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Finding a Cancer Doctor

Learning that you have cancer can be one of the most difficult moments for you and your family. Finding the right doctor or team of doctors for your cancer care is one of the first steps to getting the best treatment possible. Part of the challenge in obtaining this treatment is understanding what types of specialists can best help you. This page provides you with:

• General information about the specialties and subspecialties that take care of cancer patients
• Resources to help you find a cancer doctor
• Tips for choosing a doctor and having a successful appointment

General Information about the specialties and subspecialties that take care of cancer patients

• Medical Oncology - a subspecialty of internal medicine. Medical oncologists complete a three-year internal medicine residency and a two-year fellowship in medical oncology. This may be part of a three-year fellowship in hematology/oncology. Medical oncologists treat cancer with chemotherapy and other medicines. They also help coordinate symptom management, pain control, palliative care and hospice care. These physicians are board certified by the American Board or Internal Medicine. There is also a subspecialty board certification in hematology and a board certification in medical oncology.
• Hematology - Hematologists treat diseases of the blood and related tissues, including the bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes.
• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - These physicians are pediatricians who have chosen to specialize in the hematology/oncology care of children from birth to young adulthood. They have completed a three-year residency in pediatrics and a three-year fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology. There is a board certification in pediatric hematology/oncology.
• Radiation Oncology - This is a subspecialty of radiology. Radiation therapy uses X-rays and other forms of radiation to treat cancer. Radiation oncologists complete a one-year preliminary residency and a four-year radiation oncology residency. There is a board certification in radiation oncology.
• Surgery/Surgical Oncology - Surgery is a specialty that treats cancer and other diseases with operative procedures (operations).

General surgeons - General surgeons perform operations on almost any area of the body. Usually, general surgeons complete a five- to six-year residency with training in breast disease, thyroid, skin, stomach, intestinal, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, esophageal and soft tissue/muscle tumors. Many general surgeons gain further expertise and knowledge about specific areas within general surgery (such as breast care or liver/hepatobiliary) surgery as part of their practice. There is a board certification in general surgery from the American Board of Surgery.

Surgical Oncology -Surgical oncologists are general surgeons who have completed a one- to two-year additional clinical fellowship with/without additional research time. During their fellowship, surgical oncologist gain additional expertise in complex cancer cases and multidisciplinary care. There is no board certification in surgical oncology.

There are other subspecialties that provide cancer surgery care including:

• Urology - perform operations on tumors of the kidney, bladder, and ureters
• Neurosurgery - perform operations for tumors of the brain and spinal cord
• Head and Neck/Otolaryngology - perform operations for tumors of the mouth, neck and head
• Orthopedic Oncology - perform operations for tumors in the bones, muscles and soft tissues.
• Thoracic Oncology - perform operations in the chest area including the lungs and the esophagus.
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - perform operations to rebuild or replace tissue that has been removed.
• Other information about specialties that treat cancer is available from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Resources to help you find a cancer doctor
There are many resources available to help you find the right physician and/or team of physicians to treat your cancer. You will want to find the physician and program that has the knowledge, skills and personality to deal with your specific situation. In the end, you must be comfortable with whomever is taking care of you. Below are some suggestions and resources to help you find a cancer doctor:

• One way to find a doctor who specializes in cancer care is to ask your primary care physician. You may know a specialist yourself or talk to family members, friends and coworkers.
• Inova Health System's physician directory provides information about physicians who are affiliated with Inova and provide cancer care. You can search for a physician’s self-identified specialty, location and practice type. Inova Health System's HealthSource can also very useful in helping you identify the right doctor. For breast cancer patients, the breast navigator can be helpful in identifying appropriate contacts. She can be reached at 703-776-3120.
• The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) provides a list of doctors who have met certain education and training requirements and have passed specialty examinations.
• The American College of Surgeons (ACS) database is an online list of surgeons who are members of the ACS.
• Local medical societies may maintain lists of doctors in each specialty.
• Your specific health insurance plan may limit your choice of physicians. Contact your insurance company for a list of participating primary care doctors and specialists. Be sure to ask your insurance company if the doctor you choose is accepting new patients.

Tips for choosing a doctor and having a successful appointment

To make an informed decision, you may wish to speak with several doctors before choosing one. When you meet with each doctor, be sure to bring all your previous studies and the films, the reports, any pathology that has been done and copies of your previous work up. Bring a list of questions you want to ask. Do your homework before coming to your appointment.

During your appointment you may want to ask:

• Does the doctor have the education and training to meet my needs?
• What hospitals does the doctor use?
• Does the doctor listen to me and treat me with respect?
• Does the doctor explain things clearly and encourage me to ask questions?
• Who covers for the doctor when he or she is unavailable?
• Is the doctor board certified?
• How often does the doctor take care of this type of cancer?
• How many of these procedures has the doctor performed?