[From Eminence to Evidence: Defining High-Quality Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards in Lung Cancer Care]

Multidisciplinary tumour boards (MDTs) are central to the delivery of guideline-concordant care to patients with lung cancer. Although their implementation is associated with improvements in the quality of care and clinical outcomes, numerous studies point to shortcomings in the decision-making and in the implementation of MDT recommendations. At the same time, Germany lacks both binding process standards and robust data on how thoracic oncology MDTs are currently conducted. This study aimed to describe quality-related factors associated with effective MDTs, evaluate established instruments for quality assessment, and identify approaches for the structured development of MDT processes in Germany.

A narrative review was conducted based on a focused, non-systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE in February 2026. Original studies, reviews, guidelines, and consensus papers published in German or English were included.

Effective MDTs are characterized by quality-related factors that can be assigned to five dimensions: team, infrastructure, organization, decision-making, and governance. Particularly relevant factors include participation of all relevant medical disciplines, competent moderation, a respectful discussion culture, sufficient preparation time, clearly defined responsibilities, structured processes, and transparent documentation. In addition, comorbidities, psychosocial factors, and patient preferences must be considered to ensure patient-centered decision-making. Validated instruments for quality assessment, such as the MODe questionnaire, are available. Digital conference formats and IT systems for MDT coordination and decision-making offer additional potential for process optimization.

MDTs are indispensable for the care of lung cancer patients. Their effectiveness is determined substantially by structured processes and not solely by the medical expertise of the participating disciplines. In Germany, there is a need for systematic assessment of existing structures and for consistent, validated quality measurement. A nationwide assessment followed by the prospective application of standardized instruments such as MODe could strengthen the national evidence base, identify relevant opportunities for improvement, and establish the foundation for continuous quality improvement in thoracic oncology MDTs.