Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Every person with a suspected or confirmed cancer is cared for by a team of healthcare professionals known as the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

All MDTs include:

• Cancer nurse specialists  – who provide expertise in supporting patients and carers through the provision of information, guiding through tests, managing symptoms and are point of contact for patients
• Physicians - who have an expertise in the diagnosis and medical intervention of specific diseases
• Radiologists – who specialise in the interpretation and recommendation of scans      and may also take biopsies
• Pathologists –who examine the tissue and cells removed during a biopsy or surgery
• Surgeons - who perform operations
• Oncologists – who specialises in anti-cancer treatment including chemotherapy and      radiotherapy
• Research Nurses – who can discuss the option of taking part in clinical trials

Some MDTs also include:

• Dieticians
• Physiotherapists
• Speech & Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Radiographers

There are other healthcare professionals who may be involved in your care and include:

• your GP
• Palliative care team
• District nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Social Worker
• Clinical Psychologist