The basis and connotation of multidisciplinary holistic treatment strategy for tumors Yuehua Wang, Jie Li, and Zhen Wang Abstract: To analyze the basis and connotation of multidisciplinary holistic treatment (MDHT) strategy for tumors with the view of holistic medicine, in order to guide the design and implementation of clinical multidisciplinary treatment for tumors. Methods: The concept of holistic medicine in Chinese medicine, Western medicine and combined Chinese and Western medicine is different, but the complete meaning of holistic medicine formed by the “mutual integration and unification” of these three medical sciences will be the characteristic of the new modern medicine in the 21st century, and its fundamental purpose is to maintain the best interests of patients. The holistic treatment based on the concept of holistic medicine is the ultimate goal of multidisciplinary integrated treatment of tumor, and is the basis for analyzing the overall treatment strategy of tumor. In this paper, we take the clinical thinking of MDHT for liver cancer as an example and focus on analyzing the core elements that are guiding for the overall treatment decision of malignant tumors. Results: The core connotation of MDHT strategy for tumors is the patient-centered holistic unification of the three major medical sciences in disease diagnostic understanding (treatment goals), disease-centered multidisciplinary integration in treatment selection (treatment methods), and technology-centered coordination in the process of diagnosis and treatment practice (treatment course). The objectives of holistic tumor treatment include six basic objectives, such as local lesions, regional lesions, systemic lesions, organ-based diseases, systemic internal environment and rehabilitation; the design of tumor MDHT program should follow six basic principles, such as systematic, comprehensive, economic, standardized, individualized and dynamic. In the implementation of holistic treatment, Western medicine should be the mainstay, Chinese medicine should be the auxiliary, and the combination of Chinese and Western medicine should be the synergy, and the three medical approaches should be organically combined into one. Conclusion: MDHT strategy is based on a holistic medical view, and the connotation about diagnosis, treatment and implementation process is a synthesis and development of the existing principles, norms and guidelines of multidisciplinary treatment of tumors, which has a positive guiding effect on clinical decision-making of MDHT of tumors. Keywords: multidisciplinary treatment; holistic medicine; treatment strategy; tumor Fundamental projects: National Natural Science Foundation of China funded project (30772122); Beijing Health System High-level Health Technology Talent Training Project (2009-3-65). Author Affiliations：100053 Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University (Yuehua Wang); 100053 Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Jie Li); 100039 Beijing Qianshulian Technology Co. Correspondence should be addressed to YUEHUA WANG, Tel: 13301371938, Email: [email protected]