Getting an oncologist involved in your treatment planning is a critical step for many colorectal cancer patients. All stage II, III and IV patients need to visit with members of an oncology team to discuss treatment.

Stage I patients may not be referred to oncology right away, especially if a gastroenterologist or colorectal cancer surgeon says that all the cancer was removed, and pathology reports didn’t indicate any spread. However, it’s still a good idea for all cancer patients to speak with an oncology team to:

Oncology teams design plans to treat your cancer. These plans will include one or more of these therapies:

Most oncologists will follow the NCCN Guidelines when designing your treatment plan. Learn more about how oncologists design treatments by stage and the NCCN Guidelines.

You may visit a few different doctors and nurses when you’re referred to oncology. If your oncologists work alongside and consult with your other doctors and nurses, they are considered to be on a multi-disciplinary team.

A nurse navigator will guide you through treatment by ensuring you have the appointments you need set up, answer questions and explain lab work and pathology results, help you identify side effects you’re facing, and help find resources for you and your family.

This is a doctor who will prescribe drugs like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy to treat your cancer.

are doctors who specialize in performing surgical procedures on patients with cancer.

These are nurses with specialty training for working with cancer patients. Some administer cancer treatment drugs and others work with patients receiving radiation.

This is a doctor who coordinates, plans, and oversees radiation treatments.

These are techs who execute the radiation treatments as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. They help with steps like getting your molds created prior to starting treatments and running the radiation machines.

This doctor may get involved for patients born female, if the cancer has spread to the ovaries or uterus, if there’s a Lynch syndrome diagnosis, or if the ovaries need to be moved prior to radiation therapy.

You will also encounter several staff who will draw your blood, take your temperature and blood pressure, and provide you with support as you go through cancer treatments.

Looking for a medical oncologist and/or radiation oncologist?

If your pathology reports show you have cancer, the doctor seeing you should refer you to an oncology team. Most often, this is done within the hospital system you’re currently in. The cancer center will reach out to you to set up your initial appointment. However, it’s important to remember:

• If you’re not referred to oncology but your pathology shows cancer, advocate for yourself to get an appointment. Start with finding a medical oncologist.
• You can go to other doctors outside of the hospital system, but you’ll need to request your records be sent and make an appointment.
• It’s advised to get multiple opinions on your treatment plan, if time allows.

It is your right to seek the type of medical care you desire, with the healthcare provider of your choice. Learn more about your patient rights.