For patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time, a multidisciplinary tumor board develops a plan for additional diagnostics and treatment.
What is a breast cancer MTB consultation?
An MTB consultation for a breast cancer patient is a joint consultation between medical specialists involved in the examination and treatment of patients, with the aim of evaluating the results of the breast cancer patient's tests, accuracy, determine the scope and methods of additional examinations if necessary, establish the optimal treatment tactics and select the most appropriate individualized treatment methods, and educate the specialists involved in the treatment of patients.
Which specialists participate in the MTB for breast cancer?
The main members of the multidisciplinary team (MTB) are a breast cancer surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a radiologist, and a pathologist. If necessary, other healthcare specialists are also involved: a plastic reconstructive surgeon, a geneticist, a social worker, a nurse, a medical psychologist, or a psychiatrist. The core members of the MTB must have experience in diagnosing and treating patients with breast cancer.
What is a breast cancer MTB protocol?
The MTB team protocol contains the patient's demographic data, the results and conclusions of laboratory and instrumental examinations, radiological examinations, and pathology examination data. If it is necessary to review and evaluate histological preparations prepared at other institutions, the referring medical specialist must submit these preparations to the pathologist three working days before the discussion. The MTB meeting takes place at a fixed time according to a mutually agreed schedule and location. During the MTB meeting, the patient's data is presented by the treating or consulting specialist. After evaluating all of the patient's data, the MTB team members make a decision on the patient's further examination and treatment tactics. The decision made by the MTB team members is recorded in the minutes. After discussing the patient's condition and making a decision, the minutes are signed by the members and the specialist physician who presented the patient's case. The decisions of the MTB are mandatory.
