Image of female cancer patient sitting in a chair while a female nurse administers IV medicine.

Ask an AMH Expert: What is Medical Oncology?

with Dr. Ayla Kessler, a board-certified oncologist at Ashe Oncology and Hematology

A diagnosis of cancer is life changing, not just for the patient but for that patient's loved ones. At Ashe Oncology and Hematology, we understand the uncertainty that comes with cancer, and we work quickly to deliver accurate diagnoses and world-class treatment so you and your loved ones can rest assured you are receiving the best care available.

What is Medical Oncology?

Medical Oncology is a branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosis, treatment of cancer, and management of treatment toxicities using non-surgical methods. It primarily involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy to treat different types of cancer.

What are the types of cancer that you treat?

I treat most types of cancer including lung and gastrointestinal cancers, gynecological cancer, with special interest in breast and genitourinary cancers. I also treat most lymphomas, some leukemias & bone marrow disorders, and a wide range of benign blood disorders.

My provider told me I have cancer. What should I do now?

Ask for a referral to see an oncologist who can develop a tailored plan of care for you. Keep a copy of your labs, scans and pathology whenever you can. You can help make your own care seamless by doing that and also voicing out your preferences and priorities.

What should someone expect during his or her first visit to an oncologist?

You will, and should, have many questions and that first visit will answer most of them. We will also come up with a plan of care, either to help nail down the diagnosis, stage of your cancer, or devise a personalized treatment plan utilizing the gold standard of care with your unique situation in mind. I work closely with your primary care physician as well as other specialists who are involved, such as surgical and radiation oncologists, to make sure that happens. I manage symptoms, monitor disease progression, and provide supportive care to improve patients’ quality of life.

What is the most important thing that you tell your patients when you initially meet with them?

It's important to understand that early-stage cancer is managed differently from late-stage cancer (metastatic or stage 4). How aggressively we get in managing them depends on the ultimate goal we're trying to achieve. Early-stage cancers can be treated postoperatively even after removing all visible signs of cancer with the aim of killing microscopic non-visible tumor cells. This strategy is proven to lower the odds of this cancer coming back in the future in the same place, but more importantly elsewhere in the body. On the other hand, stage 4 cancers in many cases are incurable but become more of a chronic condition that we aim to keep under control in order to improve the quality and quantity of life.

It's also important for patients to understand that how they look and feel will have a great impact on how well they tolerate treatment and how well this treatment works for them.

What can patients expect when they come to Ashe Oncology and Hematology?

Patients can expect a caring, compassionate, and supportive oncology team, who strive to meet the patients’ physical and emotional challenges throughout their cancer journey. We will try our best to make you feel at home and confident in your care delivery close to home.

How does a cancer diagnosis impact one’s mental and physical health?

Cancer affects every aspect of life, but with medical care, mental health support, and a strong support system, patients can find ways to cope and improve their well-being. Our goal is to provide supportive care that allows patients to continue with their regular routines and lifestyle as much as possible.

Dr. Ayla Kessler



Dr. Ayla Kessler is a board-certified oncologist. A native of Egypt, Dr. Kessler earned her medical degree from the University of Mansoura Faculty of Medicine in Mansoura City, Egypt, in 2005. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Indiana University Health at Ball Memorial Hospital, in Muncie, Ind., in 2010. Dr. Kessler then went on to complete a Medical Oncology Fellowship at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2012.