An evaluation of the impact of a multidisciplinary team, in a single centre, on treatment and survival in patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Treatment and survival of patients with inoperable Non-small-cell lung cancer in 1997 ( n =117) and 2001 ( n =126), before and after the introduction of a multidisciplinary team, was examined in a single centre. There were no differences in age, sex and extent of deprivation between the two years. However, in 2001, 23% of patients received chemotherapy treatment compared with 7% in 1997 ( P <0.001). Median survival in 2001 was 6.6 months compared with 3.2 months in 1997 ( P <0.001).

Multidisciplinary Management of Cancer Patients: Chasing a Shadow or Real Value? An Overview of the Literature

“…A limited number of studies assessed impact of mccs on patient outcomes [4][5][6]15,23,29 . The common conclusion drawn was that multidisciplinary clinics and mdts are associated with improved survival.…”

“…A trend toward shorter survival was associated with that discordance, although the trend was nonsignificant ( p = 0.07). Another study comparing survival in two groups of patients (before and after implementation of a multidisciplinary team) found that median patient survival increased after team implementation (3.2 months vs. 6.6 months, p < 0.002) 23 . In contrast, one prospective study involving 50 patients concluded that mccs do not improve the overall quality of clinical decision-making 24 .…”

Tumor Boards: Beyond the Patient Care Conference

“…The TB offers a platform for multiple expert consultations in a timely fashion resulting in practical and relevant recommendation to manage the patient. It is known fact that TB may impact the management of the patients discussed [5][6][7][8][9][10]. 2.…”

An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: The Role of the Pulmonologist in the Diagnosis and Management of Lung Cancer

“…Lung cancer prognosis and outcomes depend not only on histological characteristics and staging of the cancer but also on the presence and proper management of comorbidities, local symptoms, treatment-related morbidity, and quality of life (32)(33)(34). Data show that high-volume centers and multidisciplinary teams are more efficient at managing patients with lung cancer than low-volume or nonmultidisciplinary centers by providing more complete staging, better adherence to guidelines, and increased survival (23,26,31). These data supporting multidisciplinary teams are included in national guidelines for lung cancer centers under the coordination of chest physicians (35).…”

“…Evidence in favor of the multidisciplinary management concept comes from a number of publications on cancer management in general and fewer studies in lung cancer in particular. A report, from a single center study in Scotland (31) shows that median survival of patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer was 3.2 months in 1997 and 6.6 months in 2001, before and after the introduction of a multidisciplinary team (P , 0.001). The difference was not accounted for by differences in age, sex, or extent of disease between the two years.…”