Geriatric oncologists specialize in providing the best care for older adults.
Oncology
is the study of cancer, and an oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care to a person who has been diagnosed with it. Medical oncologists treat cancer with medications, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. There are also medical terms for oncologists who specialize in caring for specific groups of patients or groups of cancer.Geriatric oncologists work with people with cancer who are 65 years of age or older. Older adults may have additional challenges, so a tumor board is a group of medical experts from all areas of cancer care who work together to decide the best treatment plan. The tumor board may include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgical oncologists, as well as other specialists. Tumor board members can provide a variety of perspectives that can help you get the best care possible. When it comes to finding the right oncologist for you, there are a few things to consider.
What is your health insurance coverage for the different medical services? If you're worried about the costs of cancer care, who can help you? Finding the right cancer doctor (oncologist) can take time. It's important to find a doctor you're comfortable with and who works with you during diagnosis and treatment. Ask the doctor who detected the cancer if you need to find an oncology doctor right away or if you can take time to evaluate your options. Our worksheet called How to Choose a Cancer Doctor can be helpful during this process. It includes tips on how to find the names of cancer doctors and questions that can help you decide who is the best option for you. You can get the names of cancer specialists through different medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American College of Surgeons, or the local medical society.
When these types of cancer occasionally occur in adults, those adult patients may choose to work with a pediatric oncologist. Cancer care teams often include a variety of other healthcare professionals, including pathologists, radiologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, cancer nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and more. Gynecologic oncologists treat cancers in reproductive organs such as the cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Urological oncologists treat cancers of the genitourinary system, such as the bladder, kidneys, penis, prostate, and testicles. Surgical oncologists treat cancer through surgery. That means that different types of oncologists and other healthcare providers work together to create an overall patient treatment plan.
Board-certified physicians have received additional training in special areas such as medical oncology (cancer care), hematology (blood diseases), or gynecological surgery (female reproductive system). You may also want to see a psychiatrist or psycho-oncologist - a psychiatrist who specializes in the psychological challenges of coping with cancer. News evaluated 914 hospitals for their annual list and ranked the top 50 treating a wide range of cancers including lymphoma and breast, kidney and colon cancer. The annual cancer hospital ranking released July 27 evaluated 913 hospitals and ranked the top 50 treating common cancers including cancers of the breast, kidney and colon. This year's rankings are based on data from a period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. American radiation oncologists treat cancer with radiation therapy which involves the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells.
Comprehensive information for people with cancer families and caregivers from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) - the voice of the world's cancer professionals - is available online. Finding an oncologist that is right for you is an important step in getting quality care for your condition. With so many different types of oncologists available it can be difficult to know which one is best suited for your needs. It's important to do your research and ask questions so that you can make an informed decision about which type of oncologist is right for you.
