Patient Journey

The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

There are several specialties that meet to discuss your individual case. The following health professionals may be involved in the care of a patient with a particular cancer.

Surgeon: specialises in surgery, including biopsies
Pathologist: examines cells, tissue and blood from the body
Radiologist: examines mammograms, ultrasounds, X-rays and other imaging results and may perform biopsies or help locate cancers prior to surgery
Radiation oncologist: specialises in radiotherapy
Radiation therapist: assists in planning and giving radiotherapy
Medical oncologist: specialises in cancer drugs such as hormonal therapies, chemotherapy and targeted therapies
Oncology nurse: specialises in caring for people with cancer
Palliative care specialist, palliative care nurse: specialise in providing practical support and symptom relief

Surgeons

After your initial consultation or at any part of your journey, with your prior consent, Prof Samra will present your case to the multidisciplinary meeting as your surgeon. There will be other specialists present. Together they will agree on the best course for your surgical management and management of care.

Pathologists

The Pathologist who attends the MDT meeting is there to present the microscopic findings of any cytology or histology findings to assist in the planning of your definitive treatment.

Radiologists

The Radiologist uses their maging expertise in the diagnosis and sampling of abnormalities. Like the Pathologist, the Radiologist is a core member of the multidisciplinary cancer team. The Radiologist and Pathologist will interact as the diagnostic part of patient care, with an important aspect of the MDT being the correlation between the Radiologist’s imaging findings and the Pathologist’s histologic or microscopic findings.

Medical Oncologists

A medical oncologist treats cancer using chemotherapy or other medications, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy. At the meeting, it will be decided whether it is appropriate for you to see a medical oncologist.

Radiation Oncologists

A Radiation Oncologist is a medical specialist doctor with training in the use of r adiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) to cure or reduce the symptoms of cancer, and in the overall care of cancer patients. Many patients will require a consultation with a radiation oncologist, and this will be discussed at the meeting.

Cancer Nurses

Cancer nurses are a key point of contact between oncologists and patients and are important for the continuity of care of cancer patients. The nurse will be present at the meeting to ensure they are fully up to date with your treatment recommendations.