The rectal cancer program at the UP-PGH: Institutionalizing the multidisciplinary team paradigm

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The paper aimed to described and document the multidisciplinary process being ascribed to in the care of the colorectal cancer patient at the UP-PGH as conducted by the UP-PGH Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Study Group.METHODS: A description of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) process is presented. Data supplementing the documentation of the MDT process were, likewise, presented.RESULTS: In 2008, 214 rectal cancer patients were admitted and managed by the Division of Colorectal Surgery. Of these, 52 patients with mid- to low-rectal tumors eventually underwent resection of the primary lesion. Forty-one (79%) underwent a sphincter-saving operation. Only 11 APRs were performed. Our APR rate was, thus, at 21 percent. Among the 52 patients, 18 underwent neoadjuvant treatment with 10 subjected to chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery, a pathologic complete response was observed in 4 patients.CONCLUSION: With the increasing incidence of colorectal malignancies and the continuing collection of evidence supporting multimodality approach, the role of multidisciplinary team in the management of these cancers has come to the fore. UP-PGH Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Study Group has shown that the multidisciplinary team approach may be implemented amidst institutional and financial limitations without compromising the delivery of quality and efficacious cancer management.