Cancer is a serious and life-threatening illness that affects millions of people around the world. Oncologists are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, different types of oncologists may be needed to provide the best care. Hematologists-oncologists treat cancers of the blood, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Neuro-Oncologists specialize in treating cancers of the brain, spine, and nervous system. Pediatric Oncologists are trained to treat cancer in children and teens. Depending on your case, you may also need to see other types of doctors to get special cancer care. For example, you may need to see a hematologist, who specializes in treating disorders of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
Sometimes surgery may be performed by a general surgeon rather than a surgical oncologist. Or you may need to see a plastic surgeon if you need reconstructive surgery after treatment. You may also want to see a psychiatrist or psycho-oncologist, a psychiatrist who specializes in the psychological challenges of coping with cancer. Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who treat cancers related to the female reproductive system. This includes ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer and more.
They are trained obstetrician-gynecologists who receive additional fellowship training to subspecialize in oncology. Terando adds that oncologists from different specialties will meet regularly to discuss and decide on a treatment plan for each of their patients. Some doctors at large cancer centers limit their services to people with specific types of cancer. For example, you may be able to locate an Oncologist who specializes in treating breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, or other types of cancer. This can be very useful if you have a rare type of cancer or one that is difficult to treat.
Medical Oncologists
specialize in the treatment and management of cancer using non-surgical methods.These include chemotherapy, biological therapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy. Medical oncologists coordinate cancer treatment plans and closely monitor their patients. They also provide follow-up care to patients after they complete their treatment. You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices, such as eating well, staying active, and not smoking. Most of us will have had the experience of a close friend or family member who has been diagnosed with cancer. This specialist also leads the development of the cancer patient's treatment plan, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormonal therapy, and also coordinates with other Oncology specialists and physicians who may play a role in patient care.
There are also national online directories of doctors, including those who specialize in cancer. Oncologists accurately monitor and record various data related to patient care and often work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools; errors can have serious consequences. Radiation oncologists specialize in giving external and internal radiation therapy to cancer patients. The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. Terando, MD, surgical oncologist at Keck Medicine of USC and associate professor of clinical surgery at the Keck School of Medicine at USC.
Onco-Life Cancer Center is a one-stop destination for those seeking the best cancer treatment. Depending on the nature, stage, and location of the cancer, there are different oncologists who offer their specialized services for cancer treatment. Gynecological oncologists are trained to treat cancers of the female reproductive system such as those affecting the uterus, cervix or ovaries while hematology oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the blood (leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma). Board-certified physicians have received additional training in special areas such as medical oncology (cancer care), hematology (blood diseases) or gynecological surgery (female reproductive system). A Medical Oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer using chemotherapy and other medications such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy. It can be difficult to figure out who is who at first so let's look at some types of doctors you might be working with.
Board certification means that in addition to having completed a residency program; the physician has also completed an oncology fellowship which provides training in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and has successfully passed a rigorous peer testing and evaluation process in an area of expertise.
