At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), experts from many fields work as a team to give you the best care. They help create a plan to treat the cancer. They also support your health and well-being each step of the way. Here are some of the people who might be a part of your care team.
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Experts in diagnosis
Your care team uses blood tests, scans, and other tests to find the cancer’s type, size, where it is, and if it has spread. This is called staging. Our pathology team plays a key role in staging by looking at cells and tissues under a microscope to learn more about the cancer.
Genetic tests help your care team learn more about the cancer. These tests look for changes in the cancer cells. This helps your care team choose drugs that are more likely to work. This is called precision medicine.
Geneticist
A geneticist (jeh-NEH-tih-sist) is a scientist with special training in genes. They study and explain how genes are passed down from parents to their children. Genes affect the way our bodies work, how we look, and more.
Neuroradiologist
A neuroradiologist (NOOR-oh-RAY-dee-AH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in images of the nervous system (brain, head, neck, and spine).
Nuclear medicine physician
A nuclear medicine physician is a doctor with special training in using radioactive drugs to diagnose and treat disease.
Pathologist
A pathologist is a doctor who uses a microscope to make a diagnosis from cell and tissue samples. They analyze the samples to learn the cause and effects of a health issue.
Radiologist
A radiologist is a doctor with special training in using imaging to diagnose and treat disease. Imaging includes X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and more.
Oncologists
Oncologists are doctors with special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. There are many types of oncologists.
Breast oncologist
A breast oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in breast cancer.
Dental oncologist
A dental oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in mouth (oral) cancer. This includes buccal mucosa cancer (inner cheek), floor of the mouth, gum, hard palate, lip, and tongue cancers.
Gastrointestinal oncologist
A gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes anal, colorectal, esophageal, gastric (stomach), liver, and pancreatic cancers, as well as GI stromal tumors and neuroendocrine tumors.
Genitourinary oncologist
A genitourinary (jeh-nih-toh-YOOR-ih-nayr-ee) oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in genitourinary (GU) cancers. This includes bladder, kidney, penis, prostate, and testicular cancers.
Gynecologic oncologist
A gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in gynecologic cancers. This includes cervical, fallopian tube, ovarian, uterine (endometrial), vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
Head and neck oncologist
A head and neck oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in head and neck cancers. This includes cancers of the tonsils, tongue, mouth, lips, larynx, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, and thyroid gland.
Hematologist-oncologist
A hematologist-oncologist is a doctor who treats cancers of the blood. A hematologist (HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist) diagnoses and treats blood disorders. An oncologist is a cancer doctor.
- A bone marrow transplant specialist is a doctor with special training in bone marrow transplants.
- A cellular therapy specialist is a doctor with special training in using cell therapies to treat health conditions such as cancer. Therapies can include chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy.
- A leukemia specialist is a doctor with special training in diagnosing and treating leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh). This cancer starts in tissue that forms blood, such as bone marrow.
- A lymphoma specialist is a doctor with special training in diagnosing and treating lymphoma (lim-FOH-muh). This cancer starts in the cells of the immune system.
- A myeloma specialist is a doctor with special training in diagnosing and treating myeloma (MY-eh-LOH-muh). This cancer starts in a type of white blood cell.
Medical oncologist
Medical oncologists are doctors who use chemotherapy and other cancer-fighting medicines to treat cancer throughout the body, including vital organs, blood, skin, and various systems such as the nervous, hormonal, and reproductive systems. Medical oncologists often lead the team of doctors and nurses who take care of a person with cancer.
Melanoma oncologist
A melanoma oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in melanoma. This includes superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous melanomas, as well as eye, mucosal, and rare skin melanomas.
Neuro-oncologist
A neuro-oncologist is a doctor with special training in cancers that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. This includes brain tumors and central nervous system tumors.
Ophthalmic oncologist
An ophthalmic (of-THAL-mik) oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in eye cancers. This includes eye melanoma and retinoblastoma
Radiation oncologist
A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer.
Sarcoma oncologist
A sarcoma oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in sarcoma. This includes soft tissue sarcomas (such as Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma) and benign (not cancer) growths that are like sarcoma.
Thoracic oncologist
A thoracic oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in thoracic (thor-A-sik) cancers. These are cancers that have to do with the chest, including lung, tracheal (windpipe), and thymic (thymus) cancers.
Surgeons and surgical oncologists
A surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery. A surgical oncologist is a doctor who uses surgery to remove tumors. Most surgical oncologists specialize in treating one or more types of cancer that occur in a specific organ (such as the liver, lungs, bone, or skin), organ system (such as the nervous or hormonal system), or region of the body (such as breast or head and neck). Many MSK surgeons are trained to use specialized instruments or minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or microsurgery.
Breast surgeon
A breast surgeon is a doctor with special training in breast surgery.
Colorectal surgeon
A colorectal (KOH-loh-REK-tul) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the colon and rectum.
