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