biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Falchetto LMMDeutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)<h4>Background</h4>While the line of therapy (LOT) concept is crucial for clinical decision-making in oncology, the concept lacks a consensual understanding bearing the risk of miscommunication. This study examines physicians' understanding of LOT, its perceived relevance, and the events and actions that determine a change of LOT within German oncological networks.<h4>Methods</h4>Employing a snowball sampling approach, an anonymous online-administered survey was conducted among German physicians with oncological experience. Descriptive statistics and consensus metrics (Gini Mean Difference [GMD] and normalized entropy) were used to summarize the survey results and the relative agreement among the respondents, respectively.<h4>Results</h4>Sixty physicians completed the survey. The majority BMC cancer1439https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12482237biostudies-literatureReviewing the lines of therapy-concept in cancer treatment: a survey study among physicians.PMC12482237Bender BSchnorr IFalchetto LMMAndreas SErhard IBerger-Thurmel KMaier DVehreschild JJSchumann LLIfalseReviewing the lines of therapy-concept in cancer treatment: a survey study among physicians.<h4>Background</h4>While the line of therapy (LOT) concept is crucial for clinical decision-making in oncology, the concept lacks a consensual understanding bearing the risk of miscommunication. This study examines physicians' understanding of LOT, its perceived relevance, and the events and actions that determine a change of LOT within German oncological networks.<h4>Methods</h4>Employing a snowball sampling approach, an anonymous online-administered survey was conducted among German physicians with oncological experience. Descriptive statistics and consensus metrics (Gini Mean Difference [GMD] and normalized entropy) were used to summarize the survey results and the relative agreement among the respondents, respectively.<h4>Results</h4>Sixty physicians completed the survey. The majority 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T23:00:13.379Z2026-05-02T03:12:04.797ZS-EPMC124822374102395610.1186/s12885-025-14940-0