Health condition
Tumour board reviews explained
A tumour board - the multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) - is where surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists jointly review each cancer case and agree recommendations; understanding how it works helps you engage with, and question, your own plan.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Every UK cancer diagnosis should be discussed at an MDT before definitive treatment
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Core members: surgeons, clinical and medical oncologists, radiologist, pathologist, specialist nurse
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The MDT recommends; the decision is then made with you in clinic
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You can ask what the MDT considered, whether opinions differed, and for re-discussion when new information arises
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Behind each treatment recommendation sits a meeting you never attend: your scans displayed and argued over by radiologists, your biopsy slides presented by a pathologist, surgical and oncological options weighed against your fitness and preferences as recorded by the team. This structure exists because no single specialist holds the whole picture, and for rare cancers the relevant MDT may be a regional or national one - sarcoma, skull base, peritoneal - to which your local team refers the case.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
The MDT’s output is advice, not a verdict; consent and choice happen with you afterwards, and its quality depends on inputs - which is why confirming that molecular tests, full staging and your own priorities were on the table is worthwhile. Reasonable requests include a summary of the discussion, re-review after new results or a change in your condition, and referral of the case to a specialist MDT when rarity warrants. Good teams welcome each of these. If you are waiting for results or want a second opinion on a proposed plan, a private consultation with a specialist who treats this condition regularly can usually be arranged quickly, and most will review your existing scans, biopsy reports and MDT correspondence.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant oncologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Tumour board reviews explained.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is a tumour board review?
It is a meeting of specialists from different disciplines, such as oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and pathologists, who come together to discuss a patient's cancer case and agree on the best treatment plan.
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Why are tumour board reviews used?
Cancer treatment often benefits from multiple perspectives; a tumour board ensures that imaging, pathology, and treatment options are considered together so recommendations reflect the latest evidence and combined specialist expertise.
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What happens during a tumour board review?
The patient's scans, pathology results and clinical history are presented and discussed by the multidisciplinary team, who then agree on a recommended treatment plan, which is then discussed with the patient by their own clinician.
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Is a tumour board review necessary for every cancer diagnosis?
Many cancer centres discuss most or all new cancer diagnoses at a tumour board, particularly for complex, rare or borderline cases, though straightforward cases with a clear standard treatment pathway may not always need full discussion.
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Will I attend the tumour board meeting myself?
No, patients don't typically attend; the meeting is for specialists to discuss the case, and the treating clinician will then explain the recommendations to you directly and discuss your preferences.
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How long does it take to get a tumour board recommendation?
This varies by centre, but many tumour boards meet weekly, so a recommendation is often available within about a week of your case being submitted, sometimes sooner for urgent cases.
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Tumour board vs seeing a single specialist - what's the difference?
A single specialist gives you their individual expert opinion, while a tumour board incorporates the combined views of several specialists across different disciplines, which can be particularly valuable for complex or borderline cases where treatment options aren't straightforward.
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Can I request a second opinion or tumour board review of my case?
Yes, patients can request that their case be discussed at a tumour board, or seek a second opinion from another specialist or centre, particularly for complex or uncertain diagnoses.
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Does having a tumour board review change my treatment options?
It can, as the combined input sometimes identifies additional treatment options, clinical trials, or refinements to the plan that might not have been considered by a single specialist alone.
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How can I access a tumour board review privately, and how quickly?
Private oncology centres often have their own multidisciplinary tumour boards and can arrange case discussion within about one to two weeks of your initial specialist consultation.