Multidisciplinary team (MDT) for bowel cancer

If you have bowel cancer, a team of specialists will work together to plan the best treatment for you. They are called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The MDT look at national treatment guidelines or the latest evidence for bowel cancer. If you have any treatment preferences, your doctor will tell them about this.

The MDT will usually include the following professionals:

• Surgeon – a doctor who does operations (surgery) and specialises in bowel cancer.
• Oncologist (cancer doctor) – a doctor who uses radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted or immunotherapy drugs to treat people with cancer.
• Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) – a nurse who gives information about cancer, and support during treatment.
• Radiologist – a doctor who looks at scans and x-rays to diagnose problems.
• Pathologist – a doctor who looks at cells or body tissue under a microscope to diagnose cancer.
• Stoma care nurse – a nurse who gives information and support to people who have a stoma.

Other healthcare professionals may include:

• a gastroenterologist – a doctor who treats problems with the digestive system
• a dietitian – someone who gives information and advice about food and food supplements
• a physiotherapist – someone who gives advice about exercise and mobility.

If the cancer has spread to the liver or lungs, some people may also be referred to an MDT that specialises in surgery for advanced cancer. The 2 teams will work together to plan your treatment.