialized expertise to manage cancer care is pivotal. A multidisciplinary approach, where inputs from a patient’s primary oncologist, surgeons, radiologist, etc, are integrated for the purpose of diagnosis, planning and care of cancer greatly benefits the patient.

It is being increasingly realized among the medical fraternity that a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment, improves medical management and presents a new standard of care for diagnosis and treatment planning. This approach is facilitated through the tumour board.

What does a tumour board do?

A tumour board is a group of doctors and other health care providers with different specialties that meets regularly at the hospital to discuss cancer cases and share knowledge. The board’s goal is to determine the best possible cancer treatment and care plan for an individual patient. Having fresh perspectives from other doctors makes it much easier to come up with that plan.

Who takes part in a tumour board?

Tumour board meetings can include doctors such as surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and palliative care physicians. Depending on the cases being discussed, additional doctors, such as gynaecologists, plastic surgeons, orthopedicians or urologists, may also participate. A diverse range of other health care providers, including nurse specialists and social workers, may take part as well.     

A patient’s privacy is always honoured. Only people who need to be involved in your care take part in the discussion.

Surgical Oncologists

Surgical oncologists are general surgeons with specialty training in procedures for diagnosing, staging (determining the stage of cancer), or removing cancerous growths. The most common procedures performed by surgical oncologists are biopsies and surgery for cancerous growth removal. They can also perform surgery to stage cancer and determine how far cancer has spread.

Radiation Oncologists

More than half of people diagnosed with cancer have radiation therapy, which uses carefully targeted doses of high-energy ionising radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation oncologists are the highly trained doctors who specialize in this form of care. The radiation oncologist will review your medical records and x-rays, and perform a physical exam. The doctor will talk to you about their findings and decide what treatment plan to choose for you. They also decide which type of radiation therapy to use (External beam therapy or Internal radiation therapy).

Medical Oncologists

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults/children using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist one of the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.

Pathologists

A pathologist is a medical healthcare provider who examines bodies and body tissues. He or she is also responsible for performing lab tests. A pathologist helps other healthcare providers reach diagnoses and is an important member of the treatment team. Since the diagnosis and type of cancer is confirmed by pathologists, their role in oncology is pivotal.

Radiologists

Are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer using medical imaging techniques, such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.

Pain and palliative care expert 

Is a physician with special training in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of all different types of pain, including pain from cancer and associated treatments. The expert may not necessarily focus on the cause of the ailment as a way to eliminate pain and rather look to make the patient as comfortable as possible.