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.
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Endocrinology
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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Gastroenterology
Physicians who specialize in diseases of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal or GI system).
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Gynecologic Oncology
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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Head and Neck Surgery
Physicians who specialize in diseases of the head, neck and throat.
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Hematology and Oncology
Physicians who coordinate and oversee your cancer care. Medical oncologists specialize in the medical treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy.
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Interventional Radiology
Physicians who specialize in minimally invasive image-guided procedures.
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Pathology
Physicians who specialize in the diagnosis of disease, including cancer based on laboratory analysis of bodily fluids.
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Neurology or Neurosurgery
Physicians who specialize in the treatment of neurological conditions, including brain and spinal cancer.
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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.
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Pediatric - Hematology/Oncology
Physicians who specialize in treating cancer in children.
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Radiation Oncology
Physicians who specialize in treating cancer with radiation therapy.
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Radiology
Physicians with special training in reading x-rays and other types of imaging to diagnose diseases.
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Surgery
General surgeons, including surgical oncologists.
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Surgery - Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgeons who specialize in surgery of the mouth and throat.
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Thoracic Surgery
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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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.