What do we do?
We are a multidisciplinary team of Medical Specialists who have a special interest in conditions of the bowel, including cancers. Because we work together as a team we have the expertise to deliver a comprehensive level of care to our patients in most cases.
What is a radiologist?
Radiologists are doctors who specialise in medical imaging of conditions using a wide range of techniques. These techniques include the use of X-rays, screening, ultrasound, Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Gastrointestinal radiologists complete their general radiology training, obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists before subspecialising in gastrointestinal imaging. They are fully trained in the medical conditions affecting the bowel and the imaging thereof.
Interventional radiologists specialise in providing appropriate access for the delivery of treatments as well as a variety of techniques to treat cancer via minimal invasive procedures. Procedures include the placement of Groshong & Hickman lines, portacaths and embolisation of tumours.
What is a colorectal surgeon or coloproctologist?
Bowel specialists are often called colorectal surgeons or coloproctologists, this usually means that they are abdominal surgeons with a special interest in treating diseases of the colon and rectum. Colorectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of colonic, rectal and anal problems.
They have been fully trained in General Surgery before completing advanced training in the treatment of colonic, rectal and anal problems. Colorectal surgeons treat benign and malignant conditions, perform routine screening examinations and surgically treat problems when necessary.
What is an oncologist?
Oncologists are specialists in the non-surgical treatment of cancer. They deliver treatment using chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The 2 types of oncologists in the UK are, Clinical Oncologists who deliver both radiotherapy and chemotherapy and Medical Oncologists who only deliver chemotherapy. Because the management of different cancers has now become very complicated, most oncologists site-specialise in a limited number of cancers. This ensures that the most up to date treatment are delivered to their patients.
What is a pathologist?
Pathologists or Histopathologists are medical specialists who specialise in tissue diagnosis. They analyse any tissue that has been taken from a patient to determine the nature of the condition. A pathologist's diagnosis will help the surgeon, the physician and the oncologist to decide on the course of the patient’s further management. In bowel pathology, they are involved in the analysis of small biopsies taken at endoscopy and of larger specimens removed by the colorectal surgeon at operation. As for the surgeon radiologist and oncologist most pathologists have special interests in particular fields including bowel conditions.
What is a multidisciplinary team (MDT)?
The optimum management of bowel conditions requires multimodality involvement in a co-ordinated manner. Decisions regarding individual patients are discussed collectively in order to tailor treatments to achieve optimal results.
The initial decision is vital.
The best way of achieving this is by working as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) consisting of representatives from all specialists involved; coloproctologist, oncologist, radiologist, pathologist.
The team meet as an MDT on a regular basis to review a patient’s case history, investigations and imaging results. Various treatment options are discussed allowing the treatment and management to be individually tailored, having taken all the relevant factors into consideration. The MDT allows further discussion following any surgery with discussion with the pathologist to decide whether any further treatment is required.
The MDT can therefore collect and audit the long-term outcome data in order to refine and improve the decisions made in the future.