Dr. V. Upender Rao, MD, FACP

Media Releases

Get to know Oncologist Dr. V. Upender Rao, who serves patients in Lecanto, Florida.

A trusted oncologist, Dr. Rao is in practice at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute – Lecanto.

Founded in 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment and immunotherapy. With over 250 physicians, 220 nurse practitioners and physician assistants and nearly 100 locations in their network, they are committed to providing world-class cancer care in community-based settings close to home.

A native of India, Dr. Rao received his medical degree from the Gulbarga University M. Rampure Medical College in 1973. Upon relocating to the United States, he completed his residency in internal medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1979, and his fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Connecticut in 1981.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the doctor is board-certified in medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer. They lead a cancer treatment team of various healthcare professionals, treat patients with radiation therapy, coordinate treatment plans and prescribe various types of treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as assist patients with pain management.

Recommended Articles

• Is Ovarian Cancer Hereditary?

  All women in the world are at some risk of getting ovarian cancer. Some of them are at greater risk because there are many risk factors, including the family history factor, which can cause the disease to be passed from one female family member to another. If a mother is diagnosed with ovarian...

• New Cancer Drug in the UK Has Begun Clinical Trials for Advanced Cancer Patients

  People with advanced tumors are often at the very end of a line of treatment options. Despite the many advances we have today in technology and modern medicine, cancer’s puzzle has not yet been solved. Many of these patients’ last days are filled with pain as they spend their last moments...

• Tips on Living with Leukemia

  Leukemia is defined as the cancer of blood or bone marrow which is responsible for the production of blood cells. A person who has leukemia generally suffers from an abnormal production of blood cells specially leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, that are responsible to protect the body...

• Rate of Mastectomies Rose After Angelina Jolie Publicized Her Decision

  In 2013, Angelina Jolie announced her decision to have preventative double mastectomies. At that time, she had discovered that she was a carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation, which increased her risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.In just 2 short years following her mastectomies, she also had her...

• What Specialist Treats Ovarian Cancer?

  Ovarian cancer is very difficult to diagnose, and many women feel mild symptoms or no symptoms at all in the early stages of the disease. A whole team of doctors can help with diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer, including the family doctor, gynecologist, and oncologist. Some women have that luck...

• Is Prostate Cancer Asymptomatic?

  What is prostate cancer?The prostate is a small gland located close to the bladder that produces prostatic fluid in men. This gland is responsible in the working of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is therefore a cancer that affects the prostate gland, causing growth of malignant cells...