If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may hear that your case will be "discussed at MDT". This can sound mysterious, but it is one of the most important safeguards in UK cancer care. It means your results are reviewed by a group of specialists, not just one doctor, before treatment is recommended.
What MDT stands for
MDT means multidisciplinary team. It is a group of health professionals from different specialities who meet regularly, usually weekly, to review new and complex cancer cases together. Every man diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK should have his case discussed by an MDT.
Who is on the team
A prostate cancer MDT usually includes:
- Urologists: surgeons who specialise in the urinary system and prostate, and who perform operations such as robotic prostatectomy.
- Clinical oncologists: doctors who specialise in radiotherapy and drug treatments.
- Radiologists: doctors who interpret scans, including MRI, CT, bone and PSMA PET scans.
- Pathologists: doctors who examine biopsy and surgical tissue under the microscope.
- Clinical nurse specialists: nurses with expert knowledge who support patients through diagnosis and treatment.
- MDT coordinators: who organise the meeting and make sure all results are available.
Some teams also include medical oncologists, palliative care specialists and researchers, who may suggest suitable clinical trials.
What happens at an MDT meeting
During the meeting, each case is presented in turn. The team reviews:
- your PSA results
- your MRI and any other scans
- your biopsy report, including the Gleason score and Grade Group
- your stage. Our guide to TNM staging explains this.
- your general health and any other conditions
- anything you have said about your wishes and priorities
The radiologist and pathologist may show the images and slides on screen. The team then agrees which treatment options are suitable and whether any further tests are needed.
You do not attend the meeting yourself. Afterwards, your consultant or nurse will explain the recommendations to you.
Why it matters
The MDT approach has several benefits:
- Balanced advice: surgeons and oncologists both contribute, so you hear about surgical and non-surgical options.
- Accurate interpretation: scans and biopsies are reviewed by specialists in those areas.
- Consistent standards: recommendations follow NICE guidance on prostate cancer and local protocols.
- Fewer oversights: a group is more likely to spot something one person might miss.
The recommendation is not a decision
An MDT recommendation sets out which options are suitable. It does not decide for you. Often, more than one treatment is reasonable, such as surgery or radiotherapy for intermediate-risk disease. The final choice is yours, made together with your consultant after considering your priorities.
If your circumstances change, or new results come in, your case can be discussed again.
Questions to ask after an MDT
You might ask:
- What did the MDT recommend, and why?
- Was more than one treatment considered suitable?
- Did the team suggest any further tests?
- Can I speak to both a surgeon and an oncologist before deciding?
Our guide to your first steps after diagnosis has more questions to consider.
MDTs in private care
Patients treated privately in the UK should also have their cases discussed by an MDT. It is reasonable to ask your consultant which team will review your case. Prostate Cancer UK has further information on how treatment decisions are made.
Your role in the team
You are an important part of the process. Telling your consultant what matters most to you, such as continence, sexual function, recovery time or avoiding certain side effects, helps the team give advice that fits your life.
Professor Prokar Dasgupta works within established multidisciplinary teams at The London Clinic. Please contact the clinic to arrange a consultation.