What to Expect: Medical Oncology
Before Treatment
Consultation
A patient generally visits a medical oncologist/hematologist after receiving a cancer or hematological diagnosis. Patients are usually referred by a primary care physician or specialist, such as a surgeon, OB/GYN or urologist; however, many patients self-refer themselves to a specific oncologist/hematologist, particularly if they are in need of a second opinion.
During your visit, Dr. Stanek and our nursing staff will perform a full medical examination. This includes reviewing your current medical problems, past medical history, past surgical history, family history, medications, allergies and lifestyle. Dr. Stanek will perform a physical examination to assess the extent of your disease and judge your general physical condition. During this visit, Dr. Stanek may recommend additional diagnostic tests, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/CT scans or blood work, in order to complete a full assessment.
After Dr. Stanek has considered the evidence from your examination, reviewed all diagnostic tests and consulted with your other physicians, he will determine the appropriate next step for you. This may involve drug therapy under Dr. Stanek's direct supervision or a referral to radiation therapy. Regardless of the treatment that is recommended to you, Dr. Stanek will discuss the treatment plan with you and your family. He will explain the potential benefits and risks of his recommended treatment and will answer any questions that you may have.
Drug Therapy
Depending on your condition, Dr. Stanek may prescribe chemotherapy or another type of drug therapy to treat your disease. Chemotherapy works systemically to kill cancer cells throughout the whole body. While Dr. Stanek may prescribe a single chemotherapy drug, he most likely will recommend a regimen that utilizes a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Dr. Stanek will choose the doses, how the drug will be given, and how often and how long you will receive treatment. Dr. Stanek uses drug regimens that are standard, state-of-the-art protocols based on the latest clinical research and the practical experience of community oncologists. Most of these drugs are administered in our office through an IV infusion or injection. You may also be prescribed some drugs through your pharmacy.
In preparation for drug therapy, Dr. Stanek and our nursing staff will provide you and your caregivers with information regarding what to expect with each specific drug, including possible side effects. Dr. Stanek may prescribe supportive care drugs to help lessen negative side effects of drug therapy, such as nausea, anemia or fatigue.
How often you visit our office to receive your drug therapy and how long the treatment will last depends on the types of drugs being used, the goals of treatment and your overall health status. Drugs may be provided as frequently as daily or, in some cases, as infrequently as monthly.
Most drugs are administered through an IV infusion via a needle or a catheter. Drugs also may be given by injection (like a flu shot) or by mouth. However, due to scarring and strain on their veins, many patients have a central venous catheter placed surgically in their chests or upper arms. This option will be discussed with you by Dr. Stanek before you start your treatment.
During Treatment
When you arrive at our office for treatment, our nursing staff will perform an examination that includes checking your vital signs and weight. You likely will have visited our office on the day of (or the day prior to) treatment to test your blood counts. Once our clinical staff determines that you are fit to receive treatment, a nurse will begin preparations to administer your therapy. If you are receiving drugs via infusion, this will involve starting an IV line to administer fluids prior to giving you the supportive care and therapeutic drugs.
The length of your drug treatment will vary depending on the regimen with some infusions lasting only 15 minutes and others taking several hours. During your infusion, our nurses will check on you regularly. We offer snacks to patients, and there are also blankets for your use.
After Treatment
Depending on your condition, you may receive numerous courses of drug therapy. Dr. Stanek will continue to follow-up with you before, during and after each course of treatment. If Dr. Stanek believes that drug therapy is no longer required, you will still have regular follow-up visits with him so he can monitor your health status. As time goes on, the frequency of your visits will decrease. However, you should know that our office will always be available to you should you need to speak to someone about your treatment.
