NHL Care Team

Advanced practiced providers have training that is similar to physicians and can see you without your physician. At Fred Hutch, these health care professionals work closely with your hematologist-oncologist in the clinic. There are two types: physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). They help provide and plan your treatment and also help manage the effects of your disease and treatment.

This physician manages your medicine-based treatments. Most people with NHL begin treatment by getting chemotherapy. Some people get targeted therapy or immunotherapy. If watchful waiting is right for you, you will see this physician on a regular schedule to check your health and, if you need it, to start treatment. 

Your hematologist-oncologist will: 

• See you during your first visit. They will give you an exam and order any tests you need to diagnose or stage your disease. 
• Explain what your diagnosis and stage mean and answer your questions. 
• Recommend medicines, doses, schedule and sequence to match your exact needs. They will also talk with you about the benefits and risks. 
• See you on a regular schedule to check how your cancer responds to treatment and how you are overall. 
• Offer you ways to prevent, relieve and cope with side effects of treatment, like medicine to help with nausea. 
• Coordinate with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment. 

Infusions happen in a dedicated area of the clinic. Cancer nurses who are experts in infusions give these treatments. They will also check you during each infusion. They respond to any medical issues that come up and help keep you comfortable. 

Your patient care coordinator works closely with you and your physician. They serve as your scheduler.

Your nurse manages your care with your physician. They also help with procedures and treatments. Nurses are resources for you and your caregiver. They can answer questions on a wide range of topics, like how to cope with side effects or get other services you need at Fred Hutch.

This physician treats cancer with radiation. They prescribe and manage this part of your care. Working with a radiation oncology team, they plan and deliver your treatments. 

Your radiation oncologist will: 

• See you if your medical exam shows that radiation therapy is likely to help. If you did not need radiation at the start of care, but your situation changes, we will arrange for you to see a radiation oncologist then. 
• Recommend radiation therapy to match your case. They will decide the type, dose and schedule. They will also talk with you about the benefits and risks. 
• Work behind the scenes with other radiation experts. These experts make sure you receive the right dose in the right places (dosimetrist). They also maintain the equipment that is used (medical physicist). 
• Answer your questions about radiation therapy, like why you need it and what to expect. 
• See you on a regular schedule during radiation therapy to check how your cancer responds and how you are doing overall. 
• Offer you ways to prevent, relieve and cope with side effects of treatment, like medicine to help with nausea. 
• Coordinate with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment. 

This specialist sees you when you come in for radiation treatment. They explain your treatment, check your health, answer your questions and help you with side effects. 

This specialist positions you each time you come in for radiation treatment. This makes sure that your treatment goes to the right places on your body. They also operate the machines that deliver the radiation. 

This physician reads your imaging tests and decides what they mean. They also do some types of biopsies. 

Your radiologist will: 

• Look for abnormal areas on images from tests like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), X-ray and others. 
• “Decode” the meaning of your images and recommend whether to have more imaging, a biopsy or other care. 
• Do a fine-needle biopsy or core biopsy, often guided by an X-ray or ultrasound. 
• Work with the rest of your care team about any tests and treatments you need. 

Many types of supportive care team members are here to help you and your family. They include dietitians, physical therapists, pain medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers, spiritual health staff, palliative care specialists, naturopaths and acupuncturists.

Learn more about Supportive Care Services

If you need a blood or marrow transplant, you will have a specialized team from the Fred Hutch Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Your team includes a transplant oncologist, advanced practice provider, transplant nurse, pharmacist, registered dietitian, team coordinator and social worker. This team will: 

• Give you an exam (and your donor, if you need one). 
• Decide on a transplant approach to match your case.  
• Prepare you and your caregiver. 
• Do your transplant. 
• Provide care as you recover.

Learn more about your Blood and Marrow Transplant Team