Your Cancer Care Team

Nationally recognized expertise from diagnosis to recovery with Scripps Cancer Center

A group of radiation oncologists in discussion represents the team of cancer experts who will care for you at Scripps.

Drs. Prabhakar Tripuraneni, Thomas Buchholz and Ray Lin, Scripps Cancer Center, Scripps Clinic

Nationally recognized expertise from diagnosis to recovery with Scripps Cancer Center

When you’ve received a cancer diagnosis, you want to be cared for by a team of expert, experienced cancer specialists who put your health and well-being at the center of everything they do.


Your multidisciplinary Scripps Cancer Center care team includes professionals from every area of cancer medicine, including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, oncology nurses and more. Your entire team is dedicated to providing outstanding, personalized medical care and compassionate support every step of the way. 


As soon as you’re diagnosed with cancer, your physician brings your team members together to find the best, most effective options and helps you make informed decisions. This team includes:



From screening and diagnosis to treatment and support services, your team works collaboratively, sharing information and coordinating your care throughout your journey. Learn more about our various cancer care experts below.

Oncologists and cancer treatment experts

Oncologists and cancer treatment experts

Scripps Cancer Center oncologists specialize in treating cancer with a variety of therapies. They may treat many types of cancer or focus on cancer that affects a specific organ (such as liver cancer) or region of the body (such as breast cancer).

Radiation oncologists

Our radiation oncologists are physicians who use radiation therapy to destroy cancer.


Scripps radiation oncologists use advanced radiation techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), to target cancer cells while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues and organs.

Surgical oncologist

Surgical oncologists are physicians who perform surgery to remove tumors. Many Scripps surgeons are experts in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, which minimize the size and number of incisions. This can result in less pain, reduced scarring and a faster recovery time.

Interventional radiologists

Interventional radiologists are physicians who treat cancer using small catheters or needles to deliver treatments to a tumor. The tools are inserted through very small incisions, and guided to the affected area by advanced imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan. 

Gynecologic oncologists

Scripps gynecologic oncologists are physicians who specialize in treating cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive system, including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer (uterine cancer) and cervical cancer.

Hematologists/hematologic oncologists

Hematologists and hematologic oncologists are physicians who specialize in cancers that affect the blood, such as leukemia.

Urologic oncologists

Urologic oncologists treat cancers that affect the urinary system and male reproductive organs, such as bladder cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer. 

Oncology nurses and nurse navigators

Oncology nurses and nurse navigators

Nurses are an integral part of your cancer care team at Scripps Cancer Center. Many of our nurses are specially trained in oncology care and will help you through the challenges of cancer treatment, both physically and emotionally.

Oncology nurses

Registered nurses who have special training in cancer care, our oncology nurses have focused their nursing education on the most current treatment and care practices. Our nurses approach your care with the highest levels of expertise, compassion and sensitivity.

Nurse navigators

Scripps nurse navigators are registered nurses who are experts in understanding complex cancer care and can play a vital role in guiding you and your family to the appropriate cancer care team. In addition to helping ensure you receive care as quickly and efficiently as possible, our nurse navigators can help explain your initial diagnosis, answer your questions, and help with education and resources.

Cancer diagnostics specialists

Cancer diagnostics specialists

Scripps diagnostic specialists analyze information from your blood tests, imaging exams, biopsies and other tests to determine the type, location and stage of cancer for each patient. In addition, they help develop personalized cancer treatment plans based on their findings.

Diagnostic radiologists

Scripps radiologists are physicians who specialize in evaluating medical imaging technology, such as X-rays, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans, to help diagnose cancer and, depending on the type of cancer, how far it may have spread.

Pathologists

Pathologists are physicians with specialized training in diagnosing cancer by analyzing tissue, cell and blood samples under a microscope. Pathologists play a vital role in determining the type and stage of many cancers.

Patient support professionals

Patient support professionals

Your cancer care at Scripps Cancer Center goes far beyond your medical treatments. Cancer can bring many challenges: physical, emotional, social, financial and more. Your Scripps cancer care team includes professionals to help you in every one of these areas, so you always have someone to turn to. Depending on your individual needs, your patient support team may include the following.

Oncology social workers

Our oncology social workers provide guidance to you and your loved ones during the many changes and challenges that may accompany cancer. These specially trained professionals can help you identify appropriate community and medical resources, provide counseling, assist with transportation and housing, arrange care after you leave the hospital and more.

Mental health professionals

Our experts in psychology, psychiatry and emotional health are ready to help you and your family learn to adjust to life with cancer. From individual and family counseling to referrals for services available in the community, we’re here for you.

Spiritual support

Our chaplains provide non-denominational spiritual care at every Scripps hospital, and can reach out to your own clergy, rabbi or spiritual advisor to coordinate spiritual care for you.

Genetic counseling

Our genetic counselors are health care professionals with a graduate degree in medical genetics and counseling. If you have an increased risk of hereditary cancer, our genetic counselor can provide information and recommendations about your risks, cancer screening options and genetic testing for you and your family members.

Integrative medicine specialists

The professionals at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine blend medical expertise with complementary therapies focused on healing body, mind and spirit. Our integrative medicine specialists create personalized cancer support programs that may include such services as acupuncture, yoga for cancer, meditation, therapeutic supplements and more designed to complement your medical treatments.

Registered dietitians

Cancer and cancer treatment can affect your appetite and nutritional requirements. Our registered dietitian nutritionists offer individualized nutrition support to help our patients with cancer meet their dietary needs and eat healthfully.

Rehabilitation therapists

Our professional rehabilitation therapists are available if needed to help you regain strength and get back to your daily activities. Our therapists provide a range of personalized services, including:


Home health care

Our home health care experts include registered nurses and other professionals who provide care for patients in their homes. Scripps Home Health Care coordinates home care with cancer care team members to ensure your treatment plan seamlessly transfers from hospital to home.