Cancer Symptom Management
The UCSF Symptom Management Service (SMS) provides interdisciplinary treatment and counseling to improve the quality of life and care of patients at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and service coordinators.
We use medical, psychological, social work, and spiritual approaches to address the physical and emotional symptoms that can occur due to cancer and cancer treatment. Our services include treatments for pain, digestive symptoms, fatigue, sleep problems, changes in mood health, and spiritual distress, among others. We also work with patients and their loved ones on advance care planning.
The SMS team collaborates closely with your cancer treatment team to ensure the treatments offered are safe and appropriate. We will keep your cancer doctor(s) informed of your symptom management needs and the treatments we are offering. If you have acute symptom management needs or are hospitalized, please reach out to us so we can help take care of you. For after-hours concerns (overnight and on the weekend), please call the 24-hour line provided by your cancer doctor.
A referral from your cancer doctor is required to see the SMS team. We look forward to supporting you and your loved ones.
Doctor referral required
Our locations
Our team
Clinical trials
Integrative Palliative Care/Psycho-Oncology Telehealth Intervention in Patients With Advanced C...
Qualitative methods to analyze participant feedback obtained during exit interviews and code notes from by the existing domains: session relevance, delivery mode, ease of participation, suggested changes. A thematic content analys...
Recruiting
U.S. News rankings
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Among the top hospitals in the nation
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Best in Northern California for cancer care (tie)
Accreditations & memberships
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National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute has designated UCSF a comprehensive cancer center, its highest ranking. This designation is awarded to centers that demonstrate scientific excellence and the ability to conduct cancer research across many disciplines.
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Commission on Cancer
UCSF's cancer programs have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 1933. The CoC is a consortium of groups dedicated to improving cancer patients' survival and quality of life via research, education and better medical care.
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National Comprehensive Cancer Network
UCSF is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s top cancer centers. The network brings together leaders in treatment and research to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.
Support services
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your condition
- List of your medications, including dosages, plus any you're allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes