Multidisciplinary team (MDT) for melanoma

A team of health professionals will work with you to plan your treatment for melanoma. This is called the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

The MDT look at national treatment guidelines and the latest evidence for the type of cancer you have. If you have any treatment preferences, your doctor will tell them about them. The MDT will usually include the following professionals: 

• Oncologist – a cancer doctor who specialises in treating people with cancer using targeted and immunotherapy drugs, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
• Skin cancer nurse specialist – a nurse who gives information about skin cancer, and support during treatment.
• Dermatologist – a doctor who treats skin problems.
• Plastic surgeon – a doctor who does operations (surgery) to repair or reconstruct tissue and skin.
• Pathologist – a doctor who looks at cells or body tissue under a microscope to diagnose cancer.
• Radiologist – a doctor who looks at scans and x-rays to diagnose problems.

The MDT may also include other healthcare professionals. The MDT meet to talk about your treatment plan. They consider things, such as:

• your general health
• the stage of the melanoma
• where it is on your body. 

After the MDT meeting, your doctor and specialist nurse will talk to you about the best treatment plan for your situation. They will explain the benefits and disadvantages of different treatments.