Tumour Board Approach in Cancer Care: Why Multiple Specialists Matter

• A tumour board is a meeting of multiple specialists who review a cancer case together and agree on a treatment plan.
• Typical members include medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists.
• This approach helps ensure diagnosis and staging are accurate before treatment begins.
• It brings together different treatment perspectives, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, in one discussion.
• Tumour boards are especially valuable for complex, rare, or borderline cases.
• Patients do not usually attend the meeting itself, but receive its recommendations through their treating doctor.
• The tumour board's plan can evolve as treatment progresses and new information becomes available.
• This structure builds a form of built-in second opinion into standard cancer care.
  
  

What Is a Tumour Board?

Who Takes Part in a Tumour Board?

• Medical oncologists, who manage chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy
• Surgical oncologists, who assess and perform cancer surgery
• Radiation oncologists, who plan and deliver radiation therapy
• Radiologists, who interpret imaging such as CT, MRI, and PET scans
• Pathologists, who examine biopsy and tissue samples to confirm diagnosis
• Other specialists as relevant, such as nuclear medicine physicians, geneticists, or palliative care specialists
  
  

What Is the Difference Between a Medical Oncologist and a Surgical Oncologist?

Why Does Cancer Treatment Need Multiple Specialists?

• A radiologist may identify how far a tumour has spread on imaging
• A pathologist may clarify the exact type and grade of cancer from tissue samples
• A surgical oncologist may assess whether the tumour can be safely removed
• A medical oncologist may consider whether chemotherapy should come before or after surgery
• A radiation oncologist may evaluate whether radiation could improve local control of the disease
  
  

Does Every Cancer Patient Go Through a Tumour Board?

How Does a Tumour Board Improve Patient Care?

• More accurate diagnosis and staging, since imaging and pathology are reviewed together
• A treatment plan that considers all reasonable options, not just one specialist's default approach
• Reduced risk of important details being missed between separate, disconnected consultations
• Faster coordination between departments once a plan is agreed
• A built-in additional perspective, similar in spirit to a second opinion, as part of routine care
  
  

Is a Tumour Board the Same as Getting a Second Opinion?

What Happens During a Tumour Board Meeting?

• The patient's case is presented, usually by the referring specialist, with relevant history
• Imaging scans are reviewed and discussed by a radiologist
• Pathology findings are presented, clarifying the exact diagnosis and grade
• Each relevant specialist shares their assessment of treatment options
• The group discusses and agrees on a recommended treatment plan and sequence
• The plan is documented and communicated back to the patient's treating doctor
  
  

How Renova's Oncology Team Uses This Approach

Medical Review

Consult the Oncology Team at Renova Hospitals

Questions to Ask Your Oncology Team

• Was my case discussed at a tumour board, or will it be?
• Which specialists were, or will be, involved in reviewing my case?
• Were more than one treatment approach considered for my situation?
• How will I be updated if the recommended plan changes over time?
  
  

The Bottom Line

Medical References

• National Cancer Institute (NCI), NCI Dictionary, Tumor Board Review
• American Cancer Society, Health Professionals Associated With Cancer Care
• World Health Organization (WHO), Cancer