The Medical Oncologist
Medical oncologists diagnose cancer and treat it with systemic medicines that travel throughout the body. They usually coordinate your overall care plan with surgeons, radiation oncologists and supportive-care teams.
Systemic Therapies
- Chemotherapy (IV or oral)
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Antibody-drug conjugates
- Supportive medications for nausea, blood counts and bone health
Treatment Intent
| Setting | Goal |
|---|---|
| Neoadjuvant | Shrink the tumor before surgery |
| Adjuvant | Eliminate residual disease after surgery |
| Curative | Eradicate cancer, e.g., many lymphomas |
| Palliative / maintenance | Control advanced disease and extend life with good quality |
Medically reviewed content for education only — not a substitute for advice from your oncology team.