Impact of a Virtual Multidisciplinary Lymphoma Tumor Board on Clinical Decision-Making

To evaluate the impact of a virtual multidisciplinary lymphoma tumor board on clinical decision-making over time.

The Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Tumor Board, part of the International Mayo Clinic Care Network, conducted a retrospective review of 722 cases from January 1, 2014 to July 31,2024. The process includes review of clinical history, radiology, and hematopathology. In March 2020, the board transitioned to a fully virtual format. Recommendations regarding radiology, pathology, and treatment were tracked to compare pre-COVID (January 2014-February 2020) and post-COVID (March 2020-July 2024) eras.

Of 722 cases, changes in care were identified in 423 patients. In the pre-COVID period (n=431), changes were recommended for 217 patients (50.3%, 217/431). Post-COVID (n=291), changes were recommended for 206 patients (70.8%, 206/291), representing a 40.6% relative increase (p < 0.001). Average recommendations per case rose from 0.64 (277/431) to 1.18 (343/291). Post-COVID increases were observed across all domains: radiologic interpretation changes rose from 2.1% (9/431) to 7.2% (21/291), pathologic diagnosis changes from 10.0% (43/431) to 18.6% (54/291), additional testing recommendations from 16.9% (73/431) to 29.2% (85/291), and clinical management alterations from 35.3% (152/431) to 62.9% (183/291).

The transition to a Virtual Tumor Board format coincided with increased tumor board-driven recommendations affecting diagnostic interpretation and clinical management. These results illustrate the potential of Virtual Tumor Boards to improve collaborative decision-making and adapt to evolving clinical needs.