MDT (multi-disciplinary team) guidance for managing prostate cancer

Approach to the Patient
Key points for discussion with the patient
• Survival prognosis?
• Treatment options?
• Treatment side-effects?
• Impact on quality of life?
• Importance of:
o Sexual function?
o Urinary function?
o Bowel function?
o Physical strength, energy?
o Level of activity?
o Accessibility to prescribed drugs?
o Psychosocial impact on them and their family?
• Family history?
• Clinical trials?
The patient’s expectations
The patient should have the right to discuss their treatment with
appropriately trained members of the MDT
• After a diagnosis of prostate cancer, most men will want to have some involvement in the
decisions concerning their care. The following aspects have been found to be important: 4
o Honesty about the severity of the cancer and their prognosis
o Discussion of the best treatment options
o The clinician being up-to-date on ongoing and recent research
o Disclosing all treatment options
o How cancer may affect their daily functioning
• It is essential that the patient and healthcare professionals discuss the likelihood of adverse
events associated with each treatment option and implications for their future lifestyle when
determining management strategies.
• The patient and his partner, family and/or other carers should be fully informed about care and
treatment options and therefore able to make appropriate decisions based upon the choices
offered by their healthcare professionals. For example, the choice between radical treatment and
active surveillance may be influenced by a patient’s desire to retain sexual activity, physical energy
and quality of life.
• Patients should be informed and advised regarding the available treatment options and the
potential effects of these on their lifestyle and quality of life.
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