What does a medical oncologist do?

A medical oncologist specialises in diagnosing and treating cancer using systemic therapies — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy. At SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, the medical oncologist also coordinates the multidisciplinary team, oversees treatment planning, manages side effects, and provides palliative or supportive care when required.

What is the difference between medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology?

Medical oncology uses drug-based systemic treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy). Surgical oncology involves the physical removal of tumours. Radiation oncology uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. At SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai, all three disciplines collaborate through a multidisciplinary tumour board to deliver a coordinated treatment plan for each patient.

How is chemotherapy planned for an individual patient at SL Raheja Hospital?

Chemotherapy at SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai is guided by tumour genetics, molecular profiling, clinical staging, and patient-specific factors including performance status and comorbidities. This precision medicine approach means drug selection, dosing, and scheduling are tailored to the individual rather than applied as a standard protocol.

Is immunotherapy available at SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai?

Yes. Immunotherapy is part of the systemic therapy options available through the medical oncology department at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim West, Mumbai. It is used for selected cancer types — including certain head and neck, lung, and metastatic cancers — where tumour profiling indicates it is appropriate. Suitability is assessed case by case.

When should I see a medical oncologist?

You should consult a medical oncologist if you have received a cancer diagnosis, have been referred by a surgeon or general physician following suspicious findings, or are seeking a second opinion on an existing treatment plan. Early consultation allows for timely staging, treatment planning, and, where relevant, access to clinical trials. Use the booking form on this page to schedule an appointment.

How do I book an appointment with the Medical Oncology team at SL Raheja Hospital?

You can book a consultation using the appointment form on this page or by emailing info@rahejahospital.com. The hospital is located at Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim West, Mumbai 400016. When contacting the team, mention your cancer type and any prior investigations or treatment to help the team prepare for your consultation.

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Medical Oncology in Mumbai | SL Raheja Hospital

SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai offers specialist medical oncology services including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Book a consultation today.

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What is Medical Oncology and what does SL Raheja Hospital offer?

SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai provides specialised medical oncology services for patients diagnosed with cancer. The programme covers precision chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, delivered through a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. Care is tailored to each patient's tumour type, stage, and individual clinical profile.

Tip: Medical oncology focuses on systemic (drug-based) cancer treatment. It works alongside surgical oncology and radiation oncology as part of a coordinated, multidisciplinary care plan.

Located at Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim West, Mumbai 400016, S.L. Raheja Hospital — A Fortis Associate — brings together clinical expertise and a structured treatment pathway to support patients from diagnosis through to recovery and long-term follow-up.

Which cancers and conditions are treated by the Medical Oncology team?

The medical oncology department at SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai manages a broad range of malignancies, including but not limited to:

Breast cancer — including hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative subtypes
Colorectal cancer — including locally advanced and metastatic disease (stages 3 and 4)
Oesophageal and gastric cancer — including locally advanced and metastatic stages
Head and neck cancers — requiring systemic therapy in combination with surgery or radiotherapy
Lung cancer — including non-small cell and small cell variants
Haematological malignancies — such as lymphomas and leukaemias
Genitourinary cancers — including prostate, bladder, and renal cell carcinoma
Gynaecological cancers — including ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
Gastrointestinal cancers — including pancreatic and hepatobiliary malignancies
Metastatic and recurrent cancers — where systemic therapy, clinical trial access, or palliative care may be indicated

Warning: Early consultation with a medical oncologist is important. Many cancers respond better to systemic therapy when treatment begins before the disease reaches an advanced stage. Do not delay seeking an opinion if you have been referred or have concerns.

What treatment procedures does the Medical Oncology department provide?

Medical oncology at SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai uses systemic therapies — treatments that act throughout the body — to target cancer cells, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life. The principal modalities include:

Treatment Modality	How It Works	Common Applications
Precision Chemotherapy	Cytotoxic agents targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells; schedules optimised to patient-specific pharmacokinetic profiles	Breast, colorectal, lung, haematological cancers
Targeted Therapy	Agents directed at specific molecular targets (e.g. signal-transduction inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies) identified through tumour profiling	HER2-positive breast cancer, CRC with specific mutations, gastric cancer
Immunotherapy	Agents that enhance the immune system's ability to recognise and destroy cancer cells	Head and neck cancers, lung cancer, metastatic disease
Perioperative & Adjuvant Chemotherapy	Systemic therapy given before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery to reduce recurrence risk	Breast, gastric, oesophageal, colorectal cancers
Palliative Systemic Therapy	Treatment aimed at controlling symptoms, maintaining quality of life, and prolonging survival in advanced or metastatic disease	Metastatic and recurrent cancers across all sites
Hormonal / Endocrine Therapy	Agents that block hormones driving tumour growth	Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, prostate cancer

Treatment selection is guided by tumour genetics, molecular diagnostics, clinical staging, patient performance status, and comorbidities — consistent with a precision medicine approach.

