RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Video-Tumorboard PLUS

The 'Video-Tumorboard PLUS' study aims to improve how cancer patients, especially those with melanoma and other rare skin cancers, receive expert medical advice. Currently, doctors hold special meetings called 'tumor boards' to discuss individual patient cases and decide on the best treatment plans. This study wants to make these meetings available online (video tumor boards) so that more patients across the UK can benefit from the knowledge of many different specialists, even if they don't live near a big cancer center. By using video, the study hopes to ensure that expert opinions and new treatment ideas reach more people, helping them get the best care possible, regardless of their location.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital Muenster

Enrolment target

300

Start

01 May 2025

Estimated completion

31 May 2027

Malignant Melanoma Telemedicine

What is this study about?

When someone has cancer, a team of different doctors often gets together to talk about their case. These meetings are called 'tumor boards'. During these meetings, specialists like skin doctors, cancer doctors, and other experts discuss the patient's condition, test results, and decide on the best way forward for their treatment. This study, called 'Video-Tumorboard PLUS', wants to make these important meetings easier to access for more people, especially those with skin cancers like melanoma.

The main idea is to use video calls for these tumor board meetings. This means that instead of all doctors needing to be in the same room, they can join online from different places. By doing this, the study hopes to connect patients with a wider group of experts, offering them the chance to get opinions from many specialists who might not be available in their local hospital. This could be particularly helpful for people living in more rural areas or those with rare forms of skin cancer where specialist knowledge is vital.

Ultimately, this study aims to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live in the UK, can benefit from the best and most up-to-date advice for their skin cancer. It focuses on making healthcare more connected and using technology to gather experts quickly to plan tailored treatments for patients.

Key takeaways

Helps more skin cancer patients get expert advice from multiple specialists.
Uses online video meetings (video tumor boards) to connect doctors.
Focuses on melanoma and rare or complex skin cancers.
Aims to provide better treatment plans regardless of where you live.
Primarily for patients whose main care is not at a large cancer centre.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who are at least 18 years old and have certain types of skin cancer, particularly melanoma from a more advanced stage (Stage IIB onwards), or if their melanoma has come back or spread. It also includes people with less common skin cancers, or those with difficult-to-treat skin tumours that need several specialists to look at their case. Importantly, you would be considered if you are currently receiving your care, or part of your care, from a doctor outside of a major cancer centre, rather than starting all your treatment directly at a big centre.

You might be suitable if you have specific types of skin cancer that are complicated, such as those that are very large, in difficult places, or if you have a weakened immune system. It also includes anyone with a rare skin cancer like Merkel cell carcinoma or Kaposi's sarcoma, or if you've had severe side effects from your cancer medicine.

However, you won't be able to join if you have difficulty understanding or speaking the language, as this could make it hard to explain your condition or understand what's happening. Your doctor will need to decide if they think your case is suitable for discussion in this video meeting.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have advanced melanoma, or a rare/complex skin cancer?
Are you currently receiving your cancer care from a doctor outside a major cancer centre?
Can you understand and speak English well enough to discuss your condition?
Has your doctor suggested your case needs specialist input from a tumor board?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study primarily involves your doctor presenting your case in an online meeting, called a video tumor board, with other specialists. You won't typically attend these meetings yourself. Your doctor will discuss your medical history, diagnosis, and treatment with the other experts. The study aims to gather expert opinions to help guide your treatment plan. There's no specific medication involved from the study, nor are there extra clinic visits or direct assessments for you as the patient within the study itself. The total duration for your case to be discussed is limited to the time of the online meeting, but the advice given will help shape your ongoing treatment.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is that a larger team of specialists may review your case, potentially leading to a more thorough and tailored treatment plan based on a broader range of expert opinions. This could ensure you're getting the most up-to-date advice, regardless of where you live. There are no significant direct risks to you as a patient by participating in this study, as it mainly involves your medical information being discussed among doctors online. Your personal details will be kept confidential. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time, which means your doctor would no longer present your case in these specialized online meetings.

Locations (3)

Abteilung für Integrierte Onkologie - CIO Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Verified postcode
Bonn, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen Klinik u. Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Dresden
Verified postcode
Dresden, Germany· Recruiting
Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum Münster, Universitätsklinikum Münster
Verified postcode
Münster, Germany· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'tumor board'?

A tumor board is a meeting of different medical specialists (like skin doctors, cancer doctors, and surgeons) who discuss a patient's cancer case to decide on the best treatment plan.

Do I need to attend the video meeting?

No, you don't typically attend the video meetings. Your doctor will present your case and discuss it with the other specialists on your behalf.

Will my personal information be kept private?

Yes, all your medical and personal information shared among the doctors in the video meeting will be kept confidential according to strict privacy rules.

What kind of skin cancers are included?

The study focuses on melanoma that is more advanced or has spread, as well as several rare skin cancers and complex skin tumours that need specialist advice.

Can I still get treatment where I normally do?

Yes, if you're an 'external patient', it means you receive your main treatment from a local doctor or clinic, and this study aims to support that care with expert input.

How to find out more

Philipp Lenz, MD

philipp.lenz@ukmuenster.de +49 251 83 43745 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.