Development of an International Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board for Breast Cancer in Mongolia

Kirstyn E. Brownson, Angel Flores-Huidobro Martinez, Javkhlan Ganbayar, Leif M. Sorensen, Anna M. Darelli-Anderson, Saranya Prathibha, Noelle Hoven, Erdenekhuu Nansalmaa, Jonathon Mahlow, Batsukh Pushkin, David Potter, Todd Tuttle, Raymond R. Price

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Mongolian women and mortality rates are high. We describe a virtual multi-institutional and multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) for breast cancer created to assist the National Cancer Center of Mongolia. Materials and Methods: A virtual MTB for breast cancer was conducted with participation of two United States and 1 Mongolian cancer centers. A standardized template for presentations was developed. Recommendations were summarized and shared with participants. Collected data included patient demographics, tumor characteristics, stage, imaging and treatments performed, and recommendations. Questions were categorized as treatment, diagnosis, or palliative questions. Results: Fifteen patients were evaluated. Median age was 39 y. 86.7% of breast cancers were invasive ductal cancers and 13.3% were metaplastic carcinomas. 53.3% were estrogen and progesterone receptor positive (ER+/PR+), 60% were HER2+, 13.3% were triple negative, and 26.7% were recurrent. 40% of patients were evaluated with mammography. 6% received positron emission tomography scans for metastatic evaluation. 66.7% of surgical patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Herceptin was administered to 55.6% of patients with Her2+ cancers. Modified radical mastectomy was most commonly performed and reconstruction was rare. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was not performed. 66.7% of ER+/PR+ patients received endocrine therapy. 6.7% of patients received radiation. 75% of MTB questions pertained to treatment. Recommendations were related to systemic therapy (40%), surgical management (33.3%), pathology (13.3%), and imaging (13.3%). Conclusions: This study illustrates the development of an international, virtual, multi-institutional breast cancer MTB and provides insight into challenges and potential interventions to improve breast cancer care in Mongolia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)776-782
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume295
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Global surgery
  • Tumor board

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of an International Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board for Breast Cancer in Mongolia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this