Tumor Board | MaineHealth Cancer Care

What is a tumor board? 

Through the MaineHealth Multidisciplinary Oncology Tumor Board, patients benefit from coordinated, team-based cancer care. The MaineHealth Cancer Care Network brings together a variety of specialists—including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and supportive care providers—who meet regularly to review individual cancer cases.

Each patient’s diagnosis, test results, and individual needs are carefully evaluated from multiple clinical perspectives. Through this collaborative discussion, the team develops personalized, evidence-based treatment recommendations designed to provide the most effective and comprehensive care.

This multidisciplinary process helps ensure consistency in decision-making, strengthens communication among providers, and supports the best possible outcomes for patients throughout their cancer journey.

MaineHealth tumor board types

Tumor boards come in several forms, each designed to address different aspects of cancer care:

• Site-specific tumor boards: These focus on a single type of cancer, such as breast, brain, lung or colorectal. The specialists involved have deep expertise in that particular area, enabling more detailed discussions of advanced treatments and tailored care strategies. For instance, a breast cancer board may include breast surgeons, reconstructive plastic surgeons and oncologists dedicated specifically to breast cancer.
• Molecular tumor boards: A more recent development, these boards concentrate on the genetic and molecular characteristics of cancer. By reviewing genomic testing results, they identify mutations or biomarkers that can guide targeted therapies or clinical trial options. They are especially useful for patients with rare cancers or for those who have not responded to standard treatments, as they can reveal treatment possibilities not evident through traditional approaches.