title: Multidisciplinary management for esophageal and gastric cancer.
abstract: The management of esophageal and gastric cancer is complex and involves multiple specialists in an effort to optimize patient outcomes. Utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach starting from the initial staging evaluation ensures that all members are in agreement with the plan of care. Treatment selection for esophageal and gastric cancer often involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and palliative interventions (endoscopic and surgical), and direct communication between specialists in these fields is needed to ensure appropriate clinical decision making. At the University of Colorado, the Esophageal and Gastric Multidisciplinary Clinic was created to bring together all experts involved in treating these diseases at a weekly conference in order to provide patients with coordinated, individualized, and patient-centered care. This review details the essential elements and benefits of building a multidisciplinary program focused on treating esophageal and gastric cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Section of Surgical Oncology, Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Megan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Boniface
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Therapeutic and Interventional Endoscopy, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Sachin B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Tracey E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Schefter
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology-Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: Section of Surgical Oncology, Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meguid
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition Services, University of Colorado Hospital Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wingrove
authors.affiliation: Section of Surgical Oncology, Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Martin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: McCarter
keywords: patient centered; tumor board; upper gastrointestinal malignancies