Management changes and survival outcomes for cancer patients after multidisciplinary team discussion; a systematic review and meta-analysis
A partir d'une revue systématique de la littérature (37 études, 56 187 patients), cette méta-analyse évalue les changements dans la prise en charge thérapeutique après des réunions de concertation pluridisciplinaire et examine l'impact de ces réunions sur la survie des patients atteints d'un cancer
Objective: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) review of cancer patients has become routine in many institutions worldwide. The process seeks to ensure correct diagnosis and staging, optimise treatment decisions and improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to measure any differences in management and survival of cancer patients reviewed at an MDT meeting compared to patients not reviewed or with management plans made prior to MDT review.
Methods and Analysis: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was undertaken with searches of Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Trials Register to 7 June 2024, with no restrictions on language or era.
Results: From 2832 titles, 179 comparative studies were identified. Hazard ratios (HRs) for death, generated from multivariable analyses, were reported in 37 studies that included 56,187 patients but estimates were highly variable (I2 87 %), ranging from HR 0.1 to 0.96. While the magnitude of the benefit for patients after MDT review was variable, all 37 studies reported a reduced risk of death for MDT-reviewed patients compared to non-reviewed patients. Sub-group analyses based on the patient’s cancer type reduced heterogeneity in patients with breast and hepatocellular carcinomas and suggested a reduced risk of death in MDT-reviewed patients compared to those not reviewed (HR 0.86, 95 %CI 0.79–0.93, I2 56 %, p = 0.0001 and HR 0.82,95 %CI 0.76–0.88, I2 36 %, p < 0.00001, respectively).
Conclusion: Extensive evidence shows a survival benefit for cancer patients discussed at an MDT meeting but there is considerable variation in the reported magnitude of that benefit, ranging from a 4% to a 90% reduction in the risk of death.
Cancer Treatment Reviews , résumé, 2025