Multidisciplinary team meetings and their impact on survival in rectal cancer. Population-based analysis in Catalonia (Spain)

Background: Multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) are considered a pillar of cancer care; however, evidence of the independent benefit of MTMs on survival in rectal cancer is controversial. Methods: This population-based cohort analysis included patients undergoing surgery for primary rectal cancer with curative intent. We drew data derived from three clinical audits conducted in Catalonia from 2011 to 2020. The primary outcome was 2-year survival. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to assess the hazard ratio for death in patients whose cases were versus were not discussed in a preoperative MTM. Results: A total of 5249 patients were included (66.1 % male, 58.3 % aged 60-79 years, 63.2 % receiving anterior resection): 4096 cases were discussed in a preoperative MTM, and 1153 were not. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the MTM group had better survival than those with no preoperative MTM (hazard ratio 1.22, 95 % confidence interval 1.02-1.48), after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: Preoperative MTM may be associated with improved survival in patients with rectal cancer in Catalonia. Efforts to ensure universal access to MTMs for all newly diagnosed patients should be supported.