Gynecologic surgeon
A gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the female reproductive system. This includes the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
Head and neck surgeon
A head and neck surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the head and neck. This includes the larynx, lips, mouth, nose, salivary glands, and throat.
Hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon
A hepatopancreatobiliary (heh-PA-toh-PAN-kree-A-to-BIH-lee-AYR-ee) is a doctor with special training in surgery on the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. They are also called an HPB surgeon.
Mohs surgeon
A Mohs surgeon is a doctor with special training in treating skin cancer with Mohs surgery. This surgery removes cancer while keeping healthy tissue safe.
Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the central nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Oculoplastic and orbital surgeon
An oculoplastic and orbital surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the structures of the eye. They include the eyelids, orbit (eye socket), and tear drainage system.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
An oral and maxillofacial (max-ill-o-FAY-shul) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the face, jaw, and mouth.
Orthopaedic surgeon
An orthopaedic (OR-thuh-PEE-dik) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, joints, tendons, and muscles.
Pediatric neurosurgeon
A pediatric neurosurgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the central nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They treat children and adolescents.
Pediatric surgeon
A pediatric surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents.
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon
A plastic and reconstructive surgeon is a doctor with special training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. These procedures make your body work better or look better.
Spine neurosurgeon
A spine neurosurgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the spine.
Thoracic surgeon
A thoracic (thor-A-sik) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery for the chest, lungs, airway, esophagus (swallowing tube), and thymus. They’re also known as a chest surgeon.
Urologic surgeon
A urologic surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the genitourinary (jeh-nih-toh-YOOR-ih-nayr-ee) (GU) system. This includes the bladder, kidney, penis, prostate, and testicles.
Advanced practice providers
Advanced practice providers (APPs) are healthcare providers who have specialized training and work alone or with your doctor to care for you. APPs may be physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), or certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).
Nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training. They assess your health, prescribe medicines, order chemotherapy, and guide your overall care plan in coordination with your doctor.
Physician assistant
A physician assistant (PA) has special training in diagnosing and treating people and prescribing medicine. Physician assistants can give cancer screening tests, do physical exams, order and read tests, help with surgeries, prescribe medicines, and order chemotherapy. Some of them do procedures that include lumbar puncture (taking out spinal fluid) and biopsy (taking out fluid or tissue to look at under a microscope) — all under a doctor’s supervision.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice providers. At MSK, our CRNAs have specialized critical care training and master’s degrees in nurse anesthesia. They work with anesthesiologists to provide the highest quality care to our patients.
Nurses
Nurses are often the team members you see the most. The nurses on your team will give you treatments, monitor your treatment and watch for side effects, and teach you and your caregivers what to expect during treatment.
Nursing at MSK: Compassionate, Patient-Centered Care
They also help coordinate your appointments, keep track of your treatment information, and give you emotional support.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice providers. At MSK, our CRNAs have specialized critical care training and master’s degrees in nurse anesthesia. They work with anesthesiologists to provide the highest quality care to our patients.
Clinical nurse
Clinical nurses help you prepare for surgery, chemotherapy infusion, or radiation treatment, and during other types of procedures and tests.
Clinical nurse specialist
Clinical nurse specialists have advanced education in nursing. They provide bedside care, regular check-ups, and education and support for patients and their families.
Nursing assistant and patient care technician
Nursing assistants and patient care technicians provide basic patient care and support under the direction and supervision of a registered professional nurse.
Nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training. They assess your health, prescribe medicines, order chemotherapy, and guide your overall care plan in coordination with your doctor. They are advanced practice providers.
Registered nurse
A registered nurse (RN) provides and coordinates care. They also teach people what to do and expect before, during, and after care for health issues such as cancer.
Other specialty doctors
In some hospitals and clinics, the doctors listed below focus on their specialties and care for people who have not been diagnosed with cancer. But at MSK, these doctors are also experts in preventing and treating problems that can happen because of cancer and its treatment.
Allergist and immunologist
An allergist is a doctor with special training in asthma, allergies, and other immune issues. An immunologist is a doctor with special training in health issues related to the immune system.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist (a-nes-THEE-zee-AH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in medicine to make you drowsy or sleep during your surgery or procedure. They monitor your vital signs while you’re asleep.
Cardiologist
A cardiologist is a doctor with special training in the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels).
Dermatologist
A dermatologist is a doctor with special training in skin, hair, and nails.
Emergency medicine physician
An emergency medicine physician is a doctor with special training in treating people in the emergency room.
Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist (EN-doh-krih-NAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in endocrine problems, which affect glands and organs that make hormones. They treat diabetes, infertility, and thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary gland problems.
Family medicine physician
A family medicine physician is a doctor with special training in diagnosing and treating health problems in children and adults.
