11 tumor boards are present at Anadolu Medical Center!
The number of the tumor boards of Anadolu Medical Center, which are based on the cooperation of different specialties and based on the multidisciplinary working system, has been increased to 11 in accordance with the standards of the Organization of the European Cancer Institutes (OECI).
It is extremely important for all relevant branches to act together for the planning and administration of the treatment of each patient diagnosed with cancer, to discuss and conclude each step together, and to give the most appropriate treatment in the most effective way. The tumor boards of Anadolu Medical Center also act with this perspective, which is based on the unity of power of different specialties.
The number of tumor boards of Anadolu Medical Center, which provides world-class services in the field of oncology and is a reference center in this field, was increased to 11 after OECI accreditation. In addition to the General Tumor Board, the multidisciplinary working environment provided by 11 tumor boards providing services in accordance with the standards of the OECI does not allow any diagnosed cancer patient and their relatives to get tired during the treatment process.
One of the 11 tumor boards of Anadolu Medical Center is the Molecular Tumor Board, which also includes scientists from different hospitals in Turkey and abroad to discuss the cases. The board, which continues to meet online during the pandemic, is also important in terms of being a first in its field in Turkey.
HOW DO TUMOR BOARDS WORK?
At Anadolu Medical Center, cancer types are handled with a medical board structure that will cover all cancer types. Each organ-based tumor board meets once a week according to the conditions and number of cases, and patients who are diagnosed that week or need a change in their treatment or have an unexpected development are evaluated. Boards meet 5 days a week. Around 30 cases are discussed at each board meeting. The most accurate decision about the patient is taken in a multidisciplinary approach with the joint decision of all cancer-related specialties. Decisions taken jointly according to new developments and evidence-based information are recorded in the patients’ files. Of course, it doesn't end that way. The Tumor Boards of Anadolu Medical Center, which act with the principle of working together in order to comply with the principle of “first do no harm” and to provide the best service to patients, follow the latest scientific studies in order to make the healthiest decisions for patients.
Compliance with all decisions is followed strictly.
At Anadolu Medical Center, the rate of compliance with the decisions of tumor boards is over 90 percent. Under OECI accreditation, at least 50 percent of newly diagnosed patients are expected to be discussed by boards. In Anadolu Medical Center, this rate exceeded 90 percent.
BOARDS ARE OPEN TO MEDICAL SECOND OPINION AS WELL!
Patients who apply to Anadolu Medical Center for a medical second opinion from abroad are also evaluated and discussed in tumor boards.
WHO TAKES PART IN THE BOARDS?
Specialists from various specialties such as medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgeon of the relevant department, radiologist, nuclear medicine specialist and pathologist take part in tumor boards. Psychiatrists or psychologists may also be invited to board meetings. Each board has a chairperson from the relevant department and a board coordinator nurse.
The role of the coordinator nurses is very important in terms of the continuity of the boards and the traceability of the board's history. The number of evaluated oncology patients is increasing day by day in these boards and nurses ensure that newly diagnosed cancer patients are discussed, the agenda is set, and the decisions of the are recorded in the patient file. Although most of the newly diagnosed cancer patients are evaluated by tumor boards at the end of the year, the reasons for complying or not complying with the recommendations of the board are monitored and reported to a higher board.
WHY TUMOR BOARDS ARE IMPORTANT FOR PATIENTS?
Cancer patients and their relatives do not have to visit different specialties one by one. Tumor boards evaluate all aspects of the cases and ensure that an appropriate treatment is planned for the patient.
Following evaluations by highly important specialists, the most appropriate decision is taken with a consensus. Thus, the decision-making process is shortened and patients are started on treatment earlier.
All specialists in the board evaluate each case based on the most up-to-date literature information in their field.
With a multidisciplinary perspective, situations that may be overlooked about the tumor are recognized in a timely manner, investigated and discussed.
Not only complicated cases, but every cancer case is presented to the board. Sometimes boards meet even for a single patient.
Communication between the patient and the board is never interrupted. Patients and their relatives are regularly informed throughout the entire process.
TUMOR BOARDS OF ANADOLU MEDICAL CENTER
SENIOR MANAGEMENT MEDICAL COUNCIL ONCOLOGY BOARD
- Head and Neck Tumors Board
- Endocrine Tumors Board
- Gastrointestinal System Tumor Board
- Gynecological Tumor Board
- Osseous and Soft Tissue Tumors Board
- Breast Tumor Board
- Molecular Tumor Board
- Neurooncology Tumor Board
- Pediatric Oncology Board
- Thoracic Tumor Board
- Urooncology Tumor Board
