Zulfiquer Otty

Zulfiquer Otty

Medical Oncologist

Townsville University Hospital

Australia, Townsville

Present Title & Affiliation

  • Senior Medical Oncologist, Townsville University Hospital – Townsville Cancer Centre (Qld Health), Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  • Senior Medical Oncologist, ICON Cancer Centre, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  • Senior Lecturer in Medicine (Oncology), James Cook University College of Medicine and Dentistry, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  • Clinical Lead, Thoracic Cancers and Chair, Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), Townsville Cancer Centre
  • Member, Head & Neck, Skin, Colorectal, and Breast Cancer MDTs, Townsville University Hospital
Years (Completion)Degree / QualificationInstitutionField of Study / Notes

Education & Training

1994 (April)

MBBS (Medical Degree)University of CalicutMedicine
2006 (June)2006 (June)Royal College of Physicians, UKGeneral Medicine
2012 (January)FRACP (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians)Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Australia)Medical Oncology
2025 (August – expected)PhD in Health Service Research – Lung CancerPhD in Health Service Research – Lung CancerImplementation and Evaluation of Lung Cancer Referral Pathways in Townsville Health Service

Professional Experience
2012 – PresentSenior Medical Oncologist (Thoracic Cancers Clinical Lead & MDT Chair)Townsville Cancer Centre, Townsville University HospitalFull-time clinician; outpatient and inpatient oncology care; Chair of Lung Cancer MDT (covering Townsville and Mackay Health Services); Lead for Telehealth Integration
Full-time clinician; outpatient and inpatient oncology care; Chair of Lung Cancer MDT (covering Townsville and Mackay Health Services); Lead for Telehealth IntegrationSenior Medical OncologistICON Cancer CentrePrivate oncology practice with clinical trial involvement
2012 – PresentSenior LecturerJames Cook University – College of Medicine and DentistryTeaching and mentoring medical students and oncology trainees
Prior to 2012Basic Physician Training and Advanced Medical Oncology TrainingTownsville University Hospital / Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansCompleted FRACP requirements; clinical supervisor for trainees

Clinical Leadership & Service

2012 – Present

Clinical LeadThoracic Cancer Program (Townsville Cancer Centre)Introduced telehealth and electronic referral systems; expanded MDT coverage to regional Queensland
2012 – PresentMemberHead & Neck, Skin, Colorectal and Breast Cancer MDTsRegular multidisciplinary collaboration and protocol development
2012 – PresentClinical SupervisorTownsville University Hospital and James Cook UniversitySupervision of basic and advanced physician trainees in Medical Oncology

Research & Scientific Contributions
Health Service Research – Lung CancerImplementation and evaluation of lung cancer referral pathways in Townsville Health Service (PhD project)James Cook University / Townsville Hospital2018 – 2025
Rural & Remote Cancer Care IntegrationDeveloping integrated governance between primary and tertiary care to improve cancer outcomes for regional and First Nations patientsTownsville Health ServiceOngoing
Telehealth Implementation ResearchEvaluating teleoncology models in North QueenslandTownsville Cancer CentreOngoing
Lung Cancer Screening TrialsAssociate Investigator – Australian Lung Cancer Screening Trials (ALST) with Prof. FongNHMRCActive
Systematic Review – Lung Cancer Screening GuidelinesChapters on hard-to-reach populations and low-dose CT reportingTSANZ CPG Working Group2023 – Present
Clinical Trials ParticipationPrincipal Investigator / Sub-investigator in lung and solid tumour studiesTownsville Cancer Centre – Research UnitOngoing (Phase II & III)

Professional Committee & Advisory Roles
OngoingScientific Committee MemberThoracic Oncology Group of Australia (TOGA)Promoting clinical trials in Australia & New Zealand
OngoingCommittee MemberClinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) – Rural & Remote CommitteeAdvocacy for rural cancer care
OngoingMemberLung Cancer Policy Network (LCPN) / IASLC ProjectsPolicy development for optimal care pathways & diagnosis innovation
OngoingWorking Group MemberCancer Australia – Rural & Remote Optimal Care Pathway (ECORRA, Deakin University)Creation of Optimal Care Pathway for Rural and Remote Peoples in Australia
OngoingMemberVictorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance – Regional Education ProgrammeEducational outreach and regional training

Memberships & Professional Societies
Thoracic Oncology Group of Australia (TOGA)Active Member – Scientific Committee
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)Member
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)Member
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)Member

Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA)

Member
Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA)Member
Australian Medical Association (AMA)Member
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)Fellow (FRACP)

Honors & Research Identifiers
ORCID ID0000-0002-2970-0268Active record for publications & clinical research
RecognitionChairperson – Lung Cancer MDT TownsvilleLeadership in MDT integration and telehealth delivery

Publications

1. Otty Z, et al. Optimal Care Pathways for People with Lung Cancer – A Scoping Review of the Literature.International Journal of Integrated Care. 2020; 20(3):14, 1–9. doi:10.5334/ijic.5438.

