A hematologist oncologist is a board-certified physician who can diagnose and manage cancers that affect blood, bone marrow, or the lymphatic system. An “oncologist” is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A “hematologist” treats issues related to blood, bone marrow, or the lymphatic system.   

Patients are usually referred to a hematologist oncologist when their primary care physician (PCP) suspects they may have cancer. However, going to a hematology oncology appointment does not automatically mean a person has cancer. In some cases, PCPs make these referrals to rule out cancer.  

There are three main types of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia affects blood and bone marrow, causing abnormal white blood cells. Lymphoma targets the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. Myeloma – also called multiple myeloma – affects plasma cells in bone marrow. Every type of blood cancer comes in many different variations, each with its own symptoms and treatment needs.

According to Yale Medicine, doctors usually start with blood tests to check for unusual cells or changes in blood counts. If something seems wrong, they might do a bone marrow biopsy, where they take a small sample of bone marrow to look for cancer cells. They might also use imaging tests like computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see if the cancer has spread. These tests help doctors figure out the type and stage of cancer, which is important for deciding the best treatment plan. 

Symptoms of blood cancer may vary from person to person. They also happen at different levels of intensity. Common symptoms include: 

• Fatigue 

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Frequent infections 

• Easy bruising or bleeding (e.g., nosebleeds or bleeding gums) 

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin 

• Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs 

• Night sweats 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Hematologist Oncologist in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Hematologist Oncologist near New York, NY
Hematologist Oncologist near Los Angeles, CA
Hematologist Oncologist near Chicago, IL
Hematologist Oncologist near Houston, TX
Hematologist Oncologist near Phoenix, AZ
Hematologist Oncologist near Philadelphia, PA
Hematologist Oncologist near Atlanta, GA
Hematologist Oncologist near Boston, MA
Hematologist Oncologist near Dallas, TX
Hematologist Oncologist near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Hematologist Oncologist search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Hematologist Oncologist search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Adult T-Cell Leukemia
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Aplastic Anemia
B-Cell Lymphoma
Burkitt Lymphoma
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Follicular Lymphoma
Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)
Multiple Myeloma
Mycosis Fungoides
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Sezary Syndrome

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Hematologist Oncologist search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/07/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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