Sign out
Northwest Cancer Center multidisciplinary teams
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Having a dedicated multidisciplinary team that specializes in your cancer type can make a big difference. Kaiser Permanente has better 5-year survival rates for breast, colorectal, and lung cancers compared to national averages.1
Compared to nonintegrated health care systems, our members with cancer achieve better outcomes. In fact, research shows cancer patients diagnosed and treated at Kaiser Permanente live longer, healthier lives than people who get care through other health plans. We achieved 15% lower mortality rates across many common types of cancer2:
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Melanoma
- Endometrial cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
Our multidisciplinary teams conduct weekly Cancer Case Conferences, where new cancer cases are reviewed by a specialized team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, and nurses. They discuss the latest research, share new techniques, assess your cancer diagnosis, and create treatment options to meet your needs. This happens before you even meet your personalized cancer care team, reducing the stress of unnecessary appointments and helping deliver even better health outcomes for you.
Members of your cancer care team may include:
- Cancer counselors offer spiritual, emotional, and mental health help. They can connect you with resources as well as ease the challenges that may come up during your cancer journey.
- Cancer surgeons are doctors that specialize in the surgical treatment of cancer.
- Dentists do an oral assessment before radiation therapy. They consult the radiation oncologist about when and how much dental treatment is needed.
- Dietitians help with the challenges of eating. Sessions can be before, during, or after treatment.
- Genetic counselors help you understand your cancer risk and the best care options.
- Interventional radiologists are doctors who specialize in image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat cancer.
- Medical oncologists are doctors who specialize in drug-based cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Nurse case managers coordinate treatment plans with your doctor and cancer care team.
- Nurse navigators have specialized cancer-care training and knowledge. They help connect the dots to make sure you understand the phases of your treatment — who you will meet with, where to go, and what to expect. They can answer your questions or connect you with resources.
- Oncology nurses care for patients during cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Oncology pharmacists fill oncology/hematology-related prescriptions. They work with your physician on changes and updates to your treatment plan. They also help with managing common side effects of chemotherapy.
- Palliative care teams assist with pain and symptom management before, during, and after treatment.
- Pathologists analyze lab tests and examine cells under a microscope to diagnose cancer.
- Physical therapists provide exercise, stretching, and massage to help reduce the side effects of treatment.
- Radiation oncologists are specialists that treat cancer with state-of-the art radiation therapy.
- Radiologists interpret medical images like X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, and MRIs. They use these images to diagnose cancer and plan treatment.
- Speech pathologists work with head and neck cancer patients to improve speech and swallowing functions affected by treatment.
Kaiser Permanente Northwest Cancer Center has held the Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation from the American College of Surgeons since 2012.
