Today’s cancer treatments are more effective than ever. But they can also lead to complicated side effects that affect your heart, kidneys, bones, hormones, skin and more.
At RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center, our oncology medical specialists focus on preventing and treating these side effects. Working side-by-side with your cancer providers, they help support your health and quality of life throughout your treatment and beyond.
Managing Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
The goal of your cancer treatment is to treat the cancer without introducing new health problems. That’s where our oncology medical specialty teams come in.
Our collaborative team partners with your oncologists and surgeons to monitor, manage and prevent side effects. Your team may include:
- Cardiologists who protect your heart from the effects of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy
- Nephrologists who protect your kidney function and manage your blood pressure
- Dermatologists who treat skin, hair and nail side effects
- Endocrinologists who support your bone health, hormones, blood sugar and weight changes
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialists who help you maintain strength, mobility and function
- Reproductive endocrinologists and gynecologists who support your fertility and sexual health
This coordinated approach to addressing your side effects can help you:
- Tolerate treatment more easily
- Reduce long-term health risks
- Improve your quality of life during and after cancer treatment
- Address complications early, when they are easier to treat
Common Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
While today’s treatments continue to improve cancer survival rates, they can also affect other systems in your body.
Common side effects from cancer treatment include:
- Bone loss and increased fracture risk
- Hormone changes, including thyroid problems and early menopause
- Joint and muscle pain, weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss or weight gain and high blood sugar
- High blood pressure and changes in kidney function
- Heart damage or heart disease
- Rashes, sores and other skin, hair and nail changes
The good news is that you don’t have to live with these side effects.
Our team of oncology medical specialists understands how cancer treatment affects your whole body. They can help you manage your symptoms while you continue your cancer treatment safely.
Who Are Oncology Medical Specialties?
Oncology medical specialists are experts in conditions that are either caused or worsened by cancer treatment.
Your oncology medical specialist will not treat the cancer itself. Instead, they’ll treat how your cancer treatment is affecting your overall health and well-being.
Endocrine Oncology
Cancer treatment can affect your hormones, bones and metabolism. Our endocrine oncology team specializes in preventing and treating these changes.
For example, some hormone-based cancer therapies, such as those used for breast and prostate cancer, speed up bone loss. Research shows people lose 3% or more of their bone density each year during treatment. Our endocrine oncology specialist can help protect your bones and reduce your risk for fractures while you continue life-saving treatment.
This care may focus on:
- Preserving and protecting your bone health with medications that strengthen bones, including infusion therapies
- Treating thyroid, adrenal and pituitary problems caused by immunotherapy
- Managing hormone changes, such as early menopause or low testosterone
- Supporting healthy weight management
- Managing high blood sugar and diabetes related to cancer treatment
Cardio-Oncology
Some cancer treatments, including certain types of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy, can affect your heart. Heart disease is one of the most serious long-term side effects of cancer treatment.
RUSH MD Anderson’s dedicated cardio-oncology team works with your cancer team to protect your heart during and after treatment. They also provide long-term care and support to promptly address cancer-related heart risks after treatment.
Some of the services you can expect with cardio-oncology include:
- Heart risk assessment before treatment
- Heart function monitoring
- Blood pressure management
- Long-term heart healthcare
Onco-Nephrology (Kidney Health)
Some cancer treatments can affect your kidneys directly. Others can raise your blood pressure, which can strain your kidneys over time.
Our onco-nephrologists are kidney specialists who focus on protecting your kidney function and managing high blood pressure during and after cancer treatment.
This care may include:
- Blood pressure monitoring and management
- Kidney function testing
- Management of electrolyte imbalances, such as low sodium, potassium or magnesium
- Medication review and dose adjustments to protect your kidneys
Oncodermatology (Skin Health)
Immunotherapies and targeted therapies can sometimes lead to uncomfortable skin, hair and nail changes. Our experts focus on treating these conditions, providing relief and improving your confidence and quality of life.
They focus on treating:
- Rashes and other skin reactions from cancer treatment
- Sores, itching and other skin concerns
- Hair and nail changes
Cancer Rehabilitation
Cancer and its treatment can cause weakness, fatigue, pain and trouble with daily activities. Our physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists help you stay active, rebuild strength and keep doing the things that matter to you.
This care may include:
- Treatment for joint and muscle pain, stiffness and nerve problems
- Personalized exercise and therapy plans
- Support for mobility, balance and fall prevention
Gynecology Care
Many cancer treatments—including chemotherapy and certain surgeries—can affect fertility, hormones, and sexual health. Our reproductive endocrinologists and gynecologists provide specialized care to help manage these changes and support your reproductive health.
RUSH MD Anderson has a referral partnership with Fertility Centers of Illinois, providing patients with access to specialized reproductive care and fertility services after cancer treatment.
Coordinated Care
Your oncology medical specialist will not replace your cancer care providers. But they will work closely with your team to support your treatment plan. Together, they’ll focus on the most effective ways to treat the cancer with the fewest side effects.
Your providers will coordinate with you and each other to monitor your side effects and adjust your care as needed. This collaborative approach helps ensure that your preferences, needs and quality of life guides your treatment plan.
It will also help:
- Reduce treatment interruptions
- Relieve your symptoms so you can feel better faster
- Increase your confidence in your care
When Are Oncology Medical Specialists Involved?
Our oncology medical specialists are available before, during and after your cancer treatment.
After diagnosis, your cancer team will discuss your treatment options and potential side effects. Depending on your care plan, they may recommend seeing one of our oncology medical specialists.
You can also talk with your cancer team about any concerns and request an appointment with one of these specialists. You do not need a referral from a RUSH MD Anderson cancer doctor to schedule a visit.
RUSH MD Anderson Excellence in Oncology Medical Specialty Care
- Integrated care: Your oncology medical specialty team works directly with your cancer team. This collaboration helps ensure that your side effects are addressed quickly while keeping your treatment plan on track. It also helps you and your team center every treatment decision around your overall health, quality of life and personal preferences.
- Preventing long-term complications: Your oncology medical specialty team monitors you before, during and after treatment to catch issues early. As with all cancer care, early detection and treatment can reduce your risk for long-term complications and help prevent health problems after you complete treatment.
- Comprehensive cancer support services: Our oncology medical specialty services are part of RUSH MD Anderson’s comprehensive cancer support services. These services focus on improving your quality of life by providing physical, emotional, social and spiritual support. These services are available to all patients who are receiving cancer care at RUSH MD Anderson.
FAQs About Oncology Medical Subspecialties
RUSH MD Anderson’s team of oncology medical specialists treat the side effects of cancer treatment. These doctors focus on how treatment affects your heart, hormones, bones, skin, reproductive health, kidneys, strength and mobility, and other systems.
Typically, no. In many cases, you can continue your treatment even if you are experiencing side effects. Managing these side effects with our oncology medical specialists allows many of our patients to continue treatment safely and effectively. Always talk with your cancer team before making any changes to your treatment.
Talk with your cancer team or call (312) CANCER-1 to schedule an appointment. You do not need a referral from a RUSH MD Anderson cancer doctor.