
Cancer Symptom Management
The UCSF Symptom Management Service (SMS) provides treatments 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, nurses, dietitians, social workers and a service coordinator.
We use medical, psychological, social work and spiritual approaches to address the physical and emotional symptoms of cancer. Our services include treatments for pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety and spiritual distress, as well as advance care planning.
SMS treatments are coordinated with your cancer treatments and with the support of your cancer doctor. Our team works directly with your cancer doctor, keeping him or her informed of your medication and symptom management needs. If you go to the emergency department or are hospitalized, please let us know so we can help. We do not, however, have after-hours or emergency on-call service.
Patients, after referral to SMS by their cancer doctors, will be seen by one or more members of the team.
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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Best hospital in Northern California
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Best in Northern California in cancer care
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

International Services
If you live in another country and are coming to UCSF for medical
treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

Interpreters
UCSF offers language services at no charge for patients with limited
English, as well as for patients who are deaf or have trouble hearing.

Hospital Stays
Checking into the hospital? Find helpful information by clicking on the relevant “Your Hospital Stay” booklet: Mission Bay, Parnassus or Mount
Zion.

Your Doctor Visit
See our top 10 tips for making your UCSF doctor’s appointment as stress-free and productive as possible.
Learn more