Oncology
New Jersey Cancer Care and Treatment
Being diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer, can bring a wave of unsettling and frightening emotions. Currently, there's no true cure for cancer, but advances in medicine and technology have helped produce more positive outcomes. Our fellowship-trained, board-certified oncologists can help with diagnosis, treatment, and management of your specific cancer. We also coordinate with a cancer care team that may include your primary care physician, general surgeons, oncologic nurses, and medical support staff such as psychologists. Our goal is to educate the patient and their loved ones on fighting cancer from screening and diagnosis through survivorship.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is a term for many different types of diseases, all characterized by uncontrollable abnormal cell growth. The body has trillions of cells, all of which divide and grow daily. The DNA inside the body’s cells carry out separate functions and know based on the “instructions” of the cell type on how to multiply and divide. Not every cell grows and divides according to plan, though, because they are malfunctioning or have gene mutations during normal cell growth. Usually, the cells have a mechanism that can recognize and repair these mistakes, but when the errors are missed, the cells can become cancerous.
Healthy cells have a set life cycle and reproduce and die predictably as new cells take the place of old, dead cells. Cancer disrupts this process for reasons scientists, physicians, and researchers don’t fully understand. Because these cells start developing abnormally and grow and divide uncontrollably, it can be challenging to control. Medical treatments like chemotherapy indiscriminately kill both harmless and cancerous cells that are quick to divide, although medical advances are continuously being made through cancer research.
How an Oncologist Treats Cancer Patients
Many treatments combat cancer, and no two cancer patients, even if they have the same type, grade, and cancer stage, are treated identically. That’s because most people respond best to a combination of treatments, such as surgery, and/or chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Some patients may receive other treatments like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, or experimental cancer treatments through clinical trials.
When you need cancer treatment, talking with your oncologist can help you understand all you need to know about cancer, your treatment options and help you make informed decisions.
Additional Resources
Learn more about Hematologic Oncology
Learn more about Gynecologic Oncology
To make an appointment at RWJBarnabas Health with one of our hematologic or gynecologic oncologists, please visit our Physician Locator to find a provider near you. Existing patients can call a provider's office or visit MyChart to schedule an appointment online, at their convenience. New patients, please call 1-888-724-7123.