Who are the Medical Oncology specialists at SL Raheja Hospital?

The medical oncology team at SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai comprises specialists trained in systemic cancer therapy, tumour board coordination, and supportive care. Each oncologist works within a multidisciplinary framework alongside surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists to ensure integrated treatment planning.

For details on individual consultants — including qualifications, areas of subspeciality interest, and appointment availability — please use the booking form on this page or contact the hospital directly at info@rahejahospital.com.

Tip: When booking, mention your cancer type and any prior treatment history. This helps the team assign the most appropriate specialist and prepare for your first consultation.

Why do patients choose SL Raheja Hospital for cancer treatment in Mumbai?

Multidisciplinary tumour boards: Treatment decisions are made collaboratively by medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists — not by a single clinician in isolation.
Precision medicine approach: Chemotherapy schedules and systemic therapy choices are guided by tumour-specific molecular and genetic profiling, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Full spectrum of systemic therapies: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and palliative systemic care are all available under one roof at Mahim West, Mumbai.
Integrated supportive care: Nutritional support, pain management, and management of treatment side effects are coordinated alongside active cancer therapy.
Fortis Associate network: As a Fortis Associate hospital, SL Raheja Hospital connects patients to a broader clinical network, including access to clinical trials and specialist referrals where appropriate.

What is the step-by-step patient journey for Medical Oncology at SL Raheja Hospital?

From your first contact with SL Raheja Hospital's medical oncology team in Mumbai, a structured pathway guides your care:

Initial Consultation: A medical oncologist reviews your referral, symptoms, and any existing investigations. A detailed clinical history is taken and a physical examination is performed.
Diagnosis and Staging: Imaging (CT, MRI, PET), biopsy, pathology, and molecular or genetic tumour profiling are coordinated to confirm diagnosis and determine disease stage.
Multidisciplinary Tumour Board Review: Your case is presented to a tumour board comprising oncology specialists across disciplines. A consensus treatment plan is established, balancing clinical goals with your preferences and performance status.
Treatment Initiation: Systemic therapy — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination — is commenced according to the agreed plan. Perioperative or adjuvant therapy is coordinated with surgical and radiation teams as needed.
Monitoring and Response Assessment: Regular clinical reviews, blood tests, and imaging assess treatment response. Schedules are adjusted based on response data and tolerability.
Recovery, Survivorship, and Follow-up: On completion of active treatment, a survivorship plan is established covering surveillance imaging, management of long-term side effects, nutritional rehabilitation, and psychological support.

Book a consultation at SL Raheja Hospital

Use the booking form on this page, or reach out directly:

Email: info@rahejahospital.com

A medical oncologist specialises in diagnosing and treating cancer using systemic therapies — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy. At SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, the medical oncologist also coordinates the multidisciplinary team, oversees treatment planning, manages side effects, and provides palliative or supportive care when required.
Medical oncology uses drug-based systemic treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy). Surgical oncology involves the physical removal of tumours. Radiation oncology uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. At SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai, all three disciplines collaborate through a multidisciplinary tumour board to deliver a coordinated treatment plan for each patient.
Chemotherapy at SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai is guided by tumour genetics, molecular profiling, clinical staging, and patient-specific factors including performance status and comorbidities. This precision medicine approach means drug selection, dosing, and scheduling are tailored to the individual rather than applied as a standard protocol.
Yes. Immunotherapy is part of the systemic therapy options available through the medical oncology department at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim West, Mumbai. It is used for selected cancer types — including certain head and neck, lung, and metastatic cancers — where tumour profiling indicates it is appropriate. Suitability is assessed case by case.
You should consult a medical oncologist if you have received a cancer diagnosis, have been referred by a surgeon or general physician following suspicious findings, or are seeking a second opinion on an existing treatment plan. Early consultation allows for timely staging, treatment planning, and, where relevant, access to clinical trials. Use the booking form on this page to schedule an appointment.
You can book a consultation using the appointment form on this page or by emailing info@rahejahospital.com. The hospital is located at Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim West, Mumbai 400016. When contacting the team, mention your cancer type and any prior investigations or treatment to help the team prepare for your consultation.