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How Does A Multidisciplinary Team Create A Treatment Plan?
There are hundreds of different recognised cancer types, and each of these types often presents in different ways, which means that everyone who is diagnosed with cancer will receive a series of pathways, options and treatment plans based on their individual needs.
These options are often developed through the use of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), which is a team of specialists who will meet to discuss the best courses of treatment that are available.
They will provide a range of different options based on their expertise, but the final decision will always be with the person receiving treatment. No treatment can be started without your consent, and your oncologist and cancer team will provide as much information as they can so you can make your choice.
An MDT will consider a lot of different factors when it comes to the best courses of treatment, as a tumour type such as glioblastoma will require a different course of treatment depending on where it is located.
Here are some of the considerations an MDT will use to create a treatment plan, both from the results of diagnostic tests and your particular needs, and how they can provide as many options as possible.
The cancer type is described based on the part of the body it starts in and the type of cell it emerges from.
For example, basal cell carcinoma emerges from the skin or from tissue linings from internal organs, a glioma emerges from the glial cells found in the brain or spinal cord, and leukaemia begins in white blood cells.
Brain tumours, which are classified by different characteristics at the molecular level and the microscopic tissue structure, are typically graded I, II, III or IV by the World Health Organization.
WHO Grade I is the least aggressive, with the scale climbing to WHO Grade IV, which is the most aggressive. Understanding the type and grade of these tumours helps clinical teams predict tumour behaviour and determine the best course of treatment.
As well as type and grade, MDTs will consider the location of the tumour within the brain, as this can have a significant impact on treatment options.
With glioblastomas, for example, following a comprehensive evaluation (including neurological exams, MRIs, biopsies and molecular profiling), discussions can be carried out relating to surgical potential, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and early involvement of palliative care specialists, where appropriate.
Treatment plans will include both very intense and less intensive treatments as options, with some variations depending on your level of health and fitness, as well as other conditions which could be affected by treatment.
Your oncologist, as well as the MDT working on your treatment will work with you to explore the potential goals for treatment, and which of them matters most will impact the types of treatment that are available.
In most cases, treatment will focus on destroying every cancer cell and completely destroying atumour, and treatments will be focused on that goal.
In other cases, the goal will be to control the growth of cancer to give you the highest quality of life possible and relieve symptoms, as well as ensure that you can live your life the way you want to.
In some cases, people may choose a treatment option which provides the least disruption to their professional and personal lives. Your cancer team, friends, family and loved ones can also provide advice in this regard, as can your employer if you are worried it may affect your work.
You can always request a second opinion, and you do not have to explain or disclose the reasons for your decision to your doctor if you do not want to.
However, they will provide clear, understandable information about the treatments you would have if you chose a particular treatment plan, how they might affect you, and what will happen if you choose not to have treatment at all.
These options are often developed through the use of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), which is a team of specialists who will meet to discuss the best courses of treatment that are available.
They will provide a range of different options based on their expertise, but the final decision will always be with the person receiving treatment. No treatment can be started without your consent, and your oncologist and cancer team will provide as much information as they can so you can make your choice.
An MDT will consider a lot of different factors when it comes to the best courses of treatment, as a tumour type such as glioblastoma will require a different course of treatment depending on where it is located.
Here are some of the considerations an MDT will use to create a treatment plan, both from the results of diagnostic tests and your particular needs, and how they can provide as many options as possible.
Type Of Cancer And Stage
A cancer diagnosis is typically made of two parts: a cancer type and a stage.The cancer type is described based on the part of the body it starts in and the type of cell it emerges from.
For example, basal cell carcinoma emerges from the skin or from tissue linings from internal organs, a glioma emerges from the glial cells found in the brain or spinal cord, and leukaemia begins in white blood cells.
Brain tumours, which are classified by different characteristics at the molecular level and the microscopic tissue structure, are typically graded I, II, III or IV by the World Health Organization.
WHO Grade I is the least aggressive, with the scale climbing to WHO Grade IV, which is the most aggressive. Understanding the type and grade of these tumours helps clinical teams predict tumour behaviour and determine the best course of treatment.
As well as type and grade, MDTs will consider the location of the tumour within the brain, as this can have a significant impact on treatment options.
With glioblastomas, for example, following a comprehensive evaluation (including neurological exams, MRIs, biopsies and molecular profiling), discussions can be carried out relating to surgical potential, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and early involvement of palliative care specialists, where appropriate.
Overall Health
Anyone can receive any type of cancer treatment, but more intensive and aggressive treatments can have possible side effects that can vary depending on your overall health.Treatment plans will include both very intense and less intensive treatments as options, with some variations depending on your level of health and fitness, as well as other conditions which could be affected by treatment.
Personal Goals And Views Of The Treatment
Cancer care is person-centred by design, so it is not just the results of scans, tests and fitness reviews that will determine the potential options for cancer care but also your preferences and aims when it comes to treatment.Your oncologist, as well as the MDT working on your treatment will work with you to explore the potential goals for treatment, and which of them matters most will impact the types of treatment that are available.
In most cases, treatment will focus on destroying every cancer cell and completely destroying atumour, and treatments will be focused on that goal.
In other cases, the goal will be to control the growth of cancer to give you the highest quality of life possible and relieve symptoms, as well as ensure that you can live your life the way you want to.
In some cases, people may choose a treatment option which provides the least disruption to their professional and personal lives. Your cancer team, friends, family and loved ones can also provide advice in this regard, as can your employer if you are worried it may affect your work.
You can always request a second opinion, and you do not have to explain or disclose the reasons for your decision to your doctor if you do not want to.
However, they will provide clear, understandable information about the treatments you would have if you chose a particular treatment plan, how they might affect you, and what will happen if you choose not to have treatment at all.
