Types of Oncologists
When you have cancer, there are certain things you can do to improve the odds of successful treatment. One of these is finding the right oncologist for your diagnosis.
The term oncologist refers to a medical doctor who specializes in providing care to people who have been diagnosed with cancer and treating the disease. There are three major areas when it comes to oncology: radiation, surgical and medical;
Radiation oncologists
Radiation oncologists are medical professionals who specialize in using radiation to treat cancer.
Surgical oncologists
Who use surgical procedures to remove tumors and the damaged tissues surrounding them. These are typically the professionals who perform biopsies to detect cancer cells. Last but not least, a medical oncologist deals with cancer using medications like immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
Gynecologic oncologists
Who deals with cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers.
Pediatric oncologists
Who specializes in treating children with cancer; certain types of cancers are more likely to occur in children like osteosarcoma, leukemia, and brain tumors, and pediatric oncologists also work with adults who have one of these diseases.
Hematologists oncologists
Who treat and diagnose cancers in the bloodstream, like myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia.
How oncologists help cancer patients
Oncologists work with patients throughout the course of cancer treatment. The first meeting between an oncologist and a new patient is normally the diagnosis. The role of an oncologist includes:
Discussing the severity of the cancer diagnosis with the patients
Going over the possible treatment options and their pros and cons
Carrying out the treatment, the patient decides to go with
Discussing how to manage the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment
When a patient is dealing with cancer, multiple medical doctors work as a team to determine the best course of treatment. In some cases, the patient might need a combination of treatments, like radiation combined with surgery. When this is the case, a multidisciplinary team of doctors is essential.
Other medical professionals who work with cancer patients include:
Pathologist: This is a health professional who translates the results of lab tests. A pathologist helps diagnose diseases and checks tissues and cells.
Diagnostic radiologist: This is a health professional who diagnoses diseases by performing imaging tests. This includes popular procedures like x-rays and ultrasound scans.
Oