Caring for the Whole You

Your Patient Journey

A cancer diagnosis disrupts your life, so we nurture resilience and recovery from day one. Our signature Circle of Care approach guides you at every step. We listen to understand your unique situation then bring together experts including doctors, specialists, nurses, and care coordinators to create a plan just for you. With a team on your side and a wide range of support services, you receive a more complete, coordinated experience. Learn what to expect and see how we put you at the center of care.

Getting Started

What To Expect

As you and your family prepare for your first visit, know that we're here to support you before, during, and after treatment. We work closely with you to understand your needs and make your experience as comfortable as possible. Your care goes beyond treatment in our clinics, with a variety of support services for you and your loved ones.

First Steps

New Patients

Second Opinion Services

International Services

New Patient Services

Cancer Navigation Services

MyHealth Patient Portal

Financial Assistance

Diagnosis

What To Expect

Your care begins with getting a careful diagnosis, a key step in planning the right treatments for you. Our cancer specialists work as a team using advanced screening, prevention, surveillance, and testing methods to tailor your plan. We're experienced in recognizing signs of cancer, so we can choose the right methods to confirm a diagnosis.

Diagnostic Tools

  • Imaging
  • Lab Tests
  • Pathology
  • Non-Surgical Procedures
  • Genetic Testing

Treatment

What To Expect

Cancer affects each person differently, so your care team will help you choose treatment options to address your unique needs. We offer the latest advances in cancer therapies to make your treatment as successful as possible while minimizing side effects. We also meet regularly to review your progress and adjust your care plan as needed.

Treatment Types

  • Surgery
  • Medications
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Nuclear Medicine

Cancer Care Services

Coping with cancer requires support that goes beyond medical care. We offer services that promote healing for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. These services help make life a little easier for you and your loved ones during and after treatment.

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After Treatment

What To Expect

Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges for you and your loved ones. Our Cancer Survivorship Program begins at diagnosis and helps you build a support strategy to manage physical, social, and emotional challenges. You continue to see your care team for follow-up visits to monitor your health. We help you make life after cancer the best that it can be.

Cancer Survivorship Services

Find Services by Program

Blood & Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy

Brain & Spinal Tumor

Breast Cancer

Cutaneous (Skin) Cancer

Endocrine Tumor

GI Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head & Neck Cancer

Hematologic Cancer

Lymphoma

Sarcoma

Thoracic Cancer

Urologic Cancer

Explore FAQs

General FAQs

What is an oncologist? 

Your oncologist is a doctor focused on diagnosing and treating cancer through surgery, medications, or radiation therapy. Oncologists work with other types of doctors and cancer care professionals throughout your diagnosis and treatment process.

Oncologists at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center have years of training and experience in cancer care. The treatments we offer include:

  • Surgery to remove all or part of cancer tumors or affected body areas
  • Radiation therapy using high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells or prevent their spread
  • Drug therapy, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or other medications that travel through the bloodstream to treat cancer anywhere in the body
 

What is comprehensive care?

Stanford Medicine Cancer Center supports you with team-based care. That means our specialists work together to evaluate you, recommend treatment approaches, and deliver cancer care.

Our team members hold subspecialty training in the latest tools and techniques for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This additional, highly specific training means your care team has broad and deep experience in cancer care.

 

What is an academic medical center?

Stanford Medicine is an academic medical center, a hospital setting in which doctors teach medical students as they complete their education and training. Because Stanford is a teaching hospital, you may meet many doctors and doctors in training affiliated with the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Throughout your care at the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center, you will have a board-certified doctor as your attending physician. This fully credentialed doctor has complete responsibility for your care and works with you to make all your care decisions.

As part of their training, our medical students accompany attending physicians. This team approach provides contact with patients to prepare them as medical professionals.

 

What is Magnet® recognition?

Stanford Health Care has earned Magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This organization awards Magnet recognition for excellence and innovation in nursing practice and quality patient care. Learn more about the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.

 

What is Stanford’s connection to the National Cancer Institute?

The Stanford Medicine Cancer Center is designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. The cancer teams at these centers use the knowledge they gain from research to treat cancer more effectively.

The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more about NCI-designated cancer centers.

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From Patients FAQs

How can I deal with my anxiety and fear? How can I cope? 

Call 650-498-6000 to speak with us about how we can support you and your family members through Cancer Care Services. We offer a variety of programs that support physical, mental, and emotional healing and well-being for patients and caregivers.

Some programs require referral and are covered by insurance. Some are complimentary.

 

Can my family member or friend attend my appointment? 

Yes, always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can ask questions, write down and remember information from your care team, and provide support.

 

My children are having a hard time coping with my diagnosis. How can I help them?  

Deciding whether and how much to share with your children is personal. Call Cancer Care Services at 650-498-6000 to learn about the support available for your family members. We can help you decide on an approach for involving your family that is right for you. In addition to our services here at Stanford, you may find help at: www.cancerreallysucks.org

 

What is an advance health care directive? Where do I get one? 

An advance health care directive, also called a medical directive or living will, is a legal document you can complete. It specifies the kind of care and treatments you want (or don’t want) if you become seriously ill and can’t make such decisions yourself.

In California, an advance health care directive allows you to designate an agent (someone you trust) to make health care decisions on your behalf. You can also list your health care instructions. You can ask your doctor, nurse, social worker, or other health care provider for more information.

