What Kind of Doctor Do I Need?

Since doctors can specialize in a number of different areas, here is a quick list to help you navigate specialties when searching for doctors.

In addition to being board-certified, many of our doctors are sub-specialists. Sub-specialists have at least one year, and in some cases many years, of additional fellowship training to increase 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.

Dermatology

Physicians who specialize in skin diseases, including skin cancer.
Endocrinology

Physicians who specialize in diseases of the thyroid, pituitary, pancreas, pineal and adrenal glands. They concentrate on any glands of the endocrine system.
Gastroenterology

Physicians who specialize in diseases of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal or GI system).
Gynecologic Oncology

Physicians who specialize in the treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.
Head and Neck Surgery

Physicians who specialize in diseases of the head, neck and throat.
Hematology and Oncology

Physicians who coordinate and oversee your cancer care. Medical oncologists specialize in the medical treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy.
Interventional Radiology

Physicians who specialize in minimally invasive image-guided procedures.
Pathology

Physicians who specialize in the diagnosis of disease, including cancer based on laboratory analysis of bodily fluids.
Neurology or Neurosurgery

Physicians who specialize in the treatment of neurological conditions, including brain and spinal cancer.
Palliative Care

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.
Pediatric - Hematology/Oncology

Physicians who specialize in treating cancer in children.
Radiation Oncology

Physicians who specialize in treating cancer with radiation therapy.
Radiology

Physicians with special training in reading x-rays and other types of imaging to diagnose diseases.
Surgery

General surgeons, including surgical oncologists.
Surgery - Oral and Maxillofacial

Surgeons who specialize in surgery of the mouth and throat.
Thoracic Surgery

Physicians who operate on organs in the chest such as the lungs, the sternum, the diaphragm, ribs and any other associated muscles.
Urology

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.