Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers
Diagnosing and treating Upper GI cancers (cancers of the stomach and oesophagus) requires a multidisciplinary team of experts who work to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatment.
You may have been told that you will be discussed at an Upper GI multidisciplinary meeting. This leaflet may help to answer any questions you may have about this meeting.
What is a multidisciplinary team?
The Multidisciplinary team or MDT is made up of expert medical professionals who meet together to make decisions about the management of patients with stomach or oesophageal (gullet) cancers.
All team members play a part in ensuring that the right decision is made about your cancer treatment.
Further investigations are often required, which will require travel to other hospitals.
All patients diagnosed with a cancer of the stomach or oesophagus are discussed at the MDT.
Many patients will be discussed further at the MDT prior to treatment decisions being made.
Who will be at the meeting?
The Upper GI multidisciplinary team at the Trust includes the following:
MDT Co-ordinator
This staff member co-ordinates the meetings, ensures that the correct information is available about you and makes a record of the discussions.
Consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeons
These surgeons specialise in surgical management of stomach and oesophageal (gullet) cancers.
Consultant gastroenterologists
These doctors specialise in endoscopy (camera investigations) and fitting of oesophageal stents (flexible tubes that allow patients to swallow and eat).
Macmillan upper GI clinical nurse specialists
Nurses who are specially trained to care for you and your relatives with stomach or oesophageal (gullet) cancers and will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding your diagnosis and ongoing care planning.
Radiologist
A doctor who specialises in x-rays and scans, from which a diagnosis is made.
Histopathologist
A doctor who examines cancer cells under the microscope.
Oncologist
A doctor from Christie Hospital who advises on chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
How often does the team meet?
The MDT meets every Friday morning. Your case may require further discussion prior to treatment decisions being made.
How are my views or needs taken into account?
You will have, or will be allocated, a key worker within a team – usually the Macmillan Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialists, who will discuss your treatment and management with you.
They can also feedback any concerns or questions about your treatment to members of the team and will remain in contact with you during your treatment.
You are also entitled to know the outcome of any discussions that the team have about your care which will be relayed via your key worker.
Use the space below to write down any information, notes or questions you may have, or wish to raise with your key worker.
You will be issued with a Macmillan information pack at the time your results are explained in clinic.
Further information in written form will be added for you at the consultation with the specialist team.
Your Record
Your diagnosis:
Your treatment plan:
Your Key worker is:
You can contact them on:
Summary
Date of Review: October 2023
Date of Next Review: October 2025
Ref No: PI_SU_328 (NCA)