Clinical Report: Neuro-Oncology Tumor Boards Adoption and Virtualization During COVID-19

Overview

A national survey of 65 German neuro-oncology centers revealed widespread adoption of neuro-oncology tumor boards (NTBs), predominantly held weekly and established for over three years in most centers. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digitalization and virtualization of NTBs, facilitating broader expert collaboration and potentially improving neuro-oncological care quality.

Background

Neuro-oncological care requires multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) to coordinate complex treatment decisions and maintain high-quality cancer care. MTBs enhance collaboration, guideline adherence, and access to clinical trials but vary widely in implementation and documentation. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual participation from external centers was limited despite recognized benefits. The pandemic has driven rapid adoption of digital platforms, offering new opportunities for expert networking and nationwide quality assurance in neuro-oncology.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• 67% response rate from neuro-oncology centers across Germany, representing diverse hospital types.
• 95% of centers discuss brain metastases in NTBs; all discuss primary brain tumors.
• NTBs are conducted weekly and have been established for over three years in nearly 90% of centers.
• Only 5% of centers reported no implementation or affiliation with an NTB.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual platforms for NTBs, enhancing external center participation and expert networking.
• Specialty participation in NTBs includes multiple disciplines, supporting comprehensive neuro-oncological care.

Clinical Implications

Regularly scheduled NTBs are integral to neuro-oncological care, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration and adherence to treatment guidelines. The shift toward virtual NTBs during the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to include external and satellite centers, potentially improving access to expert opinions and standardizing care across institutions. Clinicians should consider leveraging digital platforms to enhance tumor board participation and optimize patient management.

Conclusion

Neuro-oncology tumor boards are widely established and critical for multidisciplinary care in Germany. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed their digital transformation, presenting new avenues to improve collaboration and quality assurance in neuro-oncological treatment.

References

1. Snyder et al. -- Implementation and heterogeneity of neuro-oncology MTBs
2. Robin et al. -- Recommendations for multidisciplinary brain tumor boards
3. WeisseListe.de -- Provider transparency portal in Germany