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AlaskaAngel · 08-31-2008, 09:58 AM

In a word.... YES. While tumor boards are intended to bring in different points of view, they are just meetings and are subject to all the problems that you point out. I pointed tumor boards out as a way of explaining to those who wonder how the recommendations for their treatment may have been decided -- and pointed out that even so, they are still free to get private opinions -- or even, at some institutions, at least sit in for the discussion. Another weakness of tumor boards is that since they are generally institutionally based, they are much more likely to favor whatever equipment they have for treatment as well as whatever philosophy about treatment their specialists happen to prefer. Even if an onc or a surgeon might think the rads therapy at another center is better, how likely is it that he is going try to butt in to influence the rads recommendations from his own institution? Or even recommend to his patients that they have their rads elsewhere, where the equipment may be more current?

As always,

AlaskaAngel

08-31-2008, 09:58 AM	#22
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Tumor boards vs truly independent opinions In a word.... YES. While tumor boards are intended to bring in different points of view, they are just meetings and are subject to all the problems that you point out. I pointed tumor boards out as a way of explaining to those who wonder how the recommendations for their treatment may have been decided -- and pointed out that even so, they are still free to get private opinions -- or even, at some institutions, at least sit in for the discussion. Another weakness of tumor boards is that since they are generally institutionally based, they are much more likely to favor whatever equipment they have for treatment as well as whatever philosophy about treatment their specialists happen to prefer. Even if an onc or a surgeon might think the rads therapy at another center is better, how likely is it that he is going try to butt in to influence the rads recommendations from his own institution? Or even recommend to his patients that they have their rads elsewhere, where the equipment may be more current? As always, AlaskaAngel Last edited by AlaskaAngel; 08-31-2008 at 10:18 AM..