Types of oncologists
Cancer care is a team sport. The right specialist (or team of specialists) depends on the cancer type, stage, and the kind of treatment under consideration.
- Medical oncologist — manages chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and overall treatment coordination. Often the first oncologist a patient sees after diagnosis.
- Surgical oncologist — performs cancer-directed surgery (tumor resection, lymph node sampling). For many cancers, the primary surgeon may be the organ specialist (e.g., a breast surgeon, urologic oncologist, thoracic surgeon).
- Radiation oncologist — plans and delivers radiation therapy (external beam, brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiation).
- Gynecologic oncologist — surgical and medical specialist for ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers.
- Hematologist-oncologist — manages cancers of the blood and lymphatic system (leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma) and non-cancerous blood disorders.
- Pediatric hematologist-oncologist — cares for cancers in patients under 18.
- Neuro-oncologist — specializes in brain and central nervous system tumors, in partnership with neurosurgery.
What to bring to a first oncology visit
- All imaging on a CD or via a portal share (CT, MRI, PET, mammograms)
- Pathology reports and, if possible, the actual slides or block (your hospital's records department can request this from the original pathology lab)
- A complete list of current medications and supplements, with doses
- Insurance card and any prior authorization paperwork already started
- A list of all prior surgeries and dates
- Family cancer history (first- and second-degree relatives, types, and ages at diagnosis) — this matters for genetic testing decisions
- A trusted person who can listen and take notes
- Your own list of questions, written down
Useful questions to ask before starting treatment
- What is the exact cancer type, grade, and stage? Are there biomarker or genomic test results that matter?
- What are the standard treatment options for this stage, and what does the evidence say about each?
- What clinical trials might I be eligible for?
- What are the side effects of each option, both short-term and long-term?
- What is the goal of treatment — cure, control, comfort?
- Would a second opinion at a comprehensive cancer center change the plan?
- Who is my point of contact between visits, and how do I reach them after hours?
Clinical trials
Cancer clinical trials are how most new treatments are validated. The federal registry of US trials lives at ClinicalTrials.gov. The National Cancer Institute also maintains a curated, patient-friendly search at cancer.gov. Most major cancer centers have a clinical trials office that can match you to studies you might qualify for — ask at your first visit.