title: Analysis of decision making at a multidisciplinary head and neck tumor board incorporating evidence-based National Cancer Comprehensive Network (NCCN) guidelines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate incorporation of National Cancer Comprehensive Network (NCCN) guidelines in decision making at a head and neck cancer (HNC) multidisciplinary tumor board (MDT) at an urban academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 176 HNC patients was performed. The extent to which MDT decisions and subsequent patient care incorporate NCCN guidelines was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 173 (98.3%) HNC patients received MDT recommendations according to NCCN guidelines. Of the 159 patients treated, 153 (96.2%) received treatment according to NCCN guidelines. The MDT recommended the highest available evidence-based NCCN category guideline in 78.0%. Subsequent treatment using the same or higher category MDT recommendation occurred in 87.0% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of patients at an MDT using NCCN guidelines incorporates the highest level of evidence in approximately 80% of patients and translates well into subsequent care. Incorporation of the highest available NCCN guideline may be improved, although management should be individualized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Bhartesh A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Muhammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Scharukh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jalisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grillone
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salama
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cooley
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zaner
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: mitruong@bu.edu.
authors.forename: Minh Tam
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Truong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies