At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, we surround you with experts who focus completely on cancer care. A handful of people make up the core of your care team. You will have a medical oncologist and a registered nurse who are experienced in caring for people with liver cancer. At some visits, you might see an advanced practice provider. A patient care coordinator schedules your visits.
If you need surgery or a liver transplant, we have experts in these treatments, like hepatobiliary surgeons and transplant surgeons.
Others join your team based on your personal needs. If you get a new health issue that might change your cancer treatment, we will call in the right experts. For example, if you have skin, heart or digestive concerns, we might call in a dermatologist, cardiologist or gastroenterologist. We have specialists based at Fred Hutch who know how to handle the issues that matter for people with cancer.
Supportive care providers are also here to help. You may see Fred Hutch registered dietitians, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers and others. All of us specialize in caring for people during and after cancer.
What Each Team Member Does
Advanced Practice Provider (APP)
These health care professionals work closely with your physician 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 without your physician. They also help manage the effects of your disease and treatment.
Infusion Nurse
Infusions happen in a special area of the clinic. Cancer nurses who are experts in infusions give these treatments. They will 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. Most people with a cancer diagnosis get chemotherapy. Some people get targeted therapy or immunotherapy. If watchful waiting is right for you, you will see this physician on a regular schedule to check your health and, if needed, start treatment.
Your medical oncologist will:
- See you during your first visit. They will give you an exam and order any tests you need to diagnose or stage your disease.
- Explain what your diagnosis and stage means and answer your questions.
- Recommend medicine-based treatments to match your case. They will choose the medicines, doses, schedule and sequence. They will also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
- See you on a regular schedule to check how your cancer responds to treatment and how you are doing overall.
- Offer you ways to prevent, relieve and deal with side effects of treatment — like medicine to help with nausea.
- Work 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 will schedule your appointments.
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 then.
- Recommend radiation therapy to match your case. They will decide the type, dose and schedule. They also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
- Work behind the scenes with other radiation experts. These experts make sure you get the right dose in the right places (dosimetrist). They also maintain the equipment that is 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, like medicine to help with nausea.
- Work with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment.
Radiation Oncology Nurse
This specialist sees you when you come in for radiation treatment. They explain your treatment, check your health, answer your questions and help you with side effects.
Radiation Therapist
This specialist positions you each time you come in for radiation treatment. This makes sure that your treatment goes to the right places on your body. They also operate the machines that deliver the radiation.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Your nurse manages your care with your physician. They also help with procedures and treatments. Nurses are resources for you and your caregiver. They can answer questions on a wide range of topics, like how to cope with side effects or get other services you need at Fred Hutch.
Surgical Oncologist
A surgical oncologist is a physician who has specialized training in doing biopsies and other surgical procedures in cancer patients.