Decisions in the Multidisciplinary Team: Influence of Disease-, Treatment- and Patient-Related Factors

Due to demographic changes with ageing of the population, the occurrence of comorbidity, disability and organ-specific physiological changes among colorectal cancer patients is increasing. Furthermore, there is a continuous increase in optional treatment modalities. As a fundamental part of the multidisciplinary treatment in colorectal cancer, differentiated treatment guidelines and decision-making on treatment strategy in multidisciplinary teams have evolved. The selection of treatment strategy has primarily been based on an accurate staging of the disease by means of achieving a precise cTNM stage prior to treatment. In order to be able to decide on treatment strategy in a specific patient, awareness of the impact of disease-, treatment- and patient-related factors is essential. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient, and on the patient’s preference, an optimal, individualised treatment strategy for the specific patient can be achieved.