Question: I keep hearing about the importance of having a multidisciplinary care team for my lung cancer treatments. What does “multidisciplinary care team” mean and who might be on it?

Answer: A “multidisciplinary care team” is a group of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from different fields who work together to determine the best treatment plan for a patient and to provide high quality and coordinated care.

Your multidisciplinary care team may include some or all of the following medical professionals:

  • Medical oncologist: A physician who treats cancer using medications and chemotherapy drugs.
  • Radiation oncologist: A physician who uses X-rays and special radiology procedures in cancer diagnosis and treatment. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and PET scans.
  • Thoracic surgeon: A physician who specializes in the surgical treatment of cancer and other diseases of the chest.
  • Pulmonologist: A physician who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of lung problems.
  • Pathologist: A physician who analyzes tumor tissues removed by biopsy or surgery in order to diagnose and stage cancer and other diseases.
  • RN navigator: An RN (registered nurse) who will help you and your family by offering education, support, and coordination of services in the process of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
  • Chemotherapy nurse: A registered nurse who specializes in the delivery of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, helping you deal with any side effects and placing IVs for infusions.
  • Research nurse: A registered nurse who administers and provides nursing care if you are involved in clinical trials.
  • Palliative care coordinator or symptom management care coordinator: A registered nurse or physician who will help you manage symptoms associated with disease and treatment of cancer.
  • Social worker: A licensed professional who can assist you and your family with supportive counseling and community resources. At GO2, our dedicated HelpLine team includes social workers that are here to support you on your lung cancer journey.
  • Radiation technician: A licensed professional who will guide you through radiation treatments, inject dyes or contrast for radiation tests, and care for you during radiation treatments.
  • Registered dietician: A licensed professional who will help you develop a nutritional plan based on your specific needs.

Please note that the information included in any published answer is for educational pursuit only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult their healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Nothing from GO2 for Lung Cancer should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion.