Establishing an interdisciplinary oncology team

Abstract

In recent decades, cancer treatment has evolved from a purely surgical approach to the complex coordination of sophisticated surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The technology associated with pain and nutrition management has improved, and the importance of psychosocial factors in the treatment of cancer patients has been recognized. The knowledge base pertaining to cancer treatment has become so vast that many physicians have developed subspecialty expertise in a focused aspect of cancer care. Quality of care analyses have indicated that the improved outcomes of certain cancer treatments occur when they are provided at high-volume facilities. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.