Association between multidisciplinary team care approach and survival rates in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate whether multidisciplinary team care (MDTC) is associated with outcomes in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods We retrospectively examined 1616 patients with oral cavity SCC who underwent radical surgery between 1996 and 2011. The study participants were classified into 2 subgroups according to the use of MDTC. Results Five-year outcomes were significantly better in the MDTC group than in the no-MDTC group (neck control, 88% vs 84%, p =.0397; disease-specific survival [DSS], 83% vs 78%, p =.0114; and overall survival [OS], 70% vs 64%, p =.0002, respectively). Among patients who were scheduled to undergo adjuvant therapy, the number who completed their adjuvant treatment was significantly higher in the MDTC group than in the no-MDTC group (90% vs 60% to 70%, p <.001). Conclusion The association of MDTC with improved outcomes may be potentially explained by a better therapeutic alliance between the patient and the tumor board, and/or a greater thoroughness in clinical management.