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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an Oncologist?
Oncologists are specialists who are trained to diagnose and treat cancers and tumors. They often have a key role in preparing a treatment plan, diagnosis, and supportive care for the patients who are suffering from cancer. They are the main healthcare providers to coordinate with cancer suffering patients.
What conditions do Oncologists treat?
An oncologist can treat all types of cancers and tumors. They specialize in chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Some other organ-specific surgeries that an oncologist can treat are:
- bone cancers
- prostate cancer
- skin cancer
- blood cancers
- head and neck cancer
- liver cancer
- brain cancer
- breast cancer
- cervical cancer
- lung cancer
- testicular cancer
What are the qualifications of an Oncologist?
- To pursue oncology, a subspecialty of internal medicine doctors must undergo a three-year residency after graduating from medical school in internal medicine.
- Medical oncologists must pursue a two- to three-year medical oncology fellowship after completing their residency.
- A general surgical residency has to be completed first, followed by a two-year surgical oncology fellowship.
- Radiation oncology is a five-year process that begins with an internship in internal medicine and ends with a residency in radiation oncology.
What are the subspecialties of an Oncologist?
Oncologists may have various specialties to manage cancer of a particular area in the best possible method and provide the right care.
Some of the areas of specialization are:
- Medical oncology: These specialists help in monitoring people for cancer treatment side effects and help in administering their dosage in the right manner.
- chemotherapy
- biologic therapy
- hormone therapy
- targeted therapy
- Surgical Oncology: These surgeons are specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer by extensively studying the stage of cancer. They can also take biopsies and other samples and study them to determine the best course of treatment.
- Radiation oncology: A radiation oncologist is specially trained to provide treatment of external and internal radiation therapy.
Oncologists can decide to specialize in other types of cancers and their education such as:
- gynecologic oncology
- gastrointestinal oncology
- geriatric oncology
- neuro-oncology
- pediatric oncology
- hematology-oncology
- musculoskeletal oncology
What diagnostic tests are required by an Oncologist?
Some of the commonly ordered diagnostic tests in oncology are as follows:
- Barium Enema.
- Bone Scan.
- Breast MRI.
- Biopsy.
- Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) and Echocardiogram
- Types of Endoscopy
- Mammography
- MUGA Scan
- Pap Test
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) Scans
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan.
- Fecal Occult Blood Tests
- Tumor Marker Tests
- Ultrasound
- Upper Endoscopy
When should you visit an Oncologist?
If your general practitioner or family doctor wants the opinion of an expert in a specialized field or needs help in making a cancer diagnosis, they may refer you to an oncologist. The goal is to narrow down and rule out all the potential causes of an issue so that you can receive the best possible treatment.
Your general physician may refer you to an oncologist in order to:
- Examine a New Growth or Lump
- In case cancer is already detected then make cancer treatment available. An oncologist will go over your case, explain all of your treatment choices, and make a recommendation.
- Help you get a Second Opinion
- For Blood Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment
What can you expect from your first visit with an Oncologist?
There’s a high possibility that your initial oncology appointment will take up to two to three hours. An oncologist will need to gather all the information associated with your health that will take time.
A patient can also expect the following while visiting an oncologist:
- Your physician might ask about emotions, anxiety, rage, or despair. It is common for a cancer patient to have these emotions in the initial stage. there might also be chances of feeling numb or a sense of shock.
- A thorough physical examination will be conducted by your primary care physician as well as an oncologist before proceeding further with the visit.
- There are some additional blood test or imaging studies requirements at times to land with the right diagnosis.
- In the case of a positive cancer case, there might be a requirement of meeting with the whole cancer care team.