2. Otty Z, Larkins S, Evans R, Brown A, Sabesan S. Clinicians’ Experiences and Perspectives about a New Lung Cancer Referral Pathway in a Regional Health Service. International Journal of Integrated Care. 2024; 24(2):3, 1–11. doi:10.5334/ijic.7627.

3. Otty Z, Brown A, Larkins S, Evans R, Sabesan S. Patients’ and Their Carers’ Experiences of Lung Cancer Referral Pathway within a Regional Health Service: A Qualitative Study. Internal Medicine Journal. 2023 Jan 29. doi:10.1111/imj.16022.

4. Otty Z, et al. Improving Timeliness of Care for Regional Lung Cancer Patients through Implementation of a Web-Based Lung Cancer Referral Pathway. Internal Medicine Journal. 2025. doi:10.1111/imj.70138.

5. Otty Z, et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of Weekly Low-Dose Cisplatin Concurrent with Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2011 Sep;7(3):287–292. doi:10.1111/j.1743-7563.2011.01405.x.

6. Otty Z, Sabesan S. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma While on Treatment with Temozolomide. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2012.

Co-Authorship

7. Rischin D, … Otty Z, et al. Adjuvant Cemiplimab or Placebo in High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Jun. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2502449.

8. Sabesan S, … Otty Z, et al. Enhancing Chemotherapy Capabilities in Rural Hospitals: Implementation of a Telechemotherapy Model (QReCS) in North Queensland, Australia. Journal of Oncology Practice. 2018 Jul;14(7):e429–e437.

9. Verma R, … Otty ZA, et al. Delays in Lung Cancer Management Pathways between Rural and Urban Patients in North Queensland: A Mixed Methods Study. Internal Medicine Journal. 2018;48:1228–1233.

10. Tan JY, … Otty ZA, et al. A Prospective Comparison of Times to Presentation and Treatment of Regional and Remote Head and Neck Patients in North Queensland, Australia. Internal Medicine Journal. 2016 Aug;46(8):917–924. doi:10.1111/imj.13138. PMID:27246246.

11. Kang S, … Otty Z, et al. Providing Early Access to Geriatric Oncology Services in a Regional Cancer Centre – A Two-Year Experience in the Establishment of a Geriatric Oncology Nurse Navigator Model. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. 2024 Oct. doi:10.1016/j.jgo.2024.102145.

12. Fitzpatrick L, Otty Z. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Pathway Assessment in a Regional Cancer Centre. Internal Medicine Journal. 2024 Nov. doi:10.1111/imj.16560.

13. Field K, Otty Z, et al. Patterns of Care According to Treatment Intent for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 8:51–52.

14. Bajaj P, … Otty Z, et al. Palliative Care Referrals and Time Period between Last Chemotherapy and Death in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013.

15. Sabesan S, … Otty Z, et al. Attitudes and Knowledge of Randomised Cancer Clinical Trials and Barriers to Participation among Rural and Remote Patients – A Pilot Study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology.2011;7(1):27–33.

Conference Presentations

  1. World Congress on Lung Cancer, 2025 — Using COM-B Behavioral Change Framework to Implement Lung Cancer Referral Pathway for Primary Care Physicians.
  2. European Lung Cancer Congress, 2024 — Improving Timeliness of Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Patients through Implementation of a Web-Based Lung Cancer Referral Pathway.
    Published in: ESMO Open, 2024; 9:102757.
  3. TOGA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), 2025 — Lung Cancer MDT in a Regional Setting.
  4. Brisbane Cancer Conference, 2024 — Lung Cancer Screening in First Nations Australians and Updates in Lung Cancer Management.
  5. ASCO Annual Meeting, 2025.
  6. Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Conference, 2021.
  7. ASCO 2014: A Prospective Comparison of Times to Presentation and Treatment of Rural and Urban Head and Neck Cancer Patients in North Queensland.
  8. Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society (ANZHNCS) Annual Meeting, 2016 — Invited Speaker.
  9. Australasian Lung Cancer Conference (ALCC), 2018.

Grants

  • SERTA Fellowship Grant — Townsville University Hospital Research Committee, 2023–2024.
    Amount: AUD $100,000.00