Annals of surgical oncology
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The majority of thyroid cancer diagnoses in the United States are stage I well-differentiated cancer. The use of radioactive iodine (RAI) in these low-risk patients has increased over time. The role of surgeon training in decision making regarding treatment with RAI is unknown. ⋯ Training with a surgeon or group of surgeons who focus on thyroid surgery was associated with a lower proportion of stage I thyroid cancer patients receiving RAI after total thyroidectomy. This study emphasizes the importance of surgeon training in hospital practice patterns.
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Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the mobile spine is a benign tumor, but it can be potentially aggressive. There is not much published information on GCT of the mobile spine as a result of rarity of the disease, and there are controversies over prognostic factors of the condition. ⋯ The removal of the entire osseous compartment either by en bloc or piecemeal method in combination with the long-term use of bisphosphonate could significantly reduce the recurrence rate of GCT of the mobile spine. Age less than 40 years is a favorable prognostic factor for GCT in the mobile spine.
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Anecdotally, organizational factors appear to have an effect on the quality of decision-making in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. We assess the effect of the number of team-members present, number and order of cases, and the timing of meetings on the process of decision-making in MDT meetings. ⋯ Organizational factors related to the structure of the MDT meeting are associated with variation in the likelihood of reaching a treatment decision. Further research is required to establish causation and to modify such factors in order to improve the quality of cancer care.