Visual Analytics to Support Treatment Decisions in Late-Stage Melanoma Patients

Abstract

We present a visual analytics system to support treatment decisions in late-stage Melanoma patients. With the aim of improving patient outcomes, personalized treatment decisions based on individual characteristics and medical histories are crucial. The research focuses on the design and development of a visual analytics system tailored specifically for tumor boards, where multidisciplinary teams collaborate to make informed decisions. By leveraging a comprehensive database containing treatment and tumor stage progression information from over 1100 patients, the system provides healthcare professionals with a holistic overview and facilitates the analysis of individual cases as well as comparisons between multiple patients. The distinction between tumor board preparation systems and systems used during discussions is emphasized to ensure user-centric design and usability. Through the use of visual analytics techniques, complex relationships between treatment outcomes, temporal features, and patient-specific factors are explored, enabling clinicians to identify patterns and trends that may impact treatment decisions. The findings of this research contribute to the growing field of visual analytics in healthcare and have the potential to enhance treatment decision-making and patient care in late-stage cancer scenarios.