Gynaecology/Oncology Multi Disciplinary Teams (MDT) v6

Your Healthcare Team

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer require a team of experts called a Multi-Disciplinary Team (or MDT for short).  The team is made up of people with different skills and training but who are all cancer experts.  The team includes specialists who understand:

• How and when to test for cancer 
• What special tests to carry out
• What cancer cells look like and how they behave
• How to treat cancer
• How it may affect your life

Our team consists of a number of experts.  All of them play a part in supporting you and your family before, during and after your diagnosis and treatment.

You come first

To ensure you receive the recommended treatment, everyone in the MDT meets on a regular basis.  Your case will be discussed to ensure that all appropriate choices for treatment for you are considered. All of the appropriate options of treatment will be explained to you and you will be given written information to help you in making decision about your treatment.

Some of the team that you may come into contact with will include the following:

The Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon

The surgeon is a specialist who can assess gynaecological problems and diagnose gynaecological cancers. Once your condition has been diagnosed, the surgeon will discuss with you the different options of treatment and will perform any operations needed to remove the cancer.  Your Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon will also see you after your operation to discuss your results.

The Gynaecological Nurse Specialist

This nurse specialises in the care and support of women with gynaecological problems.  The nurse will provide information to help you to understand your treatment and will support you during your treatment.  The nurse will advise you on practical issues.  The Gynaecology Nurse Specialist can talk to other members of the team on your behalf if you wish.

The Radiologist

This is a doctor who is an expert in carrying out diagnostic tests such as CT, MR and special scans. The Radiologist is specially trained to interpret these scan results.

The Radiographer

The Radiographer is skilled in the use of a range of x-ray and ultrasound equipment to produce images which help to diagnose cancer.

The Pathologist

This doctor is an expert at looking at cells under a microscope and working out the type of cancer so that the team know how to give further treatment, if necessary.

The Oncologist

This doctor is an expert on non-surgical treatments for different types of cancer.  A clinical oncologist specialises particularly in radiotherapy but may also have experience in chemotherapy and hormone therapy.  A medical oncologist specialises in chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Therapy Radiographer

This is a skilled radiographer who organises and gives radiotherapy treatment, working closely with the clinical oncologist.

Do you have any questions?

If you are worried about something or don’t understand something you have heard, your Gynaecological Nurse Specialist is here to help and can be contacted on 01942 264694 available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.  When the nurse is in outpatient clinics or on the wards an answer machine is switched on and all messages will be responded to as quickly as possible.

Additional Information

At some point during your treatment you may need to visit a Cancer Centre. 

Some initial tests may well be carried out locally in Wigan.

The most suitable place for you to receive your treatment will be discussed fully with you by the team.