Result of the implementation of multidisciplinary teams in rectal cancer

Aim In 2003 colorectal multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) were established in all major Danish hospitals treating colorectal cancer. The aim was to improve the prognosis by multidisciplinary evaluation and decision about surgical and oncological treatment, based on medical history, clinical examination, imaging, histology and comorbidity. The present study evaluates the effect of the introduction of colorectal MDTs on 1 August 2004 in two Danish hospitals. Method A retrospective cohort study was conducted comparing the outcome during the last 3years before introduction of MDTs with the first 2years after (the MDT cohort). The national colorectal cancer database, with follow-up recorded by the National Patient Registry in September 2010 was used. The end-points included the incidence of preoperative radiochemotherapy offered according to the national guidelines, R0/R1/R2 resection, postoperative mortality, local recurrence, distant recurrence and over-all and disease-free survival. Results Eight hundred and eleven patients were diagnosed with primary rectal cancer in Hvidovre and Bispebjerg hospitals between 1 May 2001 and 31 August 2006. The frequency of preoperative MRI scans increased in the MDT cohort and perioperative mortality decreased. More metachronous distant metastases were found in the MDT cohort but there was no difference in overall survival. Conclusion There was an improved postoperative mortality but no other potential benefits for the patients were seen after the implementation of colorectal MDTs.