Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGetting a ReferralRoleSelectionSpecialists
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Getting a Referral
Role
Selection
Specialists
Anoncologistis a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating cancer.
A primary care healthcare provider will typically refer an individual to an oncologist if they suspect the person may havecancer, often after using diagnostic tests and tools.
There are different types of oncologists, including medical, radiation, preventative medicine, surgical, and palliative medicine. Oncologists may also specialize in certain types of cancers.
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Getting an Oncologist Referral
If you have signs of cancer or a diagnosis of cancer, your healthcare provider is likely to give you a referral to see an oncologist.
Choosing an oncologist is an important decision. Ask the healthcare provider who gave you the referral if you need to find one right away or if you can take some time to consider your options.
Some strategies to consider while choosing an oncologist include:
When you have names of oncologists that might be a good fit for you:
Online DirectoriesAmerican Board of Medical Specialties,verify certificationAmerican Medical Association,find a doctorAmerican College of Surgeons (ACS),find a surgeon, hospital, or ACS programAmerican Society for Radiology Oncology (ASTRO),search for radiation oncologistsAmerican Society of Hematology,find a hematologistAmerican Brain Tumor Association,find a brain tumor treatment centerFoundation For Women’s Cancer,find a gynecologic oncologistSociety of Urologic Oncology,find a provider who specializes in urologic cancers
Online Directories
American Board of Medical Specialties,verify certificationAmerican Medical Association,find a doctorAmerican College of Surgeons (ACS),find a surgeon, hospital, or ACS programAmerican Society for Radiology Oncology (ASTRO),search for radiation oncologistsAmerican Society of Hematology,find a hematologistAmerican Brain Tumor Association,find a brain tumor treatment centerFoundation For Women’s Cancer,find a gynecologic oncologistSociety of Urologic Oncology,find a provider who specializes in urologic cancers
Role of Oncologist in Diagnosis and Treatment
An oncologist is trained to investigate, diagnose, andtreat people who have canceror are suspected of having cancer. An oncologist manages the care of the person with cancer throughout the disease, starting with a diagnosis.
Roles an oncologist may take include:
There are several types of oncologists, and a person may be under the care of more than one during the course of their illness and treatment. A medical oncologist is often the main doctor for a person with cancer. This type of oncologist often makes the diagnosis. A medical oncologist treats cancer with drugs and can help manage side effects from chemotherapy treatments.
The first appointment with an oncologist may involve:
Subspecialties and Associated Team Members
The three main types of oncologists are:
Other types of oncologists include:
General Oncologists vs. Ones That Treat Specialty Types of CancerAll oncologists have an area of focus, but a medical oncologist is often the main healthcare provider for a person with cancer. They may also give supportive care and coordinate treatment with other specialists.Some oncologists limit their services to specific types of cancers, such as lung, breast,colorectal, or prostate. This can be advantageous if you have a rare type of cancer or a cancer that is difficult to treat.The National Cancer Institute has adatabase of cancer typeswhere you can find information on specific types of cancers.
General Oncologists vs. Ones That Treat Specialty Types of Cancer
All oncologists have an area of focus, but a medical oncologist is often the main healthcare provider for a person with cancer. They may also give supportive care and coordinate treatment with other specialists.Some oncologists limit their services to specific types of cancers, such as lung, breast,colorectal, or prostate. This can be advantageous if you have a rare type of cancer or a cancer that is difficult to treat.The National Cancer Institute has adatabase of cancer typeswhere you can find information on specific types of cancers.
All oncologists have an area of focus, but a medical oncologist is often the main healthcare provider for a person with cancer. They may also give supportive care and coordinate treatment with other specialists.
Some oncologists limit their services to specific types of cancers, such as lung, breast,colorectal, or prostate. This can be advantageous if you have a rare type of cancer or a cancer that is difficult to treat.
The National Cancer Institute has adatabase of cancer typeswhere you can find information on specific types of cancers.
How to Vet Oncologists Near You
Consider what you want from your oncologist. This may include:
Questions you may want to ask the oncologist about their care include:
The American Cancer Society recommends some questions you can ask to determine how comfortable you feel with the oncologist. Did the oncologist:
If you are willing and able to travel, you can research the leading specialists in the field that is most specific to your needs and see if care from them is a possibility.
Oncologists who are affiliated with respected medical schools may have contacts who are medical experts around the country and may know more about the latest treatments.
The American Cancer Society also offers alist of questions and a worksheet, which can help when choosing a hospital or cancer center.
The Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States offers asearch toolyou can use to verify a doctor’s license.
Oncology Training and Education
Board-certified doctorshave had extra training in specific areas, such as medical oncology. Board certified doctors:
For example, the American Board of Internal Medicine states that to become certified in the subspecialty of medical oncology, physicians must:
Not all specialists are board certified.
To inquire if a doctor is board certified, contact theAmerican Board of Medical Specialties.
Specialists Who Work With Oncologists
Cancer treatment is often a team approach between oncologists and other healthcare professionals, such as:
Summary
An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
It is important to research and choose an oncologist that meets your needs.
Cancer treatment is often a team effort, with oncologists working with other oncologists and professionals such as pathologists, social workers, and dietitians.
Talk to your healthcare provider or oncologistif you have any questions or concerns.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Oncologist.Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.When are patients referred to an oncologist?Cancer Council.Oncology.Healthdirect.The role of an oncologist.American Cancer Society.Choosing a cancer doctor.Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.What does an oncologist do?American Cancer Society.What is oncology?Canadian Cancer Society.Medical oncologist.Duke University Health System.What do cardio-oncologists do, and when do you need one?National Cancer Institute.Medical oncologist.American Board of Internal Medicine.Medical oncology policies.Tallahassee Cancer Institute.What is a medical oncologist?
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Oncologist.Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.When are patients referred to an oncologist?Cancer Council.Oncology.Healthdirect.The role of an oncologist.American Cancer Society.Choosing a cancer doctor.Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.What does an oncologist do?American Cancer Society.What is oncology?Canadian Cancer Society.Medical oncologist.Duke University Health System.What do cardio-oncologists do, and when do you need one?National Cancer Institute.Medical oncologist.American Board of Internal Medicine.Medical oncology policies.Tallahassee Cancer Institute.What is a medical oncologist?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Oncologist.Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.When are patients referred to an oncologist?Cancer Council.Oncology.Healthdirect.The role of an oncologist.American Cancer Society.Choosing a cancer doctor.Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.What does an oncologist do?American Cancer Society.What is oncology?Canadian Cancer Society.Medical oncologist.Duke University Health System.What do cardio-oncologists do, and when do you need one?National Cancer Institute.Medical oncologist.American Board of Internal Medicine.Medical oncology policies.Tallahassee Cancer Institute.What is a medical oncologist?
National Cancer Institute.Oncologist.
Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.When are patients referred to an oncologist?
Cancer Council.Oncology.
Healthdirect.The role of an oncologist.
American Cancer Society.Choosing a cancer doctor.
Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center.What does an oncologist do?
American Cancer Society.What is oncology?
Canadian Cancer Society.Medical oncologist.
Duke University Health System.What do cardio-oncologists do, and when do you need one?
National Cancer Institute.Medical oncologist.
American Board of Internal Medicine.Medical oncology policies.
Tallahassee Cancer Institute.What is a medical oncologist?
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