Are MDT meetings just for cancer?

Hi everyone, 

I had a brain MRI some weeks ago (10 to be precise) and a couple of days after the MRI, I was discussed in an MDT meeting. I have been told no tumour was found, but I can't help but think it went to the MDT meeting because they think it is a brain tumour. Are MDT meetings just for cancer? The radiographer was on the phone to the radiologist as soon as I got off the bed for my MRI. They did find some changes in my MRI but they said it's not cancer. I have another appointment with the consultant in a few weeks and I feel scared. I am worried they have put me in a watch and wait and just not told me their tumour findings yet :(

  • Hi Butterfree,

    The answer to your question is an emphatic NO!

    I worked in the NHS for a very long time and I can assure you that MDT meetings happen whenever more than one hospital or community health team is involved. 

    Me and my family have been subject to MDT meetings covering cancer, a brain haemorhage, learning disabilities, autism, mental health, upper GI, lower GI and COPD. 

    Trust me, if they knew you had cancer they would tell you in no uncertain terms. My own complaint was about the brutal way I was told our of the blue of my cancer diagnosis and scary prognosis. 

    I’m only a patient, but it sounds to me like they don’t yet know what’s wrong with you. Waiting is awful but it can take time for them to get it right. 

    Good luck!
    Dave

  • Thank you so much and I am sorry for your horrific ordeal in your diagnosis. I hope you are doing well. They said the MDT meeting was to make sure my diagnosis is correct. I have been diagnosed with a couple of things. I know in the meeting there was neurosurgeons, neurologists and neuro radiologists who all looked at my scan. They rang me ta couple of days after the meeting to tell me I don't have a brain tumour but I need some fluid draining to reduce the pressure in my head. I have had extremely bad mental health whilst been tested and it makes me think they haven't been able to tell me because of my mental health. Surely they wouldn't be able to write a letter stating there is no tumour if there was one though? It could all be my mental health worrying but I am living off my nerves constantly :(.

    I really hope you are doing ok. 

    Thanks :) 

  • It would be unethical for them to do that and they’d be open to being sued.

  • That is what I keep telling myself. I asked what was discussed in the MDT though and they have never told.me and I feel like I can't get closure. 

  • I’m waiting for the results of a MDT meeting. The wait is driving me nuts. My GP has written another letter to see what is going on. I also have a private consultation in place if all else fails. I’m afraid that we are not always told the truth from my experience. I was told in a letter that I had been seen in a clinic when we had not. We had waited for two hours to be told that the appointment had been cancelled. This is for suspected kidney cancer with masses on both kidneys. I hope that your own outcome is positive

  • Good luck, I hope all goes well. When will you get the results? 

  • We were told within two weeks but had already gone through the two week wait so another two weeks. Hopefully very soon