The Importance of Multidisciplinary (MDT) Care in Fighting Cancer

Cancer is a complex disease, and fighting it requires a comprehensive approach. With growing research and technology, we are fortunate to have an entire array of treatment approaches for every type of cancer at almost every stage. However, implementing a comprehensive treatment approach requires team effort and this is where multidisciplinary treatment becomes important.

Cancer treatment is not an individual feat, but a unified effort of the team of experts from various oncology micro-specialities that brings desired results. The goal of this treatment strategy is to deliver the best possible treatment to the patient and to help them maintain or upgrade their quality of life.

This collaborative effort offers several advantages:
Comprehensive Treatment Planning: Each specialist brings their expertise to the table, analysing the patient's case from all the possible angles and decide which treatment should be offered first and also what can be offered subsequently. There are many considerations in the decision-making process like stage and grade of the disease, specific genetic mutations, age and general health of the patient, guideline recommendations etc.

Addressing Challenges beyond Physical Needs:
Multidisciplinary treatment goes beyond just treating the physical aspect of cancer. The MDT team can address potential mental, logistical and financial challenges like traveling distance to treatment facility, presence or absence of caretakers, cost of hospitalization and medicines, mental implications, fear of side-effects or unwanted outcomes etc to provide assistance or resolution and the treatment compliance can be ensured in the interest of the patient.