Gastroenterologist
A gastroenterologist (GAS-troh-EN-teh-RAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This includes the esophagus, intestines, stomach, bile ducts, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
Geriatrician
A geriatrician is a primary care doctor with special training in treating adults age 65 and older.
Hematologist
A hematologist (HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in blood disorders.
Hospitalist
A hospitalist is a doctor with special training in caring for people in the hospital.
Infectious diseases specialist
An infectious (in-FEK-shuhs) diseases specialist is a doctor with special training in diseases caused by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses).
Integrative medicine specialist
An integrative medicine specialist is a doctor with special training in therapies and treatments that go along with cancer care. They include services such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and yoga. These services are also called complementary, holistic, or natural medicine.
Intensivist
An intensivist (in-TEN-sih-vist) is a doctor who treats people who are very sick. They often work in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Internist
An internist is a doctor with special training in many problems that affect organs, including the heart, kidney, liver, and lungs.
Interventional pulmonologist
An interventional (IN-ter-VEN-shun-al) pulmonologist (pull-muh-NAHL-uh-jist) is a doctor with special training in treating lung problems, such as blocked airways, cancer, and tumors.
Interventional radiologist
An interventional (IN-ter-VEN-shun-al) radiologist is a doctor with special training in using image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat disease.
Maxillofacial prosthodontist
A maxillofacial (max-ill-o-FAY-shul) prosthodontist (pros-thoh-DON-tist) is a dental specialist with special training in treating problems of the face, jaw, and nearby soft tissue. They are trained in using a prothesis (pros-THEE-sis), an artificial piece that replaces a body part. This is also called a prosthetic.
Nephrologist
A nephrologist (neh-FRAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in treating kidneys, including chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
Neurologist
A neurologist is a doctor with special training in the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles.
Neurophysiologist
A neurophysiologist is a doctor with special training in neurology and the central nervous system, including neuromuscular disease (conditions affecting muscles).
Neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist (NOOR-oh-sy-KAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in evaluating how brain problems affect behavior and cognition (mental processes).
Neurotologist
A neurotologist (NOOR-oh-TAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in problems affecting the nerves that connect the ear and brain.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist (OF-thul-MAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in eye diseases and eye surgery. They also prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
Optometrist
An optometrist is a doctor with special training in eye diseases and vision problems. They also do routine eye exams.
Pain management physician
A pain management doctor has special training in diagnosing and treating pain.
Podiatrist
A podiatrist (puh-DY-uh-trist) is a doctor with special training in the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
Pulmonologist
A pulmonologist (pull-muh-NAHL-uh-jist) is a doctor with special training in the lungs.
Supportive care physician
A supportive care physician is a doctor with special training in care that supports people with cancer. They help improve quality of life and manage the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment.
Other healthcare providers
We know you need support beyond just cancer care. At MSK, we have teams of healthcare professionals who are here to support your physical and emotional needs.
Case manager
A case manager organizes care for people with health issues, such as cancer. They help your care team make a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Genetic counselor
A genetic counselor is skilled in explaining genetic testing for cancer risk assessment in a clear and understandable manner. Genetic counselors give you and your family guidance and support through the processes of risk assessment, genetic testing, and making informed choices for future healthcare. At MSK, our genetic counselors specialize in cancer genetics.
Social worker
A social worker is trained to talk with people and loved ones about their emotional, physical, and practical needs. They also help find support services for them.
Clinical dietitian nutritionist
A clinical dietitian nutritionist provides diet and nutrition-based treatment for cancer and other health issues. They support nutrition and diet needs during and after treatment, and guide nutrition choices that lower cancer risk.
Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist (OT) helps people be better able to do daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, and eating. They can recommend tools to help make daily tasks easier.
Physical therapist
A physical therapist (PT) teaches people exercises to help keep and build strength and flexibility.
Rehabilitation medicine specialist
A rehabilitation medicine specialist is also called a physiatrist (fih-ZIH-ah-trist). This is a doctor with special training in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Respiratory therapist
A respiratory (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee) therapist evaluates trouble with breathing and how well the lungs work. They work with the care team to create a treatment plan.
Speech-language pathologist
A speech-language pathologist diagnoses and treats problems with speech, voice, language, and swallowing. They make treatment plans and offer therapy.
Child life specialist
A child life specialist helps children understand why they’re in the hospital. They make life better for kids by playing with them and setting up fun group activities.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist (sy-KY-uh-trist) is a doctor with special training in mental, emotional, and behavioral health. They can prescribe medicine to help with these issues.
Psychologist
A psychologist (sy-KAH-loh-jist) has special training in therapy to help people with mental and behavioral health issues.
Spiritual support
Our chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones. MSK chaplains are trained in religion, theology, and supporting people in a healthcare setting.
To locate doctors with special training in a certain type of cancer, or to schedule an appointment, please visit Find a Doctor.
