Multidisciplinary Care
Cancer services of the best oncology hospital in India are aligned towards a patient-centric model of care with multidisciplinary coordination between pathology, radiology, surgery, and medical and radiation oncology to estimate the optimal multidisciplinary, stage-specific treatment plan for a given patient and cancer presentation.
Coordination Among Oncologists
Oncologists are healthcare professionals specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In your cancer care journey, you may come across distinct types of oncologists and oncology staff, each playing a critical role in your treatment intervention.
- Primary Care Physician (PCP): Your journey may commence with your PCP, who first observes manifestations or suggests tests that reveal a potent issue. They can refer you to an oncologist for further evaluation and treatment.
- Medical Oncologist: They specialize in cancer treatment using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other systemic treatments. They often coordinate your complete treatment plan, comprising managing chemotherapy regimens, prescribing medicines, and monitoring your progress.
- Surgical Oncologist: When surgery is part of your treatment regimen, a surgical oncologist will conduct the surgical process to excise tumors or impacted tissues. They work closely with other oncologists to ensure surgery is appropriately timed and integrated into your overall treatment strategy.
- Radiation Oncologist: They specialize in employing radiation therapy to treat cancer. They design and overlook radiation treatment plans tailored to your specific cancer type and stage. Radiation therapy may be utilized as a major treatment or along with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
- Hematologist-Oncologist: If your cancer impacts the blood or lymphatic system (for instance, leukemia, lymphoma, etc.), a hemato-oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating these conditions. They may overlook treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplants.
- Pathologist: They play a crucial role in your diagnosis by examining tissue samples (biopsies) and identifying cancer cells under a microscope. They provide important information about the type, grade, and stage of cancer, which guides treatment decisions.
- Radiologist: They interpret imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans to help diagnose cancer, assess its staging, and monitor treatment response. They collaborate with other oncologists to track the progress of your treatment.
- Palliative Care Specialist: They may provide care and support as you and your loved ones face the challenges of living with cancer. These doctors and nurses can help you sort through information to make medical decisions, assist with designing plans for living well during and after your cancer treatment, or prescribe medicines to control pain, breathing issues, or other uncomfortable symptoms.
- Genetic Counselor: They assess your chances of developing hereditary cancer based on your personal and family medical history. They impart education about genetic testing choices and help you understand the implications of genetic test results for yourself and your family members.
- Oncology Nurses: They are specially trained in the care of cancer patients. Working with your doctors, they will carefully check your progress as partners in your journey. Oncology nurses may also give you the medications your doctors prescribe. If you are part of a clinical trial testing a new treatment, research nurses will check on you and take any concerns or questions to your doctor.
- Oncology Social Workers: They provide counseling and support. They work with the entire healthcare professionals’ team to address your needs, connect you with helpful resources, and discuss your emotional well-being. For example, a social worker may help you and your family find a place to stay during treatment if your cancer center is far from home. A social worker might help you with payment or other cancer-related financial issues.
Throughout your cancer care journey, these oncologists and other healthcare professionals work together, often in multidisciplinary teams, to formulate and implement a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your individual requirements. Communication and coordination among team members are crucial to ensure you obtain the best possible care and bolster at every stage of your journey.
