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If you've been diagnosed with cancer, chances are that you will meet
many different medical professionals during your cancer treatment. The
following list describes the health professionals that might be
involved in your care at some time during your cancer experience.
anesthesiologist:
a doctor who specializes in giving drugs or other agents that cause a
complete or total loss of feeling or relieve pain, especially during
surgery. These medications may put the patient into a deep sleep so
that he or she is not aware of procedures or surgery.
case manager:
the member of a cancer care team, often a nurse or cancer nurse
specialist, who coordinates the patient's care throughout diagnosis,
treatment, and recovery. The goal of case managing is that one person
is directing or overseeing a patient's care. For example, a case
manager may guide the patient through the complex system of health care
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 provides for the spiritual needs of the
patient and family. Often a chaplain is trained to minister to patients
of many denominations and faith belief systems.
dermatologist:
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,
registered (RD): an expert in the area of nutrition and
food who has at least a bachelor's degree and has passed a nationally
administered board exam. Many RDs specialize in areas such as weight
management, exercise science, cancer care, or cardiac rehabilitation.
See also, nutritionist.
doctor of
osteopathic medicine (DO): a doctor with licensing and
educational backgrounds similar to medical doctors (MDs). 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.
dosimetrist:
a person who calculates and plans the proper radiation dose (the
amount, rate, and how the dose is spread out) for cancer treatment or
other disorders that require radiation treatment. Some of the factors
that determine radiation dose include body size, sex, and age.
endocrinologist:
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: 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
gastroenterologist:
a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive
(gastrointestinal or GI) tract including the stomach, intestines,
gallbladder, and bile duct
genetic
counselor: a specially trained health professional who:
- helps people decide whether to have genetic testing done
- helps people understand information about the risk of
occurrence of a genetic disorder within a family
- provides information and advice about the courses of action
available depending on the results
- helps determine whatever screening and preventive measures
are best for them
gynecologic
oncologist: a doctor who specializes in cancers of
women's reproductive organs
gynecologist:
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:
a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming
tissues
home health
nurse: a nurse who gives nursing care in the home,
including administration of medications and certain treatments; teaches
patients and families about their care; and checks out the patient’s
condition to see if further medical attention is needed
medical
oncologist: a doctor who is specially trained to diagnose
and treat cancer with chemotherapy and other drugs. A medical
oncologist is different from a surgical oncologist, who mostly treats
cancer with surgery and other invasive procedures.
neonatologist:
a doctor who specializes in the care of the newborn (until about 4,
weeks of age)
nephrologist:
a doctor who specializes in diseases of the kidneys
neurosurgeon: a
doctor specializing in operations to treat disorders involving the
brain, spinal cord, or nerves
nurse
practitioner: a registered nurse with a master's or
doctoral degree who has advanced training and clinical experience in a
certain area of medical practice. Licensed nurse practitioners diagnose
and manage illness and disease, usually working closely with a doctor.
In many states, they may prescribe medications.
nutritionist: a
term used sometimes interchangeably with dietician, but there are no
educational requirements that come with this title. See also, dietician, registered.
occupational
therapist (OT): a licensed and specially trained health
professional who uses purposeful activity with people who are limited
by physical illness or injury, psychosocial problems, poverty or
cultural differences, or the aging process to maximize independence,
prevent disability, and maintain health. The practice of occupational
therapy includes evaluation, treatment, and consultation.
oncologist:
a doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
oncology
clinical nurse specialist: a registered nurse with a
master's degree and advanced clinical practice in oncology nursing who
specializes in the care of cancer patients. Oncology nurse specialists
have several different roles depending on the setting. They may give
direct patient or family care; supervise staff’s care of patients and
families; do nursing research related to cancer patients; or teach
patients, families, and staff about cancer, treatment, and side
effects.
oncology 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:
a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and
treatment of diseases of the eye
oral and
maxillofacial surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in
surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face
orthopedic
surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in diseases and
injuries of the muscles and bones, also called the musculoskeletal
system
otolaryngologist:
a doctor who specializes in diseases and injuries of the
ear, nose, and throat. Also called a head and neck surgeon.
pain specialists:
oncologists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and other
doctors, nurses, or pharmacists who are experts in pain management.
Often there is a team of health professionals who are available to
address issues of pain control.
pathologist: a
doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and classification of diseases
by laboratory tests such as examination of tissue and cells under a
microscope. The pathologist determines whether or not a tumor contains
cancer, and, if it is cancer, the exact cell type and grade.
pediatrician: a
doctor who specializes in the prevention of illness and primary health
care and treatment of diseases in children
pediatric
oncologist: a doctor who specializes in the care of
children with cancer
physical
therapist (PT): a licensed health professional, who has
at least a bachelor's degree in physical therapy, who assists in the
examination, testing, and treatment of physically disabled people by
the use of exercises, application of heat or cold, and other methods to
restore or maintain the body's strength, mobility, and function
plastic and
reconstructive surgeon: a surgeon specializing in
altering or restoring appearance or in the reconstruction of 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 arises. A primary care doctor could
be a general practitioner, a family practice doctor, a gynecologist, a
pediatrician, or an internal medicine doctor (an internist).
psychiatric
clinical nurse specialist (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 provide
assessment, counseling, or teaching for patients or families. He or she
may also have a role in supervising mental health care or doing
research in psychiatric nursing.
psychiatrist: a
medical doctor specializing in the causes, treatment, and prevention of
mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists provide
counseling therapy and can also prescribe medications or other
treatments.
psychologist:
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, and may provide testing and
counseling services to patients who may have an emotional or mental
health problem.
pulmonologist:
a doctor who has specialized experience and knowledge in the diagnosis
and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases
radiation
oncologist: a doctor who specializes in the use of
radiation to treat cancer
radiation
therapist: a person with special training to work the
equipment that delivers radiation therapy. This expert often assists
the patient in getting into the correct 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 educate the patient
about treatment before it is delivered and help manage any side effects
of treatment.
radiologic
technologist: 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: a
doctor with special training in diagnosing diseases by interpreting
(reading) x-rays and other types of imaging studies. Two examples are
CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
respiratory
therapist: a graduate of a program which has been
approved by the American Medical Association designed to qualify the
person for a national exam given by the National Board of Respiratory
Care. The respiratory therapist gives respiratory care under the
direction of a doctor. This can include breathing treatments and
managing patients on ventilators. A CRTT or certified respiratory therapy technician
may also examine the patient, collect additional information about lung
function, and may assemble 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 (often called impotence),
orgasm dysfunction, 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 a couple and not just an individual.
social worker: a
health professional with special training in dealing with social,
emotional, and environmental problems associated with illness or
disability. A social worker may help people find community resources,
and provide counseling and guidance to assist 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 and
also make sure that patients can eat and drink safely with a normal
swallowing reflex.
surgeon:
a doctor who performs operations
surgical
oncologist: a doctor who specializes in using surgery to
treat cancer
thoracic
surgeon: a doctor who performs surgery to the chest
cavity, including the lungs, ribs, the sternum, the diaphragm, and
associated muscles
urologist:
a doctor who specializes in treating problems of the urinary tract in
men and women, and of the genital organs in men
Revised: 07/12/2007
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