Palo Alto Clinic
795 El Camino Real
Lower Level A, Lee Building
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Department phone: 650-853-2905
Main phone: 650-321-4121
Map | Directions | Floor Plan

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is medical oncology?

A medical oncologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats the entire spectrum of malignant diseases. They specialize in use of medications, such as chemotherapy, hormones and analgesics in the management of cancer. The role of the medical oncologist is more than just prescribing medications to treat cancer. They care for the patient from the moment of diagnosis throughout the course of the disease by:

• Educating the patient about their form of cancer and the stages of its development
  
• Discussing treatment options and making recommendations to the patient
  
• Monitoring the care and treatment of the patient throughout the course of the disease
  
• Working with the patient to improve the quality of life through healing therapy and in the management of pain and symptoms

Cancer Support Group

PAMF offers a therapist-led group, that includes both individuals dealing with a cancer diagnosis as well as family members and friends. Not all family members are accompanied by the person with the cancer diagnosis. It is a safe place where thoughts, feelings and concerns about cancer are discussed.

What is hematology?

Hematologists are doctors who treat blood diseases. Since medical oncologists prescribe chemotherapy medications that may produce side effects in the blood system, oncologists and hematologists often work together during treatment. Some doctors have a dual specialty of both hematology and medical oncology.

Common blood disorders include:

• Anemias -- iron deficiency, Aplastic anemia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, vitamin B12 deficiency
  
• Bleeding Disorders -- Hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease
  
• Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation
  
• Disorders of Iron Metabolism -- Iron deficiency and overload, hemochromatosis
  
• Hodgkin's Disease
  
• Infectious Diseases, Immunodeficiency Syndromes, and Autoimmune Diseases HIV/AIDS, malaria
  
• Leukemias
  
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas
  
• Platelet Disorders