Medical Oncology at Cleveland Clinic

Medical Oncology provides specialized medical treatment for cancer using systemic therapies designed to target cancer cells throughout the body. Medical oncologists evaluate the type and stage of cancer and develop individualized treatment plans that may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy and other appropriate systemic treatments. Care may be provided before or after surgery, alongside radiation therapy, or as the primary treatment depending on the cancer diagnosis.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of medical oncology care depends on the cancer type and stage, oncology consultation, laboratory testing, imaging, pathology and molecular testing, medications, treatment cycles, infusion services and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Medical Oncology?

Medical Oncology is a specialized field of cancer care focused on treating cancer with medicines and other systemic therapies.

Medical oncologists may manage:

• Newly diagnosed cancer

• Locally advanced cancer

• Metastatic cancer

• Recurrent cancer

• Cancer requiring systemic therapy

• Cancer requiring multidisciplinary treatment

Medical Oncology Consultation

A medical oncology consultation may include:

• Detailed medical history

• Cancer history

• Physical examination

• Review of pathology

• Review of imaging

• Cancer staging

• Previous treatment assessment

• Discussion of treatment options

Cancer Treatment Planning

Treatment planning considers:

• Cancer type

• Cancer stage

• Tumor characteristics

• Molecular findings

• Previous treatments

• Overall health

• Treatment goals

• Patient preferences

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines that target rapidly dividing cancer cells.

It may be used:

• Before surgery

• After surgery

• With radiation therapy

• For advanced cancer

• For metastatic cancer

• As part of combination treatment

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps the body's immune system recognize and respond to cancer.

It may be appropriate for selected cancers depending on:

• Cancer type

• Stage

• Biomarkers

• Previous treatments

• Overall medical condition

Targeted Cancer Therapy

Targeted therapies are designed to act on specific molecular features associated with certain cancers.

Treatment may depend on identifying an appropriate:

• Gene alteration

• Protein

• Biomarker

• Molecular target

Hormonal Therapy

Some cancers depend on hormones for growth.

Hormonal or endocrine therapy may be used for selected cancers, including certain:

• Breast cancers

• Prostate cancers

• Other hormone-sensitive cancers

Combination Cancer Therapy

Some patients may receive more than one type of systemic treatment.

Treatment combinations may include:

• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy and chemotherapy

• Hormonal therapy with other treatments

• Systemic therapy with radiation

• Systemic therapy with surgery

Neoadjuvant Cancer Treatment

Systemic therapy may sometimes be given before surgery.

Potential goals may include:

• Shrinking a tumor

• Treating microscopic disease

• Improving surgical options

• Assessing treatment response

Adjuvant Cancer Treatment

Systemic treatment may also be given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

The treatment approach depends on the cancer type and individual risk factors.

Advanced Cancer Treatment

Medical oncology plays an important role in managing advanced or metastatic cancer.

Treatment may focus on:

• Controlling cancer growth

• Reducing symptoms

• Maintaining quality of life

• Prolonging disease control

• Selecting appropriate systemic therapies

Metastatic Cancer Care

For cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, medical oncologists may evaluate systemic treatment options.

Treatment selection may depend on:

• Primary cancer type

• Sites of metastasis

• Molecular characteristics

• Previous treatments

• Patient health

Recurrent Cancer Treatment

When cancer returns after previous treatment, medical oncology may reassess the disease and determine whether additional systemic therapy is appropriate.

Evaluation may include:

• Repeat imaging

• Pathology review

• Molecular testing

• Review of previous treatment

• Assessment of current cancer status

Molecular Testing for Cancer Treatment

Molecular testing may help identify characteristics of cancer cells that can influence treatment selection.

Testing may identify:

• Gene alterations

• Biomarkers

• Protein expression

• Potential treatment targets

Personalized Cancer Therapy

Cancer treatment is individualized based on the patient's:

• Diagnosis

• Cancer stage

• Molecular profile

• Previous treatment

• Overall health

• Treatment goals

Cancer Treatment Monitoring

Patients receiving systemic cancer therapy may require regular monitoring.

Monitoring may include:

• Blood tests

• Imaging

• Physical examinations

• Treatment response assessment

• Side-effect evaluation

Chemotherapy Infusion Care

Selected cancer medications may be administered through intravenous infusion.

Infusion care may involve:

• Medication preparation

• Intravenous administration

• Monitoring during treatment

• Management of treatment-related reactions

• Post-treatment instructions

Oral Cancer Therapies

Some systemic cancer treatments are available as oral medications.

Patients receiving oral cancer therapy may require:

• Medication education

• Monitoring

• Dose adjustments when appropriate

• Assessment of treatment response

• Side-effect management

Cancer Treatment Side-Effect Management

Medical oncology teams monitor and manage potential treatment-related effects.

Depending on the therapy, these may include:

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Changes in blood counts

• Appetite changes

• Skin reactions

• Other treatment-specific effects

Supportive Cancer Care

Supportive care may be incorporated into cancer treatment to help manage symptoms and treatment-related complications.

It may include:

• Pain management

• Nutritional support

• Symptom management

• Medication support

• Psychosocial care

Multidisciplinary Oncology Care

Medical oncology may work together with:

• Surgical oncology

• Radiation oncology

• Pathology

• Radiology

• Genetic specialists

• Rehabilitation professionals

• Other healthcare specialists

Medical Oncology Second Opinion

Patients may seek a medical oncology second opinion before starting or changing systemic cancer treatment.

Specialists may review:

• Pathology reports

• Imaging

• Cancer stage

• Molecular testing

• Previous treatment

• Proposed treatment plan

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant oncology records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy reports

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• PET scans

• Molecular testing

• Previous chemotherapy records

• Radiation records

• Surgical reports

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Medical Oncology

Specialized medical oncology care may help:

• Develop individualized cancer treatment plans

• Provide systemic cancer therapy

• Evaluate chemotherapy options

• Assess immunotherapy

• Identify targeted therapy options

• Manage advanced cancer

• Monitor treatment response

• Manage treatment-related side effects

• Coordinate multidisciplinary cancer care

• Provide oncology second opinions

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Medical Oncology?

Cleveland Clinic provides multidisciplinary oncology care involving medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and other cancer-care professionals.

Treatment planning can integrate diagnostic findings, cancer staging, molecular information and previous treatment history to develop an individualized approach.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of medical oncology treatment depends on the cancer diagnosis, treatment type and number of treatment cycles required.

Potential costs may include:

• Medical oncology consultation

• Pathology review

• Laboratory testing

• Molecular testing

• Imaging

• Chemotherapy

• Immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Hormonal therapy

• Infusion services

• Medications

• Side-effect management

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does a medical oncologist do?

A medical oncologist specializes in treating cancer using systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy when appropriate.

2. Does medical oncology only provide chemotherapy?

No. Medical oncology may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy and other systemic cancer treatments.

3. Can medical oncology treatment be given before surgery?

Yes. In selected cancers, systemic treatment may be given before surgery to reduce tumor size or treat cancer cells elsewhere in the body.

4. Can I seek a second opinion from a medical oncologist?

Yes. A medical oncologist can review pathology, imaging, molecular testing and previous treatment records to provide an additional treatment opinion.

5. How much does medical oncology treatment cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the cancer type, treatment regimen, medications, laboratory testing, infusion services and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Medical Oncology

Hospital: Cleveland Clinic

Brand: Cleveland Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Medical Oncology

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA