Medical oncologists are medical specialists who diagnose, assess, treat, and manage patients with malignant tumors and conduct translational research. They treat cancer using chemotherapy and other medications including hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. A medical oncologist is the primary health care provider for a cancer patient who leads the development process of the cancer treatment. They work along with other medical departments for attaining better results. Generally, your oncologist will oversee patient general care and coordinate treatments with other specialists. They are also responsible who continues with the pre-treatment, checkups of the patient, follow-ups, and post-treatment. They also help you manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.
Medical oncologists are medical specialists who diagnose, assess, treat, and manage patients with malignant tumors and conduct translational research. They treat cancer using chemotherapy and other medications including hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. A medical oncologist is the primary health care provider for a cancer patient who leads the development process of the cancer treatment. They work along with other medical departments for attaining better results. Generally, your oncologist will oversee patient general care and coordinate treatments with other specialists. They are also responsible who continues with the pre-treatment, checkups of the patient, follow-ups, and post-treatment. They also help you manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.
When Will You See A Medical Oncologist?
You need to pay a visit to a medical oncologist immediately right after you have been diagnosed with cancer. This is the first step of your cancer journey and helps you understand your treatment and cancer diagnosis. You may need to see other oncologists such as radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, Hematologist oncologists, and pediatric oncologist based on the type of cancer you have and what type of treatment plan you want.
Types Of Medical Conditions Oncologists Treat
Medical oncologists treat cancer of all types that occur in different parts and respond differently to a treatment. Their main goal is to offer the best possible outcome for cancer patients, whether that is cure and prolongation of good quality of life.
Their main role includes:
Diagnosing different types of cancer
Discussing various treatments with patients
Supervising drug treatment and therapies
Supporting Patients
Medical oncologists treat medical disorders including breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, and melanoma.
Common Procedures Used By Medical oncologists are endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapies including small molecules, immunotherapy, and more. Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer and the main goal of chemotherapy is to kill the cancer cells but to leave the affected patient's cells unharmed. The side effects of chemotherapy are nausea, feeling weak, loss of hair, being prone to infections, and more. Other tests used by medical oncologists include X-rays, CT scans, imaging tests, MRI, blood tests, bone scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.
What To Expect From A Medical Oncologist
Diagnosis: Cancers are present in individuals in many different ways and easily diagnosed by medical experts from many different areas of specialty. Patients may have weight loss, pain, or a new bump or lump. Medical experts will orders tests such as X-rays, blood tests, and CT scan to investigate these signs and symptoms.
Treatment: Treatment of cancer will be based on its size and location of the cancer cell. It normally involves a multidisciplinary team of experts of various specialties, as well as social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, and others. If the tumor is severe, then it can be removed by minimally invasive surgery. Other treatment options involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and more.
Conclusion
You can find the right medical oncologist for you by asking your doctor for a suggestion, or take an appointment in a top hospital, or start discussing with your family and friends.
