Your Cancer Treatment Team
The motivational saying goes, “There is no I in ‘team.’” The same is true for a cancer patient’s treatment team, sometimes called a multidisciplinary care team, those medical professionals most involved in the daily care and treatment of cancer. Every cancer patient is surrounded by a group of qualified and trained professionals whose function is to ensure their care and well-being, but the number and variety of professionals within that care team can feel overwhelming.
To help patients better understand the people who are tasked with helping them through treatment and recovery of cancer, here is some basic information about cancer treatment teams.
Medical Oncologist – a medical doctor who uses chemotherapies and other medicines to treat cancer. This doctor often acts as a referring doctor or focal point of treatment, leading and guiding treatment decisions for patients.
Surgical Oncologist – an oncologist who treats cancer through surgery.
Radiation Oncologist – an oncologist who specializes in the treatment of cancer using radiation.
Oncology Nurse – this person specializes in cancer care and may provide a variety of services for cancer patients, initial physical exams during medical appointments, administering chemotherapy, helping patients identify needs, acting as a care coordinator by helping patients schedule appointments and tests, or provide patient education as needed.
Palliative Care Providers – these are doctors or nurses trained to help patients remain comfortable through cancer treatment. Not all cancer patients require palliative care, and their services can often be confused with hospice care. While palliative care can be an important part of end-of-life care, it is also a stand-alone specialty focused on helping cancer patients limit pain and the impact of side effects while in treatment and maintain focus on the patient’s comfort.
Pathologist – a medical doctor who reviews a cancer patient’s cells, tissues, and organs to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Radiologist – a medical doctor who reviews and interprets medical imaging or scans to help diagnose cancer and measure the effectiveness of treatment.
Rehabilitation Therapist – these are physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and recreational therapists that help cancer patients maintain or return to their highest level of functioning during and after treatment.
Oncology Social Worker – medical social workers who specialize in cancer care and helping patients with coping, grief and loss issues, or accessing local resources during treatment.
Written By: Sheila Quirke, MSW
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
