Multi disciplinary team

It is important that cancer care is planned and monitored by as many experts as possible. Multi-Disciplinary teams (MDTs) bring together doctors nurses and other health professionals who have specialist training and experience in a specific cancer type. They meet once a week to review new cancer patients and check the progress of existing patients.

The MDT works out your treatment plan and decides if any further tests need to be carried out. They will then make appropriate referrals to specialist services and collects patient information/keeps records.

Each MDT member has a different role, providing surgical, medical, practical or emotional help and support. Team members depend on the cancer type and your individual needs. Typical members of an MDT include:

• Cancer lead: who takes responsibility for the service. It is usually a physician or surgeon.
• Specialist nurse: who provides information and support. The nurse is your key-worker and acts as a point of contact between you and the MDT.
• MDT coordinator: who manages the MDT and makes sure that patient information is correct and discussions are recorded.
• Medical oncologist: a specialist doctor who treats cancer with drugs, including chemotherapy.
• Clinical oncologist or radiotherapist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiotherapy and may also prescribe chemotherapy.
• Surgeon: your specialist cancer surgeon.
• Haematologist: a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats blood disorders.
• Pathologist: a specialist doctor who examines body tissues and organs under the microscope.
• Radiologist: a specialist in the use of x-rays and other imaging to diagnose and treat disease, with a specialist interest in your type of cancer.
• Palliative Care doctor: specialising in the management of patients with non-curable disease.

You may not meet all of your cancer team together at one time. But you will meet all of the members who are relevant to your current treatment and care.

Your MDT may also include healthcare professionals from other hospitals who specialise in certain types of treatment. For example, we have very close links with the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

Taking your views into account: your key-worker

The final decision about treatment is down to you. Your key-worker (usually a specialist nurse) is your point of contact and knows everything about your diagnosis and treatment.Your key-worker will stay with you throughout your treatment journey and is there for support and to help you understand the process of cancer care. The key-worker will raise any questions or concerns you have with the MDT. All MDT decisions are taken in combination with you and, if you wish, your relatives and carers.

Linda McCartney Centre
Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Prescot Street
LIVERPOOL
L7 8XP

see attached map for specific directions

Visit the Macmillan Cancer Support website here

Visit the Cancer Research UK website here

Visit the NHS Choices website here