Fact Sheet 14

Who's who in cancer treatment general information

When you're diagnosed with cancer, your treatment plan will be discussed by a team of experts to decide what's best for you, called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Multidisciplinary team (MDT)

Your MDT will usually meet every week to discuss the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients, and will:

• Talk about your planned treatment
• Decide if you need any more tests
• Make referrals to other services if needed

The MDT usually involves staff from different hospitals and has a number of members, but other specialists may join the team if they‘re needed.

A typical MDT may include:

• Lead Clinician (usually a medical doctor or surgeon) - this person will take responsibility for the service.
• Surgeon - an expert in the type of operations that may be needed to treat your cancer.
• Oncologist - an expert in the treatment of your type of cancer with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
• Radiologist - this person will be responsible for undertaking and reporting on your tests in the x-ray department.
• Pathologist - they will look at tissue and cell samples through a microscope.
• Clinical nurse specialist - this person has expert knowledge and skills caring for patients with your type of cancer.
• Radiographer - the person responsible for planning, delivering and monitoring radiotherapy treatment if needed.
• Nurses who are specially trained.
• Support staff including social workers, welfare benefits advisors, hospital chaplaincy.
• Other staff known as allied healthcare professionals, including dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists

Your clinical nurse specialist is your link with the MDT. If something is bothering you, then ask, and if they’re unable to answer any concerns you may have, they will find out for you.

Your GP will also be kept up to date with what is happening to you by letter from your consultant.

Staff are there to make sure that each patient gets the same, high standard of care and has the most appropriate tests and treatment for their type of cancer. The team will keep up to date with changes and improvements in their area of expertise, this means all patients should get the best possible care, regardless of their GP or hospital they attend.

Source: BBC 2009

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this leaflet is accurate, not every treatment will be suitable or effective for every person. All content within Pure and Gentle SkinCare is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Pure and Gentle SkinCare is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of Pure and Gentle SkinCare website or advisers.  Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health as he or she will be able to advise in greater detail.