Types of Oncologists
Types of Oncologists
Types of Oncologists
Oncology is the study of cancer. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and
provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer.
The field of oncology has three major areas: medical, surgical, and radiation.
A surgical oncologist removes the tumor and nearby tissue during surgery. He or she
also performs certain types of biopsies to help diagnose cancer.
A pediatric oncologist treats cancer in children. Some types of cancer occur most often
in children and teenagers. This includes certain brain tumors, leukemia, osteosarcoma,
and Ewing’s sarcoma. Types of cancer more common in children sometimes also occur
in adults. In these situations, an adult may decide to work with a pediatric oncologist.
An oncologist manages a patient’s care throughout the course of the disease. This starts
with the diagnosis. His or her role includes:
Talking about all treatment options and his or her preferred choice
Helping a patient manage the symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
Different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan
that combines different types of treatments. For instance, a patient may need treatment
with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This is called a
multidisciplinary team.
Cancer care teams also include a variety of other health care professionals:
A pathologist reads laboratory tests. This includes checking cells, tissues, and organs to
diagnose disease
A diagnostic radiologist conducts imaging tests to diagnose disease. This includes x-rays
or ultrasound tests.
An oncology nurse
The team may also involve doctors from other areas of medicine. For instance, a
dermatologist who specializes in skin problems may also help treat skin cancer.
Sometimes a person’s cancer diagnosis is complex. In this case, the patient’s oncologist
may ask a tumor board to review the case. This involves medical experts from all areas
of cancer care who come together to decide on the best treatment plan.
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