# Leading the fight against liver cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: developing the first multidisciplinary liver tumour board in Tanzania

## TL;DR

This paper describes the creation of the first multidisciplinary liver tumor board in Tanzania to improve liver cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa.

## Contribution

The study introduces the first multidisciplinary liver tumor board in Tanzania to enhance liver cancer treatment in the region.

## Key findings

- A multidisciplinary liver tumor board was established at Muhimbili National Hospital in 2023.
- The board meets weekly to discuss patient cases and provide consensus-based treatment recommendations.
- The model aims to improve care quality and promote advanced treatment options for liver cancer patients.

## Abstract

Multidisciplinary tumour boards (MTBs) are regular meetings of various specialist physicians and healthcare professionals who reach a consensus on diagnostic or therapeutic next steps in a cancer patient's care. They have been used for cancer care worldwide. The benefits of these MTBs are well established in the treatment of cancer, leading to higher rates of care completion and improved overall survival. The authors of this study set out to launch an MTB specifically for liver cancer in Tanzania.

In 2023, a multidisciplinary liver tumour board (MLTB) was established at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. This was designed to promote maximum engagement among medical specialties and international collaborators.

MLTB meetings were held weekly in-person and virtually, where members submit patient cases for review of clinical presentation, imaging, pathology and presumed diagnosis to allow discussion of next steps in diagnosis or treatment. A consensus recommendation is then communicated to the involved departments and the presenting physician proceeds with scheduling the patient for completion of the recommendations.

This MLTB model aims to facilitate a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment strategy for patients diagnosed with liver cancer. MLTBs are expected to enhance the quality of care provided to patients and promote the utilisation of advanced therapeutic options available in these nations.