See the whole picture
Different specialists may notice different opportunities, limitations, or questions.
BUILD YOUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
More expertise.
More possibilities.
One plan. You at the center.
Cancer care can involve more than one kind of treatment and more than one kind of expert. A multidisciplinary team brings those perspectives together so options can be considered as part of one bigger picture — your bigger picture.
Sometimes the next option begins with one more voice at the table.
YOUat the center
●Medical
Oncology
Oncology
✦Surgical
Oncology
Oncology
◎Radiation
Oncology
Oncology
✣Interventional
Radiology
Radiology
⌁Pathology
◇Genetics &
Genomics
Genomics
+Navigation
△Organ-Specific
Expertise
Expertise
WHY THE TEAM MATTERS
No single specialty sees cancer from every angle.
The goal is not simply to collect more doctors. It is to bring together the right expertise at the right moment — and make sure those perspectives connect.
Compare approaches
Systemic and local treatments can be considered together instead of in separate silos.
Sequence care intentionally
The order of surgery, radiation, systemic therapy, local therapy, or a trial can matter.
Keep you at the center
Your goals, preferences, health, quality of life, travel, and priorities belong in the plan.
You deserve a team that sees the whole you.
It is reasonable to ask whether another specialty should review your case — especially when treatment decisions are complex or changing.
WHO MAY BE AT THE TABLE?
Your team should be built around your cancer — not a checklist.
Not everyone needs every specialist. Your diagnosis, where the cancer has spread, biomarkers, previous treatments, and treatment goals help determine whose perspective may matter.
Medical Oncologist
Coordinates systemic cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other medicines.
THE SYSTEMIC VIEWSurgical Oncologist
Evaluates whether surgery may play a role and how an operation could fit with other treatments.
THE SURGICAL VIEWRadiation Oncologist
Considers radiation techniques to treat cancer, control specific sites, relieve symptoms, or consolidate response.
THE RADIATION VIEWInterventional Radiologist
Evaluates image-guided procedures and local therapies such as ablation, embolization, and selected liver-directed approaches.
THE IMAGE-GUIDED VIEWPathologist
Examines tumor tissue, confirms diagnosis, and helps identify features that may influence treatment decisions.
THE TUMOR-TISSUE VIEWGenetics & Genomics
Helps interpret inherited risk, biomarker testing, molecular results, and what those findings may mean for you or your family.
THE MOLECULAR VIEWNurse Navigator
Helps connect appointments, information, practical needs, resources, and the many moving parts of care.
THE CONNECTION VIEWOrgan-Specific Expertise
Depending on your situation, this may include thoracic, liver, transplant, orthopedic, neurologic, gynecologic, or other specialty expertise.
THE DISEASE-SITE VIEWDon't only ask, “What is the treatment?”
Ask, “Who has looked at all of my options?”
QUESTIONS TO TAKE WITH YOU
Questions worth asking your team
- Has my case been reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumor board?
- Which specialties should be involved in my care right now?
- Are there local treatments that should be considered in addition to systemic treatment?
- Does the order of my treatment options matter?
- Have my pathology and biomarker results been reviewed in the context of treatment planning?
- Would a second opinion or subspecialty consultation change what we know?
- Who is coordinating the plan across my different specialists?
WHEN ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE MAY MATTER
Treatment crossroads are natural moments to widen the table.
At diagnosisEspecially when cancer is metastatic, complex, rare, or involves several sites.
Before a major decisionSurgery, radiation, a local therapy, or a major treatment change may benefit from shared review.
When treatment stops workingProgression can be a moment to reassess the entire landscape, not only the next drug.
After an exceptional responseA strong response can sometimes change what local or surgical options are worth revisiting.
When the answer is “no”A “no” from one specialty does not always answer what another specialty may see.
When you feel stuckIf the plan feels narrow or unclear, asking who else should review it is a reasonable next question.
ONE PLAN, CONNECTED
Your treatment options shouldn't live in separate boxes.
A multidisciplinary conversation can help connect what is known about your cancer with the full range of tools that may be relevant.
Biomarker testingSystemic therapySurgeryRadiationInterventional oncologyClinical trialsSupportive careYour goals
WHEN CLINICAL TRIALS BELONG IN THE CONVERSATION
Bring TrialMagic to the table, too.
Clinical trials are another treatment pathway worth understanding. TrialMagic can help you identify research possibilities to discuss with your multidisciplinary team.
HOPE CAN BEGIN WITH ONE MORE QUESTION
Your plan can be bigger than one perspective.
Multidisciplinary care is not about making treatment more complicated. It is about making sure important possibilities are not missed — and that you remain at the center of every conversation.
Hope is having more than one way forward. ♡
Not sure who should be on your team?
Start with a conversation. We can help you think through what questions to ask next.