Multi Disciplinary Team

The team consists of a panel of specialists with expertise in ongoing management of colon and rectal cancer.

The team includes Colorectal Surgeons, Radiation and Medical Oncologists, Radiologists, Cancer co-ordinator, Pathologists & Nursing staff.

Each cancer case gets discussed in detail.

Surgery is the main treatment for colon and rectal cancers.

Radiologists:

The radiologists reviews each scan before the meeting studying the position of the cancer, distance from other organs, blood vessels and nerve involvement and assesses distant organ involvements. This critical information helps us to guide the best treatment plan for each patient.

Pathologists:

A specialist doctor trained in reporting of tissue samples i.e. biopsies taken during colonoscopy . They play a crucial role in diagnosing the type of cancer. Once the main operation i.e. colectomy is performed they do a thorough analysis of the entire specimen. The pathologist does a detailed examination of the specimen looking for margin clearance, number of nodes involved, involvement of vessels and lymphatics etc. This analysis will gives us insight to the aggressive nature of the cancer. This vital piece of information will guide us as to which group of patients will benefit from chemotherapy.

Radiation and medical oncologists:

Specialist in cancer management in the field of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Early stages of bowel cancers do not need chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Surgery is the main treatment.

Radiotherapy is administered before surgery in locally advanced rectal cancers with nodal involvement. Duration of radiotherapy can be for a week or five weeks.

After radiotherapy, the surgery is generally performed in a week’s time or 6-8-week time.

The tissue is then sent for pathological analysis. The pathologist does a detailed examination of the specimen looking for margin clearance, number of nodes involved, type of tumour, involvement of vessels and lymphatics etc. This analysis will tell us the aggressiveness of the cancer. This will guide us as to which group of patients will benefit from chemotherapy.