Questions, answered.

Elaine Siu is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with 17+ years of clinical experience, including 13+ years at City of Hope National Medical Center. She is a Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) and a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC). Her work has been featured in The New York Times, People, Healio, City of Hope, and Cancer Fighters. She sees patients in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

CSO (Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition) is awarded by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and requires documented experience in oncology and a specialty exam.

CNSC (Certified Nutrition Support Clinician) is awarded by the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification for clinicians who manage enteral (tube) and parenteral (IV) nutrition.

The CSO + CNSC combination is uncommon and is directly relevant if cancer treatment may require tube feeding or TPN — for example, head and neck, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, or short-bowel situations.

All Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN/RD) complete an accredited degree, supervised practice, and a national exam, and they hold state licensure where required. An oncology dietitian with the CSO credential has additional documented experience and testing in cancer nutrition — including chemotherapy, radiation, surgical, and immunotherapy side-effect management; weight and muscle preservation; and survivorship eating.

The title nutritionist is unregulated in many states and does not require the same training; it is not interchangeable with RDN.

Adults with any cancer diagnosis at any phase — newly diagnosed, in active treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant), and survivorship. Particular depth in GI cancers (esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal), head and neck cancers, and any cancer requiring nutrition support.

Yes — as a CNSC, this is a core part of the practice. Support includes:

• Enteral formula selection and adjustment
• Feeding schedule and rate management
• Troubleshooting residuals, intolerance, diarrhea, constipation, weight change
• Transitioning between enteral feeding and oral intake
• Home parenteral nutrition (HPN/TPN) education and monitoring coordination
• Care for ostomies and short-bowel anatomy

Yes — Aetna and United Healthcare are accepted as in-network for medical nutrition therapy in CA, AZ, VA, CO, NJ, and IA. Many plans cover oncology MNT at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. Benefits are verified before your first appointment.

Sessions are cash pay, and a detailed superbill is provided after each appointment so you can submit it to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan. The most reliable way to estimate reimbursement is to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask specifically about CPT codes 97802 (initial MNT) and 97803 (follow-up MNT).

Yes. Nutrition counseling with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for a medical diagnosis (including cancer) is typically eligible for HSA and FSA reimbursement. Keep the receipt or superbill for your records.

Yes — digital educational guides are available worldwide through the resources page with no state or country restriction. These are educational resources and do not establish a counseling relationship.

Use the booking button below to select the 15-minute consult on the Practice Better scheduler. The consult is used to confirm fit, discuss your situation, and recommend the most appropriate package or session type. There is no obligation to book a paid session afterward.