Health Professionals
Associated With Cancer Care

If you've been diagnosed with cancer, chances are that you will meet many different medical professionals during your cancer treatment.You will find that many of them are "specialists" or "specialize" in certain areas of medicine or mental health. This means that they have had extra training that focuses on a certain type of treatment, body system, or health problem.

anesthesiologist (an-es-thee-zee-AHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in giving drugs or other agents (like gasses) that cause a total loss of feeling or relieve pain, especially during surgery. These drugs may put the patient into a deep sleep so that he or she is not aware of procedures or surgery.

case manager: a member of the cancer care team who coordinates the patient's care throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery; often a nurse or cancer nurse specialist. The goal of case managing is that one person is directing or overseeing a patient's care. For example, a case manager may help the patient get through the complexities of the health care system by working with the health insurance company, getting quicker responses to important questions, managing crises, and connecting the patient and family to needed resources.

chaplain: a member of the clergy who attends to the spiritual needs of the patient and family. Often a chaplain is trained to minister to patients of many denominations, faiths, and beliefs.

dermatologist (der-muh-TAHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. A dermatological oncologist has specialized training in diagnosing and treating skin cancers.

dietitian (die-uh-tish-un), registered (RD): an expert in the area of nutrition and food who has at least a bachelor's degree and has passed a national board exam. Many RDs specialize in areas like weight management, exercise science, cancer care, or cardiac rehabilitation. See also nutritionist.

doctor of osteopathic (os-tee-uh-PATH-ick) medicine (DO): a doctor with a licensing and educational background much like that of a medical doctor (MD). They tend to be primary care physicians and are specially trained to use a "whole person" approach to medicine rather than just treating specific symptoms. See also primary care physician.

dosimetrist (doe-sim-uh-trist): a person who calculates and plans the correct radiation dose (the amount, rate, and how the dose is spread out) for cancer treatment or other diseases that require radiation treatment. Some of the factors that determine radiation dose include body size, sex, and age.

endocrinologist (en-duh-kruh-NAHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diseases related to the glands of the endocrine system, such as the thyroid, pituitary, pancreas, pineal, and adrenal glands.

enterostomal therapist (en-ter-o-STO-mal ther-uh-pist): a registered nurse who is qualified by education in an accredited program in enterostomal therapy to teach people how to care for ostomies (surgically created openings such as a colostomy or urostomy) and other wounds. Also called an ostomy nurse or a wound care nurse.

gastroenterologist (gas-tro-en-ter-AHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive (gastrointestinal or GI) tract including the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, gallbladder, and bile duct.

genetic (juh-net-ick) counselor: a specially trained health professional who:

• Helps people decide whether to have genetic testing done
• Helps people understand the risk of occurrence of a genetic disorder within a family
• Provides information about the options available depending on the results of genetic testing
• Helps the patient consider the screening and preventive measures that are best based on the test results

gynecologic oncologist (guy-nuh-kuh-LA-jik on-kahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in cancers of women's reproductive organs.

gynecologist (guy-nuh-KAHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in women's health, including their sexual and reproductive function and the diseases of their reproductive organs, except diseases of the breast that require surgery.

hematologist (he-muh-TAHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues.

home health nurse: a nurse who provides care in the patient's home, including giving medicines and certain treatments; teaches patients and families about their care; and checks on the patient to see if further medical attention is needed.

licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN): a nurse who has completed a year or so of technical health training, and passed a licensing test. This nurse may give medicines, help patients with physical hygiene and care, and perform many other health care-related tasks.

medical oncologist (on-kahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer with chemotherapy and other drugs. A medical oncologist is different from a surgical oncologist, who mostly treats cancer with surgery.

neonatologist (nee-o-nay-TAHL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in the care of newborn babies (until about 6 weeks of age, longer for babies who are born prematurely).

nephrologist (neh-frahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in kidney diseases.

neurosurgeon (nur-o-SUR-jun): a doctor who specializes in operations to treat problems involving the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.

nurse practitioner (nurs prak-tih-shun-er): a registered nurse with a master's or doctoral degree who has advanced training and clinical experience in a certain area of medical and nursing practice. Licensed and certified nurse practitioners diagnose and manage illness and disease, usually working closely with a doctor. In most states, they also prescribe medicines.

