At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we surround you with experts who focus only on cancer care. A handful of people make up the core of your care team, based on the types of treatment you need. For many people, the core team includes an endocrinologist, head and neck surgeon, medical oncologist and registered nurse who all specialize in thyroid cancer. At some visits, you might see an advanced practice provider. Most patients get part of their treatment from infusion nurses. A patient care coordinator will schedule your visits.
Others join your team based on your personal needs. We have specialists based at Fred Hutch who know the issues that matter for people with cancer, whether it’s helping control side effects or providing supportive care. You may see Fred Hutch registered dietitians, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers and others. They all work together — and with you — to make sure you get the care you need.
What Each Team Member Does
Advanced Practice Provider (APP)
These health care professionals work closely with your medical oncologist in the clinic. There are two types: physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). They help provide and coordinate your treatment and can see you independently from your physician. They also help manage the effects of your disease and treatment.
Infusion Nurse
You receive any infusions in a dedicated area of the clinic. Cancer nurses who specialize in infusions give these treatments. They also check you during each infusion. They respond to any medical issues that come up and help keep you comfortable.
Medical Oncologist
This physician oversees your medicine-based treatments.
Your medical oncologist:
- Sees you during your first visit. They evaluate you and order any tests you need to diagnose or stage your disease.
- Explains what your diagnosis and stage mean, and answers your questions.
- Recommends medicine-based treatments to match your specific case. They select the medicines, doses, schedule and sequence. They also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
- Sees you on a regular schedule to check how your cancer responds to treatment and how you are overall.
- Offers you ways to prevent, relieve and cope with side effects of treatment — like medicine to help with nausea.
- Coordinates with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment.
Patient Care Coordinator
Your patient care coordinator works closely with you and your physician. They serve as your scheduler.
Radiation Oncologist
This physician treats cancer with radiation. They prescribe and manage this part of your care. Working with a radiation oncology team, they plan and deliver your treatments.
Your radiation oncologist will:
- See you if your medical exam shows that radiation therapy is likely to help. If you did not need radiation at the start of care, but your situation changes, we will arrange for you to see a radiation oncologist.
- Recommend radiation therapy to match your case. They will decide the type, dose and schedule. They will also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
- Work behind the scenes with other radiation experts. These experts make sure you receive the right dose in the right places (dosimetrist). They also maintain the equipment used (medical physicist).
- Answer your questions about radiation therapy, like why you need it and what to expect.
- See you on a regular schedule during radiation therapy to check how your cancer responds and how you are doing overall.
- Offer you ways to prevent, relieve and deal with side effects of treatment.
- Work with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment.
Radiologist
This physician reads your imaging tests and decides what they mean. They also do some types of biopsies.
Your radiologist will:
- Look for abnormal areas on images from tests like CT scans and MRIs.
- “Decode” the meaning of your images and recommend if you need more imaging, a biopsy or other care.
- Work closely with your surgeon to tell exactly where your tumor is and how this affects what kind of surgery, and how much surgery, you need.
- Work with the rest of your care team on any tests and treatments you need.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Your nurse manages your care alongside your physician. They also assist with procedures and treatments. Nurses are resources for you and your caregiver. They answer questions and help with a wide range of topics, like how to cope with side effects or get other services you need at Fred Hutch.
Supportive Care Services
Many types of supportive care team members are here to help you and your family. They include registration dietitians, physical therapists, pain medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers, spiritual health staff, palliative care specialists, naturopaths and acupuncturists.
Learn more about supportive care services.
Surgeon
This physician does surgery to remove as much of your cancer as possible, along with a margin of healthy tissue around the cancer.
Your surgeon:
- Recommends surgery to match your specific case. They explain any surgical options you have. They also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
- Answers your questions about surgery, like why you need it and what to expect.
- Performs your surgery, along with a team, including an anesthesiologist and nurses.
- Sees you after surgery to check your healing.
- Offers you ways to prevent, relieve and cope with side effects of surgery.
- Coordinates with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment.