Acute Medical Consultant Led Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) service set up in a busy tertiary NHS Trust

Abstract

In 2021 an acute medicine consultant was recruited at King's College Hospital to work with AO CNSs and an administrator to provide a weekly MUO clinic and patient tracking. The aims: * Avoid admission of patients with an Eastern European Oncology Group performance status <3 and radiological findings of MUO during their acute presentation to hospital or on incidental radiological findings during radiology reporting. Referrals from specialist clinics and cancer diagnostic teams were also included. * Avoid duplication of referrals, investigations and MDT reviews through an electronic MUO referral pathway for ambulatory patients. * Implement national cancer diagnostic standards to triage, clinic review and tracking process till handover of care to appropriate cancer or non‐cancer teams. * Establish links with radiology, cancer MDTs and Palliative care to achieve diagnosis. * Initial work in a 6‐month pilot would focus on setting up processes for rapid triage, review of referrals, communication and collaborative working with MDTs and supportive services.