nutritionist (noo-trih-shun-ist): a term used sometimes interchangeably with dietitian, but educational requirements for nutritionists vary by state. Programs to certify nutritionists now exist, but again, requirements vary. See also dietitian, registered.

occupational (ok-you-PAY-shun-uhl) therapist (OT): a licensed and specially trained health professional who works with people who have disabilities to help them relearn how to perform daily activities so that they can be as independent as possible. They also work to prevent disability and maintain health. The practice of occupational therapy includes evaluation, treatment, and consultation.

oncologist (on-kahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.

oncology clinical nurse specialist (on-kahl-o-jee klin-ih-kull nurs spesh-uh-list) (CNS): a registered nurse with a master's degree and advanced clinical practice in oncology nursing who specializes in the care of cancer patients. Oncology CNSs have many different roles depending on the setting. They may give direct patient or family care; supervise staff caring for patients and families; do nursing research related to cancer patients; or teach patients, families, and staff about cancer, treatment, and side effects.

oncology (on-kahl-o-jee) social worker: usually a person with a master's degree in medical social work who is an expert in coordinating and providing help with the social and emotional needs of the cancer patient and family. The oncology social worker may do counseling, help patients and families manage financial problems, work on housing or child care issues (when treatments must be taken at a facility away from home), and help people cope with different types of emotional distress.

ophthalmologist (off-thuhl-MA-luh-jist): a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye diseases.

oral and maxillofacial (max-ill-o-FAY-shul) surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face.

orthopedic (or-thuh-pee-dik) surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in diseases and injuries of the muscles and bones, also called the musculoskeletal system.

otolaryngologist (o-toe-lair-in-GOL-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diseases and injuries of the ear, nose, and throat. Also called an ENT (which stand for ears, nose, and throat) or a head and neck surgeon.

pain specialists: oncologists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, or other doctors, nurses, or pharmacists who are experts in pain management. In many places there is a team of health professionals who are available to address issues of pain control.

pathologist (path-all-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and classifying diseases by lab tests, such as looking at tissue and cells under a microscope. The pathologist determines whether a tumor contains cancer, and, if it is cancer, the exact cell type and grade.

pediatric oncologist (pee-dee-AT-trick on-kahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in caring for children with cancer.

pediatrician (pee-dee-uh-TRISH-un): a doctor who specializes in caring for children, including the prevention of illness, primary health care, and the treatment of diseases.

physical (fiz-ick-uhl) therapist (PT): a licensed health professional, who has at least a bachelor's degree in physical therapy, who helps examine, test, and treat physically disabled people by using exercises, heat, cold, and other methods to restore or maintain the body's strength, mobility, and function.

plastic and reconstructive (re-kon-STRUCK-tiv) surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in altering or restoring appearance or in rebuilding removed or injured body parts. In reconstruction, the surgeon may use tissue from the patient or some special material with the right consistency to hold a shape or form over time.

primary care physician: the doctor a person would normally see first when a medical symptom or problem comes up. A primary care physician could be a general practitioner, a family practice doctor, a gynecologist, a pediatrician, or an internal medicine doctor (an internist).

psychiatric clinical nurse specialist (sy-key-AT-rick klin-ih-kull nurs spesh-uh-list) (CNS): a registered nurse with a master's degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing who specializes in the mental health of patients. The psychiatric CNS may assess, counsel, or teach patients and/or families. He or she may also have a role in supervising mental health care or doing research in psychiatric nursing.

psychiatrist (sy-ky-uh-trist): a medical doctor specializing in the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists provide counseling therapy and can also prescribe medicines or other treatments.

psychologist (sy-kahl-uh-gist): a health professional who specializes in the study of the structure and function of the mind and related mental processes in humans and animals. A clinical psychologist has a graduate degree in psychology and training in clinical psychology. He or she may provide testing and counseling services to patients who may have an emotional or mental health problem.

pulmonologist (pull-muh-NAHL-uh-jist): a doctor who has specialized experience and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of lung (pulmonary) conditions and diseases.

radiation oncologist (ray-dee-A-shun on-kahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in the use of radiation to treat cancer.

radiation therapist (ray-dee-A-shun ther-uh-pist): a person with special training to work the equipment that delivers radiation therapy. This expert often helps the patient get into the right position for treatment and then actually gives the treatment.

