Oncology (Medical)

Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Blog

Read the latest news, information and stories from Mayo Clinic's cancer experts and patients

Oncology at Mayo Clinic is one of the largest, most comprehensive cancer diagnosis and treatment programs in the world. Each year thousands of people who have any of more than 200 kinds of cancer seek treatment at Mayo Clinic from oncologists and other cancer experts.

Oncologists specialize in managing drug treatments for people with early and advanced cancers that affect the organs, muscles, bones and connective tissue. However, people with some early-stage cancers may be treated with surgery or radiation therapy alone and may not need the care of an oncologist.

Treatments managed by oncologists include:

• Immunotherapy
• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Targeted drug therapy
• Biological therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Supportive and Palliative Care Therapies
• Experimental therapies
• Other systemic treatments
• Complementary and Integrative Therapies

Oncologists at Mayo Clinic have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of every kind of cancer, including:

• Brain tumors
• Head and neck cancers
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Liver cancer
• Biliary cancers
• Pancreatic cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Colon cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Other gynecological cancers
• Prostate cancer
• Sarcomas
• Melanoma
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors

To understand Mayo Clinic's approach to treating cancers of the blood and blood-forming organs, such as leukemia and lymphoma, visit the hematology page.

People with cancer who seek care at Mayo Clinic have access to a full range of treatment options, including standard and experimental treatments. Mayo Clinic oncologists collaborate with experts in all other departments to provide coordinated and integrated, multidisciplinary care to people with all types of cancer.

Oncologists are active in the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center. It is the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center with three sites — Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center ranks in the top tier of cancer centers for cancer research, treatment and education.

People with cancer who seek care at Mayo Clinic will find experts equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide the best care:

• Research. Novel drug, immunologic, biological targeted therapies and gene therapies are being studied intensively within the department to determine their potential for cancer treatment.

  This clinical expertise aligns strongly with the research programs of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. The close connection between clinical care and research makes it possible for eligible patients to enroll in cutting-edge clinical cancer research studies, receive the most advanced treatments, and learn about their illness to actively participate in decisions about their treatment.

• Collaborative care. A full team of oncologists and allied health professionals specializing in medical oncology can be found at Mayo Clinic's three campuses.

  The oncology team works closely with colleagues who specialize in internal medicine, radiology, medical genetics, neurology, pathology, speech pathology and others to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and help tailor an appropriate, individualized care plan.

  In order to deliver effective care, oncologists collaborate with colleagues in radiation oncology, surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, palliative care, psychiatry and psychology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

• Cancer registry. Mayo Clinic's cancer registry collects information about cancer diagnoses, treatments and outcomes, which leads to improved care for people with cancer.

• Focused on you. Mayo Clinic oncologists provide personalized, whole-person care to people with cancer. They are committed to the driving principle set forth by Mayo Clinic's founders that "the best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered."

  Oncologists at Mayo Clinic are committed to a personal approach to cancer care. They focus on the personal as well as the medical needs of people with cancer by providing a diverse range of services for patients and their families.

• Targeted information. Mayo Clinic's Cancer Education Center complements these efforts by providing people with cancer and their families with a large library and resource service devoted exclusively to cancer information.

Since its founding more than 150 years ago, Mayo Clinic has offered cancer treatment. Thousands of people come to Mayo Clinic for cancer care each year. For some, coming to Mayo Clinic was a last resort. More commonly, people with cancer choose Mayo Clinic early in their diagnoses to access more treatment options to fight their cancers, and experience better outcomes and higher rates of healing and survival.

Mayo Clinic Health System clinics, hospitals and health care facilities serve more than 70 communities in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. These sites bring Mayo Clinic cancer care to their local communities.