Clinical and Translational Radiation Oncology (Sep 2024)

Clinical management of oligometastatic cancer: Applying multidisciplinary tumor board recommendations in practice

  • Sebastian M. Christ,
  • Minsu Breitenstein,
  • Philip Heesen,
  • Brandon Turner,
  • Urs J. Muehlematter,
  • Kaspar Pohl,
  • Jonas Willmann,
  • Alexander Maurer,
  • Sukhdeep K. Nagpal,
  • Maiwand Ahmadsei,
  • Eugenia Badra Vlaskou,
  • Esmée L. Looman,
  • Astrid E. Heusel,
  • Michael Mayinger,
  • Panagiotis Balermpas,
  • Andreas Wicki,
  • Nicolaus Andratschke,
  • Tracy Balboni,
  • Mai Anh Huynh,
  • Martin Huellner,
  • Matthias Guckenberger

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 48
p. 100838

Abstract

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Aims: Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTs) are an integral part of ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and personalized cancer care. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the adherence to and implementation of MDT recommendations in patients with oligometastatic disease (OMD). Methods: We screened all oncologic positron emission tomography (PET) scans conducted at a single comprehensive cancer center in 2020. Patients were included if they had evidence of imaging-based OMD from a solid organ malignancy on the index scans, had their OMD case discussed at an MDT, and were treated and followed up at the same center. A switch away from the MDT-recommended treatment modalities was classified as a major deviation; non-MDT-mandated adjustments to a recommended treatment modality were coded as minor deviation. Clinical data was obtained via chart review; statistical calculations were computed using the R software. Results: After review of PET and/or concurrent brain scans, 787 cases of OMD were identified. Thereof, 347 (44.1 %) cases were discussed at MDT, of which 331 (42.1 %) were therapeutically managed and subsequently followed. The three most commonly recommended therapies were systemic therapy (35.6 %), multimodality treatment including definitive local therapy (17.8 %), and radiotherapy (13.9 %). A major deviation was recorded in 16.3 % of cases (most commonly: none of the MDT-recommended treatment modalities were performed: 19 (35.2 %); not all MDT-planned treatment modalities were performed: 12 (22.2 %); and additional treatment modality was performed: 11 (20.3 %). A minor deviation was found in 1.5 % of cases. On multivariable regression, number of distant metastases (n > 1) was associated with a major deviation (OR: 1.85; 95 % CI, 1.0–3.52). Major deviations were associated with a significantly worse OS (p = 0.0034). Conclusions: Adherence to and implementation of MDT recommendations in OMD patients was generally high (83.7%). Major deviations might be further reduced by more careful and elaborate discussions of OMD patient characteristics s and patient preferences.

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