Preparing the Tumor Board

A tumor board chair and a radiologist review a complex case file before the meeting starts.

Preparing the Tumor Board

Listen and choose the right answer

What is the main concern regarding the pancreatic case at the start of the meeting?

• Whether the mass is resectable and how the surgeon will react
• Whether the hospital can afford the targeted therapy drugs
• Whether the patient will accept palliative care

What does the latest pathology review reveal?

• A low tumor mutational burden requiring immediate surgery
• A high tumor mutational burden supporting immunotherapy
• An untreatable infection requiring immediate postponement

What unexpected development occurs just before the tumor board begins?

• The hospital director cancels the entire meeting due to budget cuts.
• The patient's family files a malpractice suit against the radiology team.
• The patient insists on attending the tumor board session herself via video link.

How does Molly plan to handle potential arguments during the session?

• By framing the question early and parking disruptive issues
• By allowing the surgeon to speak for as long as needed
• By postponing the difficult case until next month

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Molly: Good morning, Tyler. Let's review the agenda before our ____ starts in twenty minutes.
• Molly: Let me frame the question right from the start so we don't get bogged down in endless ____ arguments.
• Tyler: That's wise, because the radiology review shows the mass is borderline ____ , and the surgeon will definitely push for immediate resection.
• Molly: If the surgeon starts debating vascular involvement too long, can we park that issue and move straight to the ____ ?
• Tyler: We certainly can, provided we also examine her clinical trial eligibility before discussing ____ options.

Sources: photo by Charlss GonzHu on Pexels