What type of cases are discussed at a cancer conference, focusing on staging and treatment options?

Cancer conferences, often referred to as tumor boards, focus on cases that provide real-time insights into patient management. The cases discussed typically involve prospective patients, emphasizing staging and treatment options that are still in the process of being determined or carried out. By analyzing these current cases, multidisciplinary teams can collaboratively assess diagnostic imaging, lab results, and treatment responses to tailor management plans based on the latest clinical guidelines, research, and patient-specific factors.

Prospective cases allow for an inclusive discussion that helps care teams evaluate the potential outcomes of various treatment modalities before they are implemented. This proactive approach contrasts with retrospective cases, which look back at previously treated patients without the ability to influence their current treatment paths. Therefore, focusing on prospective cases ensures that the discussions are relevant and directly applicable to ongoing patient care.