Multidisciplinary Approach to The Organization of Cancer Care

Background: A multidisciplinary approach is an important component of high-quality cancer care, enabling collaborative decision-making on diagnostic and treatment strategies in accordance with clinical protocols and recommendations of international oncology societies. In accordance with the national Standard for the Organization of Cancer Care in the Republic of Kazakhstan, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) covering the main areas of oncology have been established at the State Enterprise on the Right of Economic Management “Multidisciplinary Medical Center” of the Akimat of Astana.
Objective: To evaluate the organization of multidisciplinary team activities and their role in collaborative clinical decision-making in cancer care.
Materials and Methods: Six specialized MDTs were established: thoracic surgery, abdominal surgery, head and neck oncology, gynecologic oncology, urologic oncology, and medical oncology, along with a chemotherapy council. MDT meetings review newly diagnosed patients with histologically verified malignancies, patients with diagnostic challenges, recurrent or progressive disease, treatment-related complications or contraindications, and cases requiring modification of the treatment strategy. Decisions are made collaboratively based on medical records, diagnostic findings, clinical protocols, and recommendations of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). MDT protocols are continuously monitored for compliance with established requirements.
Results: In 2025, a total of 4,142 patient cases were reviewed at MDT meetings. The MDT process included collaborative selection of diagnostic and treatment strategies, determination of further patient management, assessment of the need to modify previously prescribed treatment, referral for specialized and highly specialized medical care, and evaluation of indications for targeted therapy. MDT decisions were documented in meeting protocols and incorporated into patients’ medical records. The established MDT process ensured systematic multidisciplinary review of clinical cases and continuous monitoring of clinical decisions.
Conclusions: The implementation of specialized multidisciplinary teams provides a structured framework for collaborative decision-making in cancer care and promotes a consistent approach to diagnostic and treatment strategies. Regular monitoring of MDT protocols supports compliance with established requirements. Further assessment using quantitative indicators of adherence to MDT recommendations, treatment modifications, and patient outcomes is warranted to objectively evaluate the impact of MDTs on the quality and outcomes of cancer care.

Multidisciplinary Team Oncology Clinical Decision-Making Healthcare Management Quality of Care Monitoring

Kozgambayeva LT, Masimov AB, Akiltayeva BS, Saparbayeva ZS. Multidisciplinary Approach to The Organization of Cancer Care. Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology. 2026;2(3, Suppl. 1):onmt_A28. https://doi.org/10.63946/onmt/19308