The Multidisciplinary Care Team

One value of finding a NET expert to serve as the captain to guide your treatment is that he or she will likely have access to the best “crew,” a multidisciplinary group of specialists, each with expertise in a specific area, who contribute to charting your treatment course. Medical specialties that may be represented on your multidisciplinary care team include: pathology, radiology, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, surgical oncology, medical oncology, endocrinology, gastroenterology or pulmonology. Your care team could also include PAs, NPs, nurses, dietitians, respiratory therapists, counselors, social workers, pharmacists, or patient navigators.

While the multidisciplinary approach is optimal, it may not always be achievable. NET specialists are not found in every medical center or even in every cancer center. Traveling to centers that have NET specialists may not be an option due to economic, health or logistical reasons. Insurance networks may dictate which physicians you can see. You may be able to surmount these barriers and emulate the benefit of a multidisciplinary care team if you find a local physician who is willing to research on your behalf and seek consultation, review the latest guidelines on NET treatment paths, and refer you to other providers as needed for your care or for a second opinion. Out-ofstate specialists may offer virtual consultation by phone or video conferencing if allowed by their state medical licensing board. Medical files and discs containing CT, MRI or PET images can be sent to specialists for review. Due to the rarity of this cancer, many insurance plans may approve consultations as needed.