Importance of Tumour Board in Cancer Care
The word ‘Cancer’ strikes us with fear. However, knowing that you have the best team of doctors on your side for cancer treatment will make you feel more confident and help in fighting this fear! Treatment of Cancer is often a multi-modality approach and may include either one or a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Hence, more than one specialist are involved in the treatment of various phases of the disease trajectory. That’s why Tumour Board exists. A Tumour Board consists of senior consultants and experts from various disciplines of oncology that share and exchange views based on the clinical findings, present cancer stage and various other criteria before designing the most suitable cancer management plan for the patient.
Some of the distinct advantages of a Tumour Board care include:
Better Treatment and Care – With Tumour Board’s multidisciplinary approach – many minds instead of one are put to work, sharing and exchanging views and knowledge. This allows the patients to get more personalized care.
Monetary Benefit – The patient enjoys the benefit of opinion of different oncologists and cancer specialists participating in the Tumour Board for a single consultation fee.
Treatment in accordance to Standard guidelines- A Tumour Board often consists of Ear, nose and throat physicians, Surgical oncologists, Reconstructive surgeons, Medical and radiation oncologists, Pathologists, Psychologists, Physiotherapist, Nutritionist, Nurses and Trainees. Collaboratively, they devise a treatment plan that is in accordance with the National and International standard protocols (NCCN guidelines).
Improved Patient Satisfaction- It’s good for cancer patients to know that there’s a whole group of experts and specialists working to identify best treatment plan for them. It helps them to keep a positive outlook and gain confidence in fighting cancer.
At Apollo CBCC, complicated cancer cases go through discussions in Tumour Board, consisting of senior consultants and experts from various disciplines of oncology.