At Stanford, advance health care directive forms are available in the hospital units and at the clinics. You can also call our Spiritual Care Service at 650-723-5101 to get a form or discuss a directive with one of our spiritual care counselors.

 

What should I expect after treatment? 

Our Cancer Survivorship Program helps you adjust to and manage life after treatment for cancer. You’ll speak with advance practice providers (APPs), survivorship experts who specialize in working with people with cancer and their families.

We help you and your family transition from diagnosis to wellness through a variety of psychosocial services, in addition to medical care. Call Cancer Care Services at 650-498-6000.

 

Whom can I speak to about my work and job during treatment? 

Our social workers can help you plan ways to manage your job during cancer care. Call Cancer Care Services at 650-498-6000 to speak with us about your work-related concerns. We can help you with completing disability paperwork, finding financial assistance, and taking a leave of absence from your job during treatment.

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From Family Members and Caregivers FAQs

How can I offer support during medical appointments or treatment? 

You can support a loved one receiving care in many ways. You can help with day-to-day activities such as going with them to doctor visits or preparing food, for example. You can also coordinate care and services by phone or email.

For coping, often the best support you can provide is helping your loved one work through feelings. Talk with your loved one, listen, or just be present.

Although you may feel inclined to put your own feelings and needs aside, it’s important to take care of yourself too. Call Cancer Care Services at 650-498-6000 to speak with someone about seeking support for your loved one and yourself.

 

How do I balance the needs of the patient with my own needs? 

Finding a balance between your loved one’s needs and your own can feel challenging. As much as possible, continue the activities that you did before diagnosis.

Ask family members, friends, neighbors, and community members to help. They can provide support when you need a break.

 

I’m exhausted. Whom can I talk to about my feelings? 

Remember that you are not alone—you can find support among other caregivers. We offer workshops, support groups, and other programs for people who have cancer and their caregivers. Talk with your care team or call Cancer Care Services at 650-498-6000 for more details about our cancer supportive care programs at Palo Alto and South Bay.

 

How do I tell my family and friends about the diagnosis? How do I answer all the questions people ask me? 

Only you and your loved one can decide the right way and time to tell family and friends about the cancer diagnosis. Family and friends may have a wide range of reactions, from wanting to know more details to giving advice to not knowing how to react at all. Talking with family and friends about the cancer diagnosis can help them provide support.

Some of our patients recommend websites where you can create personal, privacy-protected pages for your loved one’s health journey:

  • CaringBridge allows people to share updates, photos, videos, and words of encouragement. You can also schedule help with everyday tasks such as meals, carpools, errands, and appointments. Learn more about CaringBridge.
  • MyLifeLine offers similar services but is specifically for people affected by cancer. In addition to the personal page for your family member, you can find educational and supportive resources for cancer. Learn more about MyLifeLine.
 

What are the side effects of cancer treatment? How do I help manage these side effects? 

Common side effects of cancer treatment include fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, and nausea. Specific side effects depend on the type of treatment and medications the patient is receiving.

Your loved one’s care team can show you how to recognize side effects and help manage them. Ask team members:

  • Which side effects should be reported right away, and how should I report them?
  • Which side effects require a visit to the emergency room?

Keep track of:

  • Date and time that the symptom or side effect started and how long it lasted
  • Description of the side effect or symptom
  • Symptoms or side effects that worsen or become difficult to manage
 

What hotels are near Stanford Medicine Cancer Center if I need to stay overnight? 

Your social worker can provide you with current information on housing and hotels near Stanford Medicine’s clinics and hospitals. Learn more about where to stay during treatment or call Cancer Care Services at 650-498-6000.

 

How can I learn more about my loved one’s condition? 

Find answers to your questions about cancer at the Stanford Health Library, with help from professional medical librarians and trained volunteers. We offer free, science-based information to help answer your medical questions.

You can access journal articles, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions and treatment options at the library. We also provide information on related issues such as coping, caregiving, pain management, and eating. You can request a comprehensive literature search on the latest research to answer your specific questions.

Stop in, call, or email us:

  • Cancer Center, Palo Alto: First floor near the café, 650-736-1960

How can I speak to someone about paying for treatment? 

Meet with one of our financial counselors to determine the best approach to paying for your health care. Call 844-498-2900 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our financial counselors work with you to:

  • Understand your health insurance coverage and benefits
  • Estimate your out-of-pocket costs for your care at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center
  • Connect you with as many resources as possible to help pay for your care
  • Answer your questions about billing and financial assistance
  • Help you complete financial applications
  • Find places to stay near Stanford Medicine Cancer Center
 

How can I apply for financial assistance? 

Stanford Health Care offers a variety of financial assistance options for uninsured or underinsured patients. Some options require an application, while others do not.

No application is necessary for:

  • Discounts for people who are uninsured (may not include all services)
  • No-interest payment plans (balances typically to be paid within 6 months)

You must submit a completed financial assistance application and proof of income for:

  • Financial need discounts at a rate comparable to our government payers (may not include all services)
  • Full financial assistance for 100 percent of the patient portion of treatment costs (may not include all services)
  • Extended no-interest payment plans for patients who qualify for financial need discounts

You can get a financial assistance application form:

View More From Family Members and Caregivers FAQs

New Patients

650-498-6000

Current Patients

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To make an appointment with one of our cancer specialists, call 650-498-6000.