Dr. Doctor Nong Ngoc Son

A medical oncologist is a physician who is specialized in the diagnosis and the treatment of cancer with medications, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy. They coordinate the entire treatment plan for the cancer and communicate with the other team members, including surgeons and radiation oncologists.

If you are diagnosed with cancer or if your primary doctor thinks you may have cancer and refers you for a higher level of evaluation, it is time to see a medical oncologist. They will confirm the diagnosis, the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer and provide you with the best treatment that is available.

A medical oncologist is a cancer doctor treating cancers with drugs, a surgical oncologist removes the cancer tumor by surgery, and a radiation oncologist eliminates cancer cells with radiation therapy. All three specialists typically work together to provide full spectrum of cancer care.

Typical baseline tests may include blood tests, tumor markers, biopsies, and imaging scans such as CT, MRI, or PET scans and even genetic tests which may assist in diagnosing and staging and monitoring treatment.

Oncologists have years of specialized training that prepares them to make the best clinical decision based on the specific cancer type, stage, possibly genetic mutations, patient's health status, and any prior therapy response. Each treatment plan is customized for each patient to improve benefit and reduce side effects.

Yes. Managing side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and immune suppression is a key component of oncology care. The oncologist will adjust medications and recommend supportive therapies to assure an optimal quality of life.

The frequency of visits varies based on where you are in your treatment plan. Visits may take place weekly for the week of chemotherapy, but a patient may have follow up visits quarterly or biannually, once the patient completes treatment, to monitor.