Your specialist doctor will usually be part of a "multidisciplinary care team" team bringing together a range of health professionals who contribute differing skills to the planning of your treatment and provision of ongoing care. This ensures that all relevant aspects of your needs will be considered. A multidisciplinary team will include:

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Oncologist

Oncologists are doctors who specialise in cancer. As different types of cancer behave very differently, doctors usually specialise in particular types of cancer or areas of cancer treatment. Oncologists are broadly trained in all aspects of oncology, specialising in one of three main areas:

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• surgical oncology – cancer surgery
• radiation oncology – radiation therapy
• medical oncology – drug treatments including chemotherapy/hormone therapy/immunotherapy/targeted therapy

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Often, the main specialist you will be referred to is a medical oncologist who treats all types of cancer (predominantly with drug therapies such as chemotherapy). Watch and listen to a medical oncologist talk about her role caring for patients with CUP.

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Other Specialist or Consultant doctors you may see

You may or may not be referred to a specialist doctor,  dependent on your symptoms, the possible location of the cancer and specific tests that may be recommended. This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other specialists involved. 

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• Gastroenterologist - digestive tract, bowel or stomach problems
• Gynaecologist - cancer affecting female reproductive system
• ‍Geneticist- if there is concern about the need to test for cancer in the family‍
• Haematologist - blood or blood forming organs (for example bone marrow)‍
• Head and neck/ear, nose and throat surgeon
• Neurologist/neurosurgeon - brain and spinal cord‍
• Orthopaedic surgeon - bones
• ‍Palliative care specialist – supportive care for symptom management and care planning
• ‍Pharmacist - medication expert advising on drug-related decisions‍
• Respiratory specialist or thoracic surgeon - chest and lungs‍
• Urologist - urinary tract, kidney and male reproductive system

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Nurse /care coordinator

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Nurses work with you to identify and assess your supportive care needs, monitor your condition, administer medication, and develop care plans. Nurses also act as patient educators and collaborate closely with other members of the team to ensure the highest quality of care to patients. Nurses may be varied in their roles and include cancer nurses, care coordinators, nurse consultants and research nurses.

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Watch and listen to a nurse talk about how nurses can help throughout the CUP journey.  

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Other specialists who will work behind the scenes on your case: 

• Genomics specialist - specialist scientist who interprets the patient's genetic profile from tumour cells to help inform diagnosis and personalise treatment
• Pathologist - specialist doctor in diagnosing disease by examining body tissue and fluid under a microscope
• Plastic surgeon - specialist doctor in reconstructive surgery and functional improvements
• Radiologist - specialist doctor in using imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans etc.) to diagnose and treat medical conditions, including cancer

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Allied health professionals:

• Dietitian - manages nutrition issues including prescribing alternative feeding
• Occupational therapist (also called OT) - enhances participation in day-to-day life including independence, autonomy and safety
• Physiotherapist (also called Physio, PT) - improves physical capacity
• Psychologist - supports emotional and psychological wellbeing
• Social worker - provides counselling, education and information services, referrals to community resources and helps people navigate the healthcare system
• Speech pathologist (also called Speech Therapist, SP) - manages patient difficulties with speaking or swallowing food and fluids, and increasing their capacity to communicate.

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Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings

The different treatment options for your cancer will often be discussed at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting with other health professionals. During and after treatment, you will see various health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care. 

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Further information about Multidisciplinary Team: 

Multidisciplinary team | Guide to best cancer care | Cancer Council

Multidisciplinary Care for Advanced Disease | Cancer Australia