Medical Oncology

What is Medical Oncology?

Medical oncology is a type of medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. If you have cancer, you can think of your medical oncologist as the primary care doctor directing the plans for the treatment of your disease.

What Sets Us Apart?

At North Kansas City Hospital, our medical oncologists lead your cancer care team. They work with other oncologists and providers to develop a treatment plan — which may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy — that’s personalized to your specific diagnosis, overall health and individual goals. 

When to See a Medical Oncologist

Typically, you should see a medical oncologist if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or if your primary care doctor suspects you have cancer.

Your medical oncologist may order diagnostic tests, including bloodwork and imaging scans, to confirm a cancer diagnosis. They’ll then work with other providers, and with you, to design a plan to treat your cancer while limiting side effects as much as possible.

Other Oncologists on Your Cancer Care Team

All oncologists specialize in cancer, but there are different specialties under the oncology umbrella. If you have a cancer diagnosis, your cancer care team may include a:

• Medical oncologist: The point person on your cancer care team, who manages your treatment plan.
• Radiation oncologist: The doctor on your cancer care team who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.
• Surgical oncologist: The surgeon on your cancer care team.

There are other types of specialized oncologists, as well, including gynecologic oncologists who are trained to treat cancers that affect women (gynecologic cancers) and hematologic oncologists who treat cancers of the blood.