UKAOS Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) subgroup
Our lead is Alison Taylor our UKAOS board member with a special interest in MUO. If you wish to be involved then please contact us via this link.
Aim of Subgroup -The Malignancy of unknown origin (MUO) sub group will focus on the diagnosis and pathways for the diagnosis of MUO. The broad aims of the UKAOS Subgroups are: • Knowledge creation and sharing to develop practice and improve the quality of learning and teaching – action- finding, collating, organising, and distributing knowledge to Subgroup members and the wider health care community. • Developing, validating, and disseminating best practice. • Problem solving, bringing together expertise to focus on solving a common problem, thus providing benefits to members and the wider health care community. • Innovation-review and highlight and disseminate new and emerging areas of knowledge. Identify opportunities for innovation and research. |
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Community
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Membership and structure Membership This group is managed by a committee drawn from members of UKAOS Chair - Alison Taylor Vice Chair – Dr Alia Alchawaf oncologist Officers (chair and vice chair) will serve a term of 2 years with the opportunity to be eligible to apply for one further 2-year term. New officers will be elected from the wider group membership.
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Membership:The group will have representation from AO nurses and oncologists/NSS/ ED / MAU / from the 4 nations. Membership is open to clinical and lay members with an interest in MUO Meetings:The community of all subgroup member will meet 3 monthly via TEAMS (with the aim to meet one month before the UKAOS board meetings) as a minimum. Smaller groups of core members/officers will meet more frequently to work on project work and short task and finish group work as per the work plan. Minutes of the MUO subgroup meetings and action log are shared on this webpage below. Current working group - MUO guidelines group looking a key principles of diagnosis, management and support for people with MUO. This group are also developing KPIs and patient information. If you would like to join the group who are meeting fortnightly please email ukaos@media1productions.co.uk the group is being lead by Federico Cocciolo, Prof Jamie Coleman and Dr Laura Jones |
Decision making:The Subgroup will make decisions by consensus of a quorate of at least four members. In the event of a vote being necessary the decision will be reached by a simple majority of members present, in person or by telephone. In the event of a tie, the Chairs will have a casting vote. Group terms of reference and governance can be found at this link Reporting and communication:• The Subgroup will be accountable for all its actions. • The Subgroup will provide a verbal update (exception report) report to the UKAOS operational steering group every 3 months. The Subgroup chair or deputy will be co-opted to attend the board meeting. • The subgroup will provide a written annual report using a standardised template and aligned with the UKAOS AGM process.
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USEFUL DOCUMENTSBOAST orthopedic management guidance bone only metstastic disease
UPCOMING EDUCATION UK Oncology Forum - 11th and 12th of June 2026 Harrogate - Free to attend. MUO and CUP sessoin 2.30-5 pm on 11th of June and AO session 12th. For registration click here: UK Oncology Forum 2026-UK-Oncology-Forum_Draft-Programme.pdf
UKAOS learning hour - MUO spotlight 12th of August 12.15- 1.15pm.
MUO STANDARDS GUIDELINE TASK AND FINISH GROUP Meeting minutes
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Current projects: UKAOS MUO Emergency Presentation of Cancer -Report 2026The UKAOS MUO Subgroup’s national survey highlights significant variation in how patients with Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) are managed across the UK. Key findings include:
Final report - Board approval April 2026 and published June 2026 Working Group - MUO diagnosis standard of care document - completed June 2026 - awaiting board approval Following the MUO survery a working group has been establised to work on a UKAOS standard for care document for MUO. Standard of Care (SoC) for Malignancy of Undefined Origin (MUO) 1. Purpose and context The Standard of Care document outlines the minimum requirements for identifying, investigating, managing, and following up patients with Malignancy of Undefined Origin (MUO). It aims to ensure timely diagnosis, appropriate escalation, clear clinical ownership, and equitable access to specialist services. Recognising that there is existing guidance, this SoC has been constructed by a range of experts to provide best practice clinical guidance. It builds on existing national guidelines but incorporates the lived experience of those involved in managing these patients. The intent is to supplement rather than replace existing local or national documents. Once this document has been finalised and approved it will be added here. This group also hope to work on suite of resouces for teams working with MUO pathways this will include patient information, compentencies, MDT proformas and other useful documents.
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Meeting Minutes Action Log
if you have any questions, please email ukaos@media1productions.co.uk Alison Taylor Acute Oncology Nurse Consultant UKAOS MUO subgroup lead |
Follow this link to see Alison Taylor 's presentation on MUO and CUP practice for the SAM webinar series 2024 |
