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This video is a lecture at World Laparoscopy Hospital on The importance of multidisciplinary care in rectal cancer management by Prof. Steven D. Wexner; M.D., Ph.D. (Hon), FACS, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Ed), FRCS I (Hon), Hon FRCS (Glasg). In many countries, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are now widely accepted as a standard of quality control and a model for various approaches to cancer care. Evidence has shown that MDTs can improve clinical decision-making as well as the outcomes and experiences of patients with various cancers. Adopting MDTs for treating patients with colorectal cancer has considerably influenced current medical practice. Most of the decisions made by MDTs are implemented, and preoperative evaluation can be achieved more completely with more accurate preoperative staging. Patients who receive care under the guidance of MDTs have higher rates of access to multimodal therapies than do patients who do not. In addition, pathology reports are more likely to be of higher quality. In an MDT setting, adjuvant chemotherapies are prescribed in a more suitable manner and overall survival is improved. An MDT can determine whether patients with rectal cancer should first be treated surgically or receive neoadjuvant therapy. MDTs considerably influence decisions regarding the choice of staging modality and neoadjuvant treatment. However, results regarding the reduced rate of positive circumferential resection margins and more favorable overall survival are controversial. In conclusion, most of the influence of MDTs on current treatment for colorectal cancer is positive; therefore, establishing MDTs should be encouraged to enhance the quality of colorectal cancer care.

Multidisciplinary care is an approach to medical treatment that involves a team of healthcare professionals from different specialties working together to develop and implement an integrated treatment plan for a patient. This approach is particularly important in the management of rectal cancer because it is a complex disease that can affect multiple systems in the body.

Here are some key reasons why multidisciplinary care is essential in the management of rectal cancer:

Comprehensive evaluation: Multidisciplinary teams can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the patient's condition. This includes a thorough assessment of the tumor location, size, and stage, as well as an evaluation of the patient's overall health status and comorbidities. This comprehensive evaluation helps to guide treatment decisions and ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate care.

Coordination of care: A multidisciplinary team can help to coordinate the various aspects of a patient's care, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and supportive care. This can help to ensure that the patient receives timely and appropriate treatment and that there are no gaps in care.

Individualized treatment plans: Multidisciplinary teams can work together to develop individualized treatment plans that take into account the patient's unique needs and preferences. This can help to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

Improved communication: Multidisciplinary teams can help to improve communication between healthcare providers, which can lead to better coordination of care and improved patient outcomes. This can also help to ensure that patients receive the most up-to-date and evidence-based treatments.

Quality of life: Rectal cancer treatment can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Multidisciplinary teams can work together to develop supportive care plans that help to manage symptoms and side effects, and improve the patient's quality of life during and after treatment.

In summary, multidisciplinary care is essential in the management of rectal cancer. It helps to ensure that patients receive comprehensive evaluation, coordinated care, individualized treatment plans, improved communication between healthcare providers, and supportive care that can improve their quality of life.