What Kind of Doctor Do I Need?
Since there are a number of different areas our doctors can specialize in, here is a quick list of how to navigate various specialties when searching for doctors.
In addition to being board-certified, many of our doctors are sub-specialists, meaning they have at least one year, and in some cases many years, of additional fellowship training aimed at increasing their expertise in a specific field.
Types of Cancer Specialists
Cancer is primarily treated in three ways: with medicine, with radiation and with surgery. Your team of cancer physicians may include:
- Medical oncologist
- Radiation oncologist
- Surgical oncologists
- Other specialists
You can also consult the key below for a description of specialties.
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Physicians who specialize in skin diseases, including skin cancer.
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Physicians who specialize in diseases of the thyroid, pituitary, pancreas, pineal and adrenal glands. They concentrate on any glands of the endocrine system.
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Physicians who specialize in diseases of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal or GI).
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Physicians who specialize in the treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.
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Physicians who specialize in diseases of the head, neck and throat.
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Physicians who coordinate and oversee your cancer care. Medical oncologists specialize in the medical treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy.
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A care team who focuses on the palliation of a chronically, seriously or terminally ill patients pain and symptoms. They provide care to patients in their home or a home-like setting.
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Physicians who specialize in minimally invasive procedures.
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Physicians who specialize in the diagnosis of disease, including cancer.
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Physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung conditions and diseases.
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Physicians who specialize in the treatment of neurological conditions, including brain and spinal cancer.
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A team of doctors, nurses and pharmacists who help manage symptoms such as pain, nausea or fatigue. They do not cure the disease but help a person be as comfortable as they can be and have the best possible quality of life. They help at any stage of cancer.
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Physicians who specialize in treating cancer in children.
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Physicians who specialize in treating cancer with radiation therapy, or radiation oncologists.
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Physicians with special training in reading x-rays and other types of imaging to diagnose diseases.
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General surgeons, including surgical oncologists.
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Surgeons who specialize in surgery of the mouth and throat.
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Physicians who operate on organs in the chest such as the lungs, the sternum, the diaphragm, ribs and any other associated muscles.
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Physicians who specialize in the treatment of diseases and conditions of the male and female urinary tract and male reproductive organs, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and bladder cancer.