|
A tale of two pathologies: Multidisciplinary team approach to a second pathology synchronous to gastrointestinal tumors
MN Saravanan1, V Vaithiswaran1, Ashwathy Susan Mathew2, Sumati Sundaraiya3, Abubacker Sulaiman4, Adhithyan Rajendran4, Sushama Patil5, Srinivas Chilukuri2, Sapna Nangia2, T Raja6
1 Department of Gastrointestinal Oncosurgery, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Radiation Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
3 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
4 Department of Radiology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
5 Department of Pathology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
6 Department of Medical Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
M N Saravanan
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, 4/661, Dr. Vikram Sarabai Instronic Estate, 7th Street, Taramani Road, Chennai - 600 041, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/ghep.ghep_23_21
|
|
Background: In workup for a tumor in an individual, a second pathology is discovered at times, which can complicate further management. Cross-sectional imaging is widely utilized in gastrointestinal tumors leading to identification of incidentalomas, and we audited our multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting data in order to analyze the implications and refine the approach in the presence of dual pathology. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective assessment of a prospectively maintained single institute gastrointestinal tumor board MDT database between June 2019 and June 2020. Results: Of the 76 patients discussed in the gastrointestinal MDT, 21 patients associated with clinically relevant second pathology were included in the study group. Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) was the most common modality responsible for detection of the second pathology. Additional workup to better characterize these findings was needed in 10 (47.6%) patients. Eleven patients had dual neoplasms, of which four accounted for dual malignant neoplasms. MDT resulted in a change in plan in 6 (28.6%) patients, which was mainly related to radiology review, thereby downstaging to the correct stage. Conclusions: PET-CT increases detection of a second pathology in gastrointestinal tumors. Appropriate review of radiology, supplementing with additional imaging and/or biopsy, and wait and reassess in selected situations in an MDT is pivotal in management of a double pathology.
|
