How to Choose the Right Oncologist or Cancer Surgeon
How Does Your Oncologist Choose Cancer Treatments?
Choosing the right oncologist or cancer surgeon is one of the most important decisions a patient can make. In this webinar, Dr. Jason Sager (Founder & CEO of Sagely Health) and Jeremy Sewell (CTO of Sagely Health) discuss the factors that can significantly impact cancer treatment and outcomes.
How Do Patients Get Assigned an Oncologist?
A cancer diagnosis often comes unexpectedly, and many patients are assigned an oncologist or surgeon by their primary care doctor or hospital system. However, patients have the right to choose their doctor and should actively consider their options.
Common ways oncologists are assigned:
- Through primary care doctors – Patients with concerning symptoms are referred to an oncologist.
- Incidental findings – Cancer is sometimes detected during unrelated medical tests, prompting a referral.
- Emergency situations – Patients experiencing sudden complications (e.g., a blocked organ) are assigned a specialist immediately.
While it is common to go with the first assigned doctor, it’s important to evaluate other options, especially for complex or high-risk cancers.
Understanding Urgency in Cancer Treatment
Many patients feel pressure to start treatment immediately after diagnosis. However, most cancers are not medical emergencies, and patients typically have time to explore their options.
📌 True emergencies include situations such as:
- A colon tumor causing obstruction
- A liver tumor blocking bile ducts
- Certain aggressive cancers (e.g., Burkitt’s lymphoma) requiring immediate intervention
For most cases, there is time to gather second opinions, understand treatment options, and find the right doctor. A rushed decision is often not necessary and can lead to suboptimal outcomes.
Key Factors in Choosing an Oncologist or Surgeon
When selecting a cancer specialist, experience and expertise matter. Here are some key considerations:
✔️ Is this surgeon a cancer specialist?
- Ask, "Are you a cancer surgeon?" or "How many cases like mine do you handle weekly?"
- A good answer is five or more cases per week (rather than a couple per month).
✔️ Does this doctor work at an NCI-accredited cancer center?
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated centers are recognized for high-quality cancer care and see a high volume of cancer patients.
- This is a simple way to ensure you’re receiving care from a facility with the latest treatments and expertise.
✔️ What are the surgical success factors?
- A good surgeon aims for negative margins (removing the entire tumor with a rim of normal tissue).
- Experienced surgeons at NCI centers reduce complications and increase success rates.
✔️ Is there a role for treatment before or after surgery?
- Neoadjuvant therapy (before surgery): Helps shrink tumors to make surgery more effective.
- Adjuvant therapy (after surgery): Lowers the risk of recurrence using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation.
✔️ How does personality and communication style factor in?
- A confident doctor is good, but overconfidence can be a red flag.
- If a surgeon claims, “I never have to reoperate”—that’s not realistic.
When to Seek a Second Opinion
🔍 Patients with high-risk cancers should always get a second opinion. A high-risk cancer is one with a more than 20% chance of recurrence.
A second opinion is also valuable if:
- You were diagnosed at a non-NCI center and want confirmation of your treatment plan.
- Surgery is being recommended, but you’re unsure about its necessity or effectiveness.
- Your cancer has returned or progressed, meaning standard treatments may no longer be effective.
What should you ask when getting a second opinion?
- "What is the risk of my cancer returning?"
- "Are there any alternative treatment options?"
- "Should I consider a clinical trial?"
Advanced & Metastatic Cancer: Choosing the Right Doctor
When surgery is no longer an option, finding an oncologist who specializes in advanced treatments becomes critical.
📌 Key considerations for advanced cancer patients:
- Ensure your doctor is familiar with the latest treatment guidelines (e.g., NCCN guidelines).
- Seek a specialist at an NCI-accredited cancer center who has access to clinical trials and emerging treatments.
- Advanced options include tumor sequencing, proteomics, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies.
💡 Not all oncologists have access to cutting-edge treatments—patients should seek doctors who participate in clinical research and personalized cancer care.
Final Takeaways from Dr. Sager
1️⃣ If possible, go to an NCI-accredited cancer center.
2️⃣ Always ask if treatment before or after surgery could improve your outcome.
3️⃣ If your cancer is high-risk, get a second opinion.
4️⃣ Ask about clinical trials and innovative treatments, especially for advanced cancer.
📌 Cancer care is complex, but patients have the power to make informed decisions. By carefully selecting the right specialists and treatment strategies, you can improve your chances of a successful outcome.
🔗 Need guidance on your treatment options? Talk to us >
