Upper Gastrointestinal Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings
Upper Gastrointestinal Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings
Patient Information
Oncology
The Patient Information Leaflets page on the Trust website is available on the link: https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets or scan the QR code.
- Author ID: CP/LM
- Leaflet Ref: CC 021
- Version: 7
- Leaflet title: Upper Gastrointestinal MDT Meeting
- Last review: June 2023
- Expiry Date: June 2025
Your Healthcare Team
Diagnosis and treatment of cancer requires a team of experts called a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). We have a local MDT held at Wigan, the diagnostic centre of Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and a sector MDT hosted by Salford Royal Hospital, which is one of the the specialist treating centre for these types of cancers.
The MDT’s are made up of a team of cancer experts with highly specialist skills and training. Collectively, the team have the knowledge and experience in understanding how cancer appears, what it looks like, how it behaves, what cancer cells look like under the microscope, how and when to test for cancer, how to treat it and how it may affect your life. All of the professionals who take part in the MDT have a key role in supporting you and your family throughout your cancer journey.
You come first
To make sure you are the one who benefits, the MDT meet on a regular basis. Your case will be discussed to ensure that all appropriate choices for treatment for you are considered. When you have choices, they will be explained, and verbal and written information will be available to you to support any decision you are making.
Some of the team that you may meet may include the following:
Gastroenterologist
This is a doctor who carries out diagnostic endoscopic procedures such as Gastroscopy.
The Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
This is a specialist who can assess and diagnose primary and recurrent cancer of the oesophagus and stomach. Once your condition has been diagnosed, the surgeon will discuss different treatment options and drugs currently available. They will carry out any operations needed to remove cancer. The surgeon will also discuss with you the results of surgery.
Registrar
This is a senior doctor who has chosen to specialise in this area of care, and is getting specialist training in that area.
The Upper GI Nurse Specialist
This is a nurse who is an expert in caring and supporting people with Upper GI problems. The Upper GI Nurse Specialists will provide information to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment and will continue to support you beyond treatments. The Upper GI Nurse Specialist can advise you on practical issues and help with problems associated with your treatment. They can also act as an advocate for you in the MDT if you wish.
The Nurse Endoscopist
This is a nurse specially trained to carry out endoscopic procedures, the main procedure being a Gastroscopy (also known as Endoscopy). The gastroscope is a long flexible tube with a bright light on the end. This examination enables us to look at your oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). This will allow us to make a diagnosis of your illness / complaint.
The Radiologist
This is a doctor who is an expert in carrying out diagnostic tests and specially trained to interpret x-rays and special scans from which a diagnosis is made.
Diagnostic Radiographer
This is a radiographer who is skilled in the use of a range of x-ray and ultrasound equipment to produce images / pictures, which help to diagnose disease.
The Pathologist
This is a doctor who is an expert in looking at cancer cells under a microscope and working out how they might behave to guide decisions on treatment.
The Oncologist
This is a doctor who is an expert on non-surgical treatments for your type of cancer. A clinical oncologist specialises in radiotherapy, but may also have experience in chemotherapy and hormone therapy. A medical oncologist specialises in chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Therapy Radiographer
Organises and gives radiotherapy treatment, working closely with the clinical oncologist.
If you have any Questions
If you are worried about something or don’t understand something you have heard, your Upper GI Specialist Nurse is there to help.
Your Upper GI Nursing team is available Monday to Friday from 7:30am until 4pm.
Please phone 01942 773459.
All messages will be responded to as quickly as possible.