What’s an oncologist’s role?

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An oncology specialist is a doctor who deals primarily with cases and research involving cancer. Many years of training are required to become an oncology specialist; in addition to medical school, many oncologists spend years studying a specific branch of the field, such as gynecologic oncology or surgical oncology. There are many things an oncology specialist can do, depending on their training and skills.

Cancer research, diagnosis and treatment are three main areas that an oncology specialist can deal with. In research, an oncologist may be involved in creating and advancing treatment techniques for cancer. A researcher can also dedicate time to discovering the causes of cancer to increase medical knowledge about prevention. Many oncology specialists who are researchers by profession also study genetics in order to better understand the connection between DNA and hereditary cancer.

A patient may first consult an oncology specialist if routine tests show abnormal results that may suggest cancer. An oncologist is often called in to review the results, talk with the patient, and recommend further tests. If cancer is discovered and diagnosed, the patient may find themselves under the care of not just one, but several oncology specialists, depending on the type of treatment required.

If a tumor is operable, a surgical oncologist may be called in to remove it. These doctors are skilled surgeons who are able to view tumors and remove them completely or as much as possible to decrease the chance of recurrence. Although many different types of surgeons can remove tumors, a surgical oncologist most likely received this designation after graduating from a graduate program specializing in cancer-related surgery.

Clinical oncologists and radiation therapists often work with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments for their cancer. These physicians often work in conjunction with a primary physician to create a cohesive plan for fighting a patient’s cancer. In some cases, they may also work in a team with a surgical oncologist if some tumors can be removed or they can undergo surgery after a course of drug or radiation therapy.

Oncology specialists can be further divided into treating specific types of cancer. A gynecological oncologist works with cancers that occur in the female reproductive system, such as cervical cancer. A pediatric oncologist mainly deals with cases of cancer that occur in children. Regardless of specialty, oncologists are noble soldiers in the battle to understand, discover and destroy cancer. Thanks to the huge interest in this medical field, new treatments and improvements are becoming available on a regular basis, bringing more hope to cancer patients around the world.

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