The multi-disciplinary team
What is the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)?
The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) is a group of members of staff
with specialist training and experience diagnosing and managing
cancer. The idea behind an MDT meeting is to make sure that all the
right experts meet together to decide the best treatment for
patients with cancer. It also helps streamline decisions and
improve continuity of care, with everyone being informed of the
overall picture and being included in decision-making.
Members of the cancer MDT
The membership of the MDT will depend upon the type of cancer.
In oesophago-gastric cancer, our MDT has the following members:
- Surgeons - specialists in surgical removal of cancer
- Oncologists - specialists in cancer care who oversee treatment
with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
- Histopathologists - specialists in examining tissues and cells
under a microscope
- Radiologists - specialists in examining scans and x-rays
- Palliative care - specialists in symptom management and quality
of life when cancer cannot be cured
- Cancer clinical specialist nurses (CNS) - keyworkers for
individual patients
- MDT co-ordinator - organises the meetings and maintains
records
MDT meetings
The MDT usually meets every week to discuss individual patients,
their test results and treatment plans. The MDT may discuss
patients at several points in their cancer pathway, such as:
- After having a biopsy
- After having a test (e.g. a CT scan)
- After completing a course of treatment
- If new symptoms develop
MDT decisions
Once the MDT agrees the treatment plan, an appointment is made
for you to discuss this plan. In some instances, the diagnosis can
change after additional tests have been performed.
If you need to access a member of the MDT to discuss your
treatment, or if you require further information about any aspect
of your diagnosis or care, you should contact your Cancer Clinical
Nurse Specialist.