radiation therapy nurse: a registered nurse who is an expert in the radiation therapy care of patients. This nurse may teach the patient about treatment before it starts and help manage any treatment side effects.

radiologic technologist (ray-dee-uh-LAH-jick teck-nah-luh-jist): a health professional (not a doctor) trained to position patients for x-rays, take the images, and then develop and check the images for quality. The films taken by the technologist are then sent to a radiologist to be read.

radiologist (ray-dee-AH-luh-jist): a doctor with special training in diagnosing diseases by interpreting (reading) x-rays and other types of imaging studies that make pictures of the inside of the body.

registered nurse (RN): a professional nurse who has completed a college program and passed a national examination. RNs may assess, educate, and treat patients, families, or even communities. They may work in almost any health specialty, and can obtain further education to qualify for advanced practice such as oncology nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, and others.

respiratory therapist (RES-per-uh-tor-ee ther-uh-pist): a professional who gives respiratory care under the direction of a doctor. This can include breathing treatments and managing patients on ventilators (breathing machines). A CRTT or certified respiratory therapy technician may also examine the patient, collect information about lung function, and may set up and maintain respiratory equipment, such as ventilators.

sex therapist: a mental health professional with special training in diagnosing and treating sexual disorders and problems with sexual functioning. These problems may include erectile dysfunction (ED, often called impotence), orgasm problems, premature ejaculation, and lack of sexual desire. Sex therapy may include education, special exercises, and work on improved communication between partners. It is common for a sex therapist to work with the couple and not just the individual.

social worker: a health professional with special training in dealing with social, emotional, and environmental problems that may come with illness or disability. A social worker may help people find community resources, and provide counseling and guidance to help with issues such as insurance coverage, nursing home placement, and emotional distress.

speech therapist: a person specially trained to work with people who have problems with their speech, such as a loss of the ability to speak or problems speaking clearly. Speech therapists treat patients with exercises and other techniques to restore speech or other communication skills. They also make sure that patients can eat and drink safely if they have swallowing problems.

surgeon: a doctor who performs operations.

surgical oncologist (on-kahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in using surgery to treat cancer.

thoracic (thuh-ras-ick) surgeon: a doctor who operates on organs in the chest, including the lungs, ribs, the sternum (breast bone), the diaphragm (the muscle that helps breathing), and other associated muscles.

urologist (yur-ahl-uh-jist): a doctor who specializes in treating problems of the urinary tract in men and women, and of the genital organs in men.

Additional resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

We have selected some related information that may also be helpful to you. You can order these materials from our toll-free number, 1-800-227-2345, or read them on our Web site at www.cancer.org.

Talking With Your Doctor (also available in Spanish)

Choosing a Doctor and a Hospital (also available in Spanish)

Glossary: Definitions and Phonetic Pronunciations (available in Spanish as Glossary: Spanish Definitions of Cancer Related Terms)

National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Programs

Pediatric Cancer Centers

After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families (also available in Spanish)

A Message of Hope: Coping With Cancer in Everyday Life (also available in Spanish)

Children with Cancer in the Family: Dealing With Diagnosis (also available in Spanish)

Children Diagnosed With Cancer: Understanding the Health Care System (also available in Spanish)

National organizations and Web sites*

Along with the American Cancer Society, other sources that can give you information and help you find a doctor include:

American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
Toll-free number: 1-866-ASK-ABMS or 1-866-275-2267
Web site: www.abms.org

Umbrella organization for the 24 approved medical specialty boards in the US that keeps a list of all board-certified physicians. Find out if a specific doctor is certified by an ABMS Board via the Web site or phone number. Searches for doctors in your region can be done only on the Web site.

American Medical Association (AMA)
Toll-free number: 1-800-262-3211
Web site: www.ama-assn.org

Web site offers information on specific doctors by name, or search for doctors by specialty and geographic location. (Choose the "Doctor Finder" tab on the AMA Web site home page, and then click on the "Patients" section.) Also offers "Health Careers" which lists and describes many types of careers in health care.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Web site: www.cancer.net

Offers listings of oncologists by region, oncology specialty, and/or board certification in the "Find an Oncologist" database -- ASCO's worldwide member oncologist locator. Choose "Find a Cancer Doctor" from the home page

No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for cancer-related information and support. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.