Multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) is considered to be beneficial for patients undergoing complex treatments for cancer. The efforts of MDT led to the initiation of nowadays well known trials in gastroesophageal cancer treatment. Here we report the experience of MDT of the Center for Gastric Cancer of the National Cancer Center, Korea. We show the management not only of oncologic treatment plans but also treatment decisions on perioperative oncologic therapy and multimodal management of postoperative and various treatment-related complications. Six cases from gastroenterology, hemato-oncology and surgery parts were presented to show function and effect of MDT conference. Those examples typically showed that even final pathological diagnosis was chnged after MDT conference for some cases, gives adequate decision for further treatment after compications, and offered optimal treatment decision for difficult metastatic disease. Also, management of complications are now more effectively resolved with multidisciplinay intervention with close communication. The local MDT conference can be considered as a fast and effective tool for adequate treatment and improving quality of the treatment. Therefore MDT is an essential component of cancer care to improve patient’s outcome.
Multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) is considered to be beneficial for patients undergoing complex treatments for cancer. However treatment modalities for malignant diseases have become more and more sophisticated over the recent decade. Multiple prospectively randomized controlled trials have shown benefits not only for perioperative but also for non curative treatment modalities [
The efforts of MDT led to the initiation of nowadays well known trials in gastroesophagal cancer treatment [
A 79-year-old man was diagnosed as one early gastric cancer on mid-body posterior wall and one high-grade adenoma at just proximal area to the main lesion in the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The long diameter was 1.5 cm and 1.2 cm respectively, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed for the two lesions without any complication. However, the pathological report revealed a 4.5 cm sized lesion invaded submucosal layer, and proximal margin was less than 1 mm. In the multidisciplinary conference, the endoscopist argued that lesions were not single, but double, and requested pathological reexamination. Also, participants discussed next plan for each cases. If he had a single large submucosal lesion, it was out of expanded criteria of ESD and additional surgery was needed. However, if it was proved to be less than 3 cmsized double lesions, they were included in the expanded criteria of ESD, and close observation can be available. After multidisciplinary conference, the pathologist reexamined his specimen and diagnosed as two early gastric cancers.
A 56-year-old man underwent ESD for 2.5 cm sized adenoma on antrum greater curvature of stomach. He had neither underlying disease nor gastrointestinal symptom, and ESD procedure was completely performed. However, Mallory-Weiss tearing was developed due to patient’s frequent belching and full-thickness laceration was observed. Immediately endoscopic clipping was performed for the laceration and bleeding was controlled by electrocoagulation. Chest X-ray showed large amount of free air under the diaphragm, and small amount of high-attenuated fluid suggesting hematoma was defined in the computed tomography (CT). In the multidisciplinary conference, participants discussed whether further surgery was needed or not. After checking the patient’s vital sign, symptom, and laboratory finding, surgeons replyed that close observation with antibiotics was preferred rather than additional surgery. After fasting for 7 days, the patient started diet and discharged without any complication.
A 48-year-old man was diagnosed as advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis in September 2009. From October 2009 to November 2011, he received 28 cycles of chemotherapy (TS-1 and oxalliplatin), and second line of chemotherapy (Docetaxel and Cisplatin, DP) was started in February 2012. Totally, 14 cycles of second line chemotherapy was performed until January 2013. After the 14th cycle of DP, EGD showed complete remission status and unchanged advanced gastric cancer with a suprapancreatic metastatic lymph node was found in abdominal CT. There was no evidence of liver metastasis. In the multidisciplinary conference, participant discussed the patient’s operability, and surgeons recommended radical operation. After operation, pathological report showed yp T2N0, and the patient received additional chemotherapy.
