Narrative Review of Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board
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Abstract
Introduction: A Thoracic Oncology Tumor Committee (CTOT) is a multidisciplinary team that reviews patient cases, discusses therapeutic approaches and develops personalized plans, considering the type of cancer, stage, general condition, and individual patient preferences.
Objectives: To update the evidence and provide guidelines for implementing or enhancing CTOTs, analyzing key factors including preparation, structure, data management and outcome evaluation.
Results: The narrative review highlights that the CTOT is made up of a core group of specialties (thoracic oncology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, and pathology) and an extended team that may be called upon request (e.g., social worker, primary care physicians, palliative care). The frequency of meetings is generally weekly, depending on the volume of cases, with in-person, virtual, and/or hybrid options.
An adequate infrastructure is crucial for proper and efficient functioning, including protocols for case selection and presentation, clear rules for meeting dynamics, a decision-making process based on respect and communication, and a documentation system that guarantees confidentiality. In addition, the importance of measuring results through quality indicators is stressed.
Conclusion: An efficient system in CTOTs allows data collection and its use in research and internal audits, ensuring better patient management.
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References
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