Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

Feb. 09, 2018

Multidisciplinary management for patients with complex lung cancer can be operationalized through multidisciplinary clinics where various specialists interview and examine patients, order and perform diagnostic procedures in an expedited manner, and consider treatment options. To coordinate these consultations and large amounts of clinical data, multidisciplinary management is practiced through team meetings known as tumor boards.

The Mayo Clinic multidisciplinary lung cancer tumor board consists of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and palliative care physicians.

Imaging studies and pathology specimens are reviewed by expert radiologists and pathologists prior to the meeting. The case is presented by the coordinating provider and all diagnostic information is presented by the expert radiologist and pathologist.

The presentation is followed by a multidisciplinary discussion of the best management and treatment strategies for these patients. The conclusions and recommendations are subsequently communicated back to the patient and referring physician by the coordinating provider.

The lung cancer tumor board meeting occurs weekly and is broadcast in real time to Mayo Clinic Care Network members. Colleagues from Mayo Clinic Care Network are able to participate in the discussions of the patients reviewed and also have an opportunity to present their own cases of complex patients for discussion.

This multidisciplinary team assembly provides the most up-to-date treatment options for patients with lung cancer, explores enrollment in clinical trials, and enhances cross-discipline education from the exchange of information and expert opinion.