Treatment planning
Your treatment will be planned by a team made up of different healthcare professionals with different areas of expertise. We call this a multidisciplinary team. Depending on your needs and the type of cancer you have, the multidisciplinary team might include:
- a surgeon who has a special interest in your type of cancer
- a medical oncologist (a specialist doctor who treats cancer with drugs, including chemotherapy)
- a clinical oncologist or radiotherapist (a specialist doctor who treats cancer with radiotherapy)
- a radiologist who specialises in the use of X-rays and other imaging to diagnose and treat disease
- a key worker, such as a specialist nurse, who acts as a point of contact for you and your family throughout your treatment and offers information and support.
Other healthcare specialists (for example, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, physiotherapists) might also be part of your team and be involved in your care.
Treatment options
The multidisciplinary team meets regularly to discuss the best treatment options for each patient in their care. They will take into account the results of tests and your general health.
Your doctor will discuss the different treatment options available to you, taking into account your own preferences. You may find it helpful to take a family member or friend with you when your treatment is being discussed.
Questions to ask
Before you can make a decision about treatment, it’s important that you feel you fully understand what each treatment involves. This is particularly important because we will always ask for your consent before we treat you.
During your appointment, you will have a chance to ask your doctor anything you would like to know about your treatment. It is a good idea to think about what questions you might want to ask before your appointment.