Cancer Management and Research (Sep 2020)

Benefits and Limitations of a Multidisciplinary Approach in Cancer Patient Management

  • Berardi R,
  • Morgese F,
  • Rinaldi S,
  • Torniai M,
  • Mentrasti G,
  • Scortichini L,
  • Giampieri R

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 9363 – 9374

Abstract

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Rossana Berardi, Francesca Morgese, Silvia Rinaldi, Mariangela Torniai, Giulia Mentrasti, Laura Scortichini, Riccardo Giampieri Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, ItalyCorrespondence: Rossana BerardiClinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, AOU Ospedali Riuniti Di Ancona via Conca 71, Ancona 60126, ItalyTel +39 071 596-5715Fax +39 071 5965053Email [email protected]: Over the years, a growing body of literature has confirmed as beneficial the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the so-often-intricate scenario of cancer patients’ management. Together with the consolidation of tumor-board experience in clinical practice, certain aspects have emerged as controversial and a source of current debate. In this systematic literature review, we focused our attention on the impact of multidisciplinary tumor boards, assessing benefits and limitations as a result of the dissemination of such approaches. On the bright side, adherence to clinical guidelines, treatment outcomes, and overall improvement in decision-making processes have been recognized as advantages. On the other side, our analysis highlights a few limitations that should be taken into account to optimize cancer patients’ management. Of note, some issues, such as costs, legal responsibility, geographic barriers, and treatment delays, have yet to be resolved. In order partly to address this matter, software platforms and novel methods of computational analysis may provide the needed support. Therefore, the aim of our analysis was to describe the multidisciplinary approach in cancer care in terms of adherence to clinical guidelines, treatment outcomes, and overall improvement in decision-making processes through a systematic review of the literature.Keywords: multidisciplinary, tumor board, cancer patients, benefits, limitations

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