Learn The BasicsPatients with endometrial cancer (EC) will often see several different types of doctors and specialists during diagnosis and treatment.
The care team may include a primary care physician, a gynecologist, an oncologist, a gynecologic oncologist, a pathologist, an anesthesiologist, a surgeon, a surgical oncologist, a radiologist, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a cardiologist and a psychiatrist.
The primary care physician
The primary care physician is often the first doctor that a patient sees when they have a health issue. In the case of EC, the primary care physician is usually a gynecologist.
The gynecologist
A gynecologist is a medical doctor who specializes in female health problems, such as sexual and reproductive function and diseases affecting the female reproductive organs.
The oncologist
An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The gynecologic oncologist
A gynecological oncologist is a medical doctor specializing in cancers affecting the female reproductive organs.
The pathologist
A pathologist specializes in the diagnosis and classification of diseases through laboratory tests and observation of tissues and cells under a microscope.
A pathologist can determine whether or not a tumor is cancerous, and in case it is, the origin and the grade of the cancer.
The anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist specializes in giving drugs to relieve pain, induce loss of feeling, or put a patient to sleep for surgical interventions.
The surgeon
The surgeon performs surgery to remove tumors or parts of the body affected by a disease. In case of EC, the surgeon may perform a hysterectomy, which is a surgery to remove the uterus.
The surgical oncologist
A surgeon who specializes in performing surgery to treat cancer is called a surgical oncologist and may be part of the care team in treating EC. In fact, this provider is usually the first among oncologic specialists who sees the patient
The radiologist
A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases based on X-rays and other imaging test results.
The radiation oncologist
A radiation oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating cancer using radiation.
The medical oncologist
A medical oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy and other drugs like hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy.
The cardiologist
A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the health of the heart and blood vessels. Patients with EC may need to see a cardiologist if they encounter heart problems due to cancer treatment.
The psychiatrist
A psychiatrist specializes in the prevention and treatment of mental health problems. They can provide counseling and prescribe drugs or other treatments. Patients diagnosed with EC or undergoing treatment for EC may benefit from the help of a psychiatrist.
Other healthcare providers
Apart from medical doctors, other healthcare professionals such as nurses, a case manager, dietician, nutritionist, radiation therapist, dosimetrist, pharmacist, pain specialist, physical and occupational therapist, psychologist, sex therapist, social worker palliative care specialist and hospice care specialist may also be included in the multi-disciplinary care team of patients with EC and other types of cancer.