A 40-year-old woman underwent subtotal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer (pT4aN3a) in February 2012. From March 2012 to April 2013, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with TS-1 and cisplatin. In July 2013, she complained of abdominal pain, and CT showed A-loop syndrome due to recurrent mass. Endoscopic stent insertion was planed and successfully performed. However, diffuse retroperitoneal air, bilateral pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema were observed in the chest X-ray and CT. In the multidisciplinary conference, the next plan was discussed by participants. After confirming stable vital sign and unremarkable symptom and laboratory finding, participants recommended close observation with antibiotics. The patient was treated with chest tube for penumothorax and abdominal pain was subsided as time went by. After gas passage, she started diet and discharged uneventfully.
A 81-year-old man was diagnosed as double gastric lesions: one was 2.5 cm sized advanced gastric cancer on angle posterior wall, and the other was 2 cm sized adenoma on cardia lesser curvature of stomach. Previously, he underwent percutaneous catheter insertion due to myocardiac infarction in 2004, and current single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed partially reversible perfusion defect. In the multidisciplinary, the order of treatment and treatment methods were discussed. If the adenoma was treated by ESD, subtotal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer could be available. Conversely, total gastrectomy can be considered as one-step treatment. Moreover, cardiac evaluation and stent insertion with anticoagulation in case of necessity should be stated. After discussing, participants recommended ESD for adenoma following by cardiac evaluation. When coronary arteriography demonstrates tolerability of operation, minimal invasive surgery can be performed for advanced gastric cancer.
A 58-year-old woman underwent robot-assisted total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (pT1bN0). On postoperative day 2, abdominal pain with high fever was presented, and abdominal CT revealed postoperative small bowel ileus at proximal E-loop and A-loop probably due to jejunojejunal anastomosis stricture. Percutaneous jejunostomy was inserted at the dilated A-loop and conservative management was performed. On postoperative day 7, EGD found leakage on esophagojejunal anastomosis and circular stenosis at 70 cm from upper incisor. In the multidisciplinary conference, the surgeon asked endoscopists way of solution for the stenosis. Endoscopists recommended conservative management and regular follow-up with EGD. Because balloon dilatation was risky due to active ulcer with inflammation, and endoscopic stent was inappropriate for benign ulcer because of difficulty in removal. The leakage on esophagojejuanl ansosmosis and jejunal stenosis was improved in follow-up EGD on poastoperative day 22.
Despite the huge efforts undertaken, there is no strong evidence that MDT improves patients’ overall survival [
The MDT conference at the Center for Gastric Cancer of NCCK was established when the hospital opened in 2001. Since then regular weekly meetings take place incorporating surgeons, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiologists and specialized nurses (patient care, research and trials). Each case is presented according to treatment schedules and admission status. Out- and in-patients are discussed according to their respective diagnosis. All treatment decisions are taken in concordance with all MDT members. Due to its consistent character, MDT at NCCK fulfills the demands and requirements stated before. Protected time is warranted as much as appropriate infrastructure. All members are aware of their role within the team so that treatment decisions can be considered consistent. Further there is a strong adherence to national and international guidelines which is supported by the fact that all MDT members are exclusively specialized in gastric cancer treatment. Regular training is warranted by reviews of the recent literature shared between the team members. The described cases reveal that MDT does not only play a role in oncologic issues but also on perioperative problems. The case presentations reveal that treatment decisions are based on guidelines as recommended. Further on, review of postoperative findings led to changes in pathology reporting and treatment planning. This is consistent with reports that MDT not only may improve staging accuracy but also management of the therapeutic concept [
The local MDT conference can be considered as a fast and effective tool for adequate treatment and improving quality of the treatment. Therefore MDT is an essential component of cancer care to improve patient’s outcome. Further research on effectiveness of MDT and creation of objective data and evidence is needed to promote approval of insurance reimbursement in order to establish comprehensive cancer centers in Korea. Further, prospective and continuous evaluation of the patients treated within a MDT setting is going to provide improvements in outcome for gastric cancer.
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
This work was supported by a Grant (NCC 0310060-3) from the National Cancer Center, South Korea.