What types of specialists help treat cancer?
The different members of your cancer team offer many kinds
of help. They can help you deal with the physical and
emotional effects of having cancer.
The treatment team may include:
- your primary healthcare provider
- medical oncologist
- radiation oncologist
- radiation technologist
- surgeon
- oncology nurses
- dieticians
- physical therapist
- pharmacist
- social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
What do these specialists do?
Your primary healthcare provider will continue to provide
your usual care. Your provider will also help you manage
any other health problems you may have during your cancer
treatment, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Often
the primary healthcare provider coordinates treatments and
communication among the other specialists on the team.
A medical oncologist is a doctor who has had special
training in the treatment of cancer. He or she sees patients
after they have been diagnosed with cancer and prescribes
chemotherapy and recommends other cancer treatments. Your
oncologist may be a team leader, keeping a check on all
treatments and making referrals to other specialists as
needed.
Radiation oncologists are doctors who have special training
in the use of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is the
use of high-energy rays to shrink or destroy tumors. These
doctors determine the dosage and scheduling of radiation
treatments and they manage side effects. Another type of
specialist, the radiation technologist, performs the
radiation treatment.
Surgeons are doctors who remove tissue for diagnosis, insert
special tubes called catheters for giving chemotherapy, and
do operations to remove cancerous tissue.
Oncology nurses provide nursing care to cancer patients.
They give medicine and watch for side effects. They can
give tips and advice for dealing with drug side effects and
problems caused by the cancer. Nurses may care for you at
the hospital, outpatient clinics, or home.
Dietitians design a diet to meet your particular needs. They
can help you know how to get the calories and nutrients you
need during your illness and treatment. The diet will help
you maintain a healthy weight. Proper nutrition can make it
easier for your body to fight the cancer. A healthy diet
will also help fight the side effects of treatments and any
infections that might develop. Dietitians can also give you
tips about increasing your appetite if you have nausea,
stomach upset, or tiredness from your illness or treatment.
A physical therapist designs an exercise program that is
right for you. Proper exercise can help you maintain muscle
tone and adapt to any physical changes that may result from
your treatment. Physical therapists can provide exercise
even if you are bedridden.
Pharmacists prepare the medicines used in cancer treatment.
These medicines include the drugs used in chemotherapy and
other prescription drugs.
Social workers or psychologists help you cope with the
stress of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They can
provide counseling for you and your family and help you find
a support group. Social workers can help coordinate your
hospital discharge. Psychiatrists are doctors who can
prescribe medicine for depression or anxiety.
Finally, remember that you are the most important member of
this team. Don't be afraid to ask questions and get any
information you need. Let the other members of the team
know when you need help and care.
For more information, contact:
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2007 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
