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Published on: April 16, 2019
Neuro-oncology Multidisciplinary Clinic and Improvements in Patient Outcome
Gregory J Kubicek1, Nora Yocum2, Christina Thomas1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson at Cooper.
Background:
Neuro-oncology care is becoming increasingly complex and patients often see multiple specialists. Multidisciplinary clinic (MDC) is a patient-centric option to allow multiple specialists to be involved where patients see multiple providers on the same day.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of a neuro-oncology MDC on patient outcomes.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients who received radiosurgery for central nervous system (CNS) disease. We evaluated patients 2 years before and 2 years after the implementation of a MDC.
Results:
A total of 351 patients were analyzed, 163 patients before MDC and 188 after implementation of MDC. Before MDC the median follow-up was dependent on which department ordered follow-up radiographic imaging. This discrepancy decreased after the MDC. Overall survival for patients with CNS metastatic disease improved in the MDC cohort (median survival of 248 before MDC and 315 d after, P<0.027).
Conclusion:
We found that neuro-oncology MDC improved follow-up across disciplines and improved overall survival for patients with CNS metastatic disease.
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