An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. There are different types of oncologists who focus on specific kinds of treatments. Here are some examples: 

• Medical oncologists use medications like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies to fight cancer. 

• Surgical oncologists perform operations to remove cancerous tumors or tissue. 

• Radiation oncologists use high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. 

• Pediatric oncologists focus on treating children and teens with cancer. 

• Geriatric oncologists work with people with cancer who are 65 and older. 

• Gynecologic oncologists treat cancers in reproductive organs for individuals assigned female at birth. 

• Hematologist-oncologists treat cancers of the blood, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. 

You may be referred to an oncologist if your primary care doctor suspects you have cancer or another serious condition that requires specialized treatment. Oncologists are experts in diagnosing and treating cancer, but they also manage other conditions like blood disorders or abnormal cell growths that aren’t cancerous. For example, some people are referred to a hematologist-oncologist for issues with blood cells.  

Oncologists use a variety of tests to help diagnose cancer and other serious conditions. These tests help them understand what stage the cancer is in or if the cancer has spread. Common tests include: 

• Blood tests to check for abnormal cells, proteins, or other markers that might suggest cancer. 

• Biopsies, where a small tissue sample is taken from a suspected area to check for cancer cells. 

• Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and PET scans, which help oncologists get a detailed picture of what’s happening inside the body.

The type of treatment you receive depends on the kind of cancer, its stage, and your overall health. Treatment usually begins soon after diagnosis, depending on how quickly care needs to start. Your oncologist will guide you through the different treatment options and help you decide on the best approach. 

Some common treatments include: 

The type of treatment you receive depends on the kind of cancer, its stage, and your overall health. Treatment usually begins soon after diagnosis, depending on how quickly care needs to start. Your oncologist will guide you through the different treatment options and help you decide on the best approach. 

Some common treatments include: 

• Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells. 

• Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. 

• Surgery, where tumors or cancerous tissue are physically removed from the body. 

• Immunotherapy, which helps boost your immune system to fight cancer. 

• Targeted therapy, which attacks specific changes in cancer cells that help them grow. 

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 an Oncologist in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

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

Bladder Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Leukemia
Liver Cancer
Lung Cancer
Melanoma
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Thyroid Cancer

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the 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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