On top of the fear and grief in learning that you have an aggressive form of cancer, you’ll have many appointments, some directly related to your treatment and others to help you with the financial, emotional, and practical challenges. Figuring out who does what — and who can help you with specific issues — can be difficult in itself.
“Navigating the various members of a treatment team can be stressful,” says Christin Barnett, LCSW, an information specialist at Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). “Educating yourself about your treatment team and what their roles are might help reduce some of this stress and empower you to utilize your team to get your needs met.”
Members of Your Large B-Cell Lymphoma Care Team
We’ve rounded up a list of the health professionals you’ll want on your care team and the role they can play in your treatment journey. Some may be assigned to you through your hospital or treatment center, while others you may need to seek out yourself.
“We definitely feel that cancer care is a team sport,” says Anita Kumar, MD, a lymphoma specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Different care providers will attend to your physical, mental, and financial health during treatment.
Oncologist-Hematologist
Your oncologist or oncologist-hematologist is “your cancer quarterback,” says Dr. Kumar. They specialize in managing your cancer to eliminate or slow the growth of your cancer and extending your life. “We do disease evaluation and other clinical testing to understand your overall health status,” says Kumar. “Together, these are important components that help put together an optimal treatment plan.”
Radiation Oncologist
In addition to chemotherapy and immunotherapy (often called “chemoimmunotherapy”), treatment for LBCL may involve radiation therapy. If your oncologist recommends radiation, you’ll have a radiation oncologist to lead this part of your treatment.
Oncology Nurse
An oncology nurse will administer your chemotherapy and will likely be your go-to for any questions that come up during treatment. Not sure when to communicate through the medical portal versus call the office, or what to do if new side effects appear? Your oncology nurse likely has answers – or can connect you with someone who does.
In addition, your oncology nurse will explain what to expect during your treatment and potential side effects. A nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant may work alongside the oncology nurse to ensure that your treatment goes according to your doctor’s plan.
Disease Specialists
If you have preexisting chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, you may work with your cardiologist, endocrinologist, or another specialist to ensure that the LBCL treatment is not worsening these conditions. For example, chemoimmunotherapy can cause cardiac side effects, Kumar explains, while chemotherapy that contains steroids can affect blood sugar management and increase the risk of neuropathy.
You can avoid these side effects by continuing to see your regular specialists and ensuring that your entire care team is aware of your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Social Worker
Another key player on your LBCL treatment team will be a social worker who is trained to help you navigate the emotional, logistical, and even financial challenges that can come up during treatment. A social worker can help you with everything from navigating health insurance and requesting medical leave at work to securing transportation to and from the hospital. You can think of them as your advocate who ensures that your needs are met during — and after — treatment.
Mental Health Professional
Grappling with a cancer diagnosis and treatment can cause or exacerbate mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder — and your mental health can impact your treatment outcomes. One study suggests that having preexisting depression or anxiety up to two years before a diffuse LBCL diagnosis is linked to a lower five-year survival rate compared with those without existing depression or anxiety.
It’s important to address any mental health challenges that existed before your diagnosis, as well as anything that comes up during or after your treatment, says Kumar. If you’re unsure where to turn, your social worker can provide referrals and connect you to support groups and other mental health resources.
Financial Navigator
Blood cancer is one of the most expensive cancer types to treat. However, one study found that participating in a financial navigation program saved people who have hematologic cancer an average of $2,500 each.
A financial navigator, often provided through your hospital or treatment center, can help you understand, budget for, and find assistance for the direct costs of treatment, as well as indirect costs such as transportation, lodging, time off from work (to attend appointments or recover from treatment), prescription drug costs, and more.If a financial navigator is not available to you, your social worker may help with these needs.
Loved Ones
Although they aren’t medical or social work professionals, your friends and family are key members of your care team. “Your support system can help you cope with the stress associated with a cancer diagnosis,” says Barnett. Your loved ones can lend an ear, offer practical help, and even provide a healthy distraction when it feels like all you can think about is cancer.
Build a Care Team That Works for You
“Each patient’s journey is individual and unique,” says Kumar, which is reflected in their care team. You may work with a dietitian or nutritionist, a palliative care specialist, a physical therapist, or other providers who can help you manage specific symptoms or side effects and enhance your quality of life during and after treatment.
Having a full LBCL treatment team can feel overwhelming at first, but you can take comfort knowing that you have a whole group of people ready to support you. Plus, members of the care team can point you to additional resources and directories to help you find — and get — the help you need.
The Takeaway
A well-rounded large B-cell lymphoma care team consists of medical providers and other supporters who provide treatment and help you navigate emotional and financial challenges.
In addition to your oncologist, you’ll likely work with a nurse practitioner, radiologist, oncologist-hematologist, financial navigator, mental health provider, dietitian, and other specialists, depending on any preexisting conditions.
Every person’s needs are unique. Talk to your oncologist or nurse practitioner about additional resources you may need, such as access to a support group or a physical therapist.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
5 Ways Oncology Social Workers Can Help After a Cancer Diagnosis. Cancer Support Community. March 22, 2023.
Feridouni Z et al. The Impact of Cancer on Mental Health and the Importance of Supportive Services. Galen Medical Journal. February 26, 2024.
The Financial Burden of Blood Cancer Treatment for Working-Aged Adults Is Growing. Blood Cancer United. March 25, 2025.
Edward JS et al. Coverage and Cost-of-Care Links: Addressing Financial Toxicity Among Patients With Hematologic Cancer and Their Caregivers. JCO Oncology Practice. March 8, 2023.
Tawee Tanvetyanon, MD, MPH, is a professor of oncologic sciences and senior member at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He is a practicing medical oncologist specializing in lung cancer, thymic malignancy, and mesothelioma.
A physician manager of lung cancer screening program, he also serves as a faculty panelist for NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines in non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma, thymoma, and smoking cessation. To date, he has authored or coauthored over 100 biomedical publications indexed by Pubmed.
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).
