• Medical oncologists/hematologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer and blood diseases. This type of doctor gives treatment to the whole system, like chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immune therapy. The medical oncologist is often the main healthcare provider for someone who has cancer. The medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists. After these treatments are over, this doctor follows you over time to make sure you are well.
• Medical oncology nurses provide quality cancer care to patients and families throughout the cancer continuum. They play a key role in educating patients regarding treatment and side effects. They administer chemotherapy and other supportive treatments, such as injections, blood transfusion or other intravenous infusions. The nurses assist the doctor with a variety of procedures. They also coordinate the medical oncology care of each individual patient, and make referrals as necessary to other departments. All of the nurses working in medical oncology are specially trained by the hospital in chemotherapy administration and most of the nurses are certified by the Oncology Nursing Society. This certification is a validation of an individual’s knowledge in cancer nursing.

• Cancer Center patients are patients with cancer or blood diseases that routinely see their doctor here.
• Office patients are patients with cancer or blood diseases that routinely see their doctor at his or her office, or another facility. They may, however, need to come to the Cancer Center for a variety of reasons, such as tests, procedures, injections, transfusions or even to see their doctor.
• Medical patients: sometimes patients who do not have cancer or blood diseases are also treated in the Cancer Center. They may have a disease or diagnosis that requires them to receive chemotherapy. They may need a blood transfusion or other types of treatments (like injections for asthma) that their doctor has arranged for them to receive in the Cancer Center.

Chemotherapy/biotherapy is the use of medications (chemical substances) to treat disease. There are many different types of chemotherapy and it is given in a variety of ways, but most commonly by intravenous infusion. If you are receiving chemotherapy, your nurse will give you specific information about your particular chemotherapy drugs.

We have private rooms for treatment and a large room with a TV where three to four patients might be treated at the same time. Recliners are in both types of rooms. We also have three beds (which are reserved for patients based on need). Feel free to bring a book, CD, DVD, crossword puzzle or something to do while you’re here. We do have CD headphones and relaxation CDs available to use, as well as DVD players and some DVDs for viewing and a selection of magazines.