MDT Cancer Designs Cancer Treatment Methods with the Patient at the Center
Eliminating feelings of anxiety or stress is probably difficult for cancer patients due to the stories of side effects from previous treatments they have heard. However, these stories are about to change with a new cancer treatment sequencing process designed specifically and appropriately for individual cancer patients. A team of doctors and multidisciplinary cancer specialists, called the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT Cancer), will integrate cancer treatment planning that places the patient at the center of care, focusing on the patient’s needs while considering the effectiveness the patient should receive from the treatment as follows:
- Enhance treatment effectiveness that best meets the needs of each patient
- Reduce side effects from treatment and avoid unnecessary side effects
- Minimize losses both emotionally and physically
Every step of the treatment involves diagnosis and determination of the appropriate cancer treatment method by a panel of cancer specialists from over 13 fields, such as surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, cancer mechanism specialists, pathologists, medical geneticists, nutrition specialists, and psychologists, as well as other contributors involved in patient treatment planning within the correct timeframe. Even if patients have the same type or stage of cancer, it does not mean they will always receive the same treatment.
Having Cancer, Who Says You Have to Be Treated the Same Way?
Because one key cannot open every door in a house, similarly, cancer treatment, despite significant advances, does not mean every patient must undergo the same treatment process. This is due to differences in treatment response and the causes of cancer in each patient, such as:
- The true cause of cancer, such as genetic mutations within cells causing abnormal gene expression, immune system defects, etc.
- The characteristics of the existing cancer, such as tumor size, tumor location, disease stage, and spread
- The health readiness of each patient
Once doctors confirm the presence of a tumor, the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT Cancer) cancer treatment planning process begins. A panel of cancer specialists from over 13 fields will meet and analyze results together to find the most appropriate treatment method, selecting only the necessary treatments for the patient. They will also predict the disease course and possible side effects from the chosen treatment, allowing doctors to avoid side effects from the start. Therefore, MDT Cancer treatment is not a reactive treatment but aims to bring patients “closer to the chance of cure” under the most effective treatment.
Systematic Treatment Planning Helps Increase the Chance of Cancer Cure!
Dr. Vikrom Jennetisin, Head of the Great Life Center and Medical Oncology and Chemotherapy at Phyathai 1 Hospital, has interestingly commented on current cancer patient treatment:
“Cancer treatment today has advanced significantly, especially for terminal cancer patients, with efforts to bring patients closer to the chance of cure by managing cancer treatment from the beginning. Besides the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT Cancer) treatment planning process, there is also a technique to detect cancer mechanisms to select precise and targeted treatment approaches called Precision Medicine. This allows for more accurate treatment planning, reducing errors or side effects effectively, and also slowing disease progression very well.”
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT Cancer) cancer treatment is regarded as a hope for cancer patients and is widely accepted in large cancer treatment institutions in Europe and America today (world-class standard). Due to improved survival rates, we can be confident that integrating MDT Cancer treatment methods is an important capability indicating progress in cancer treatment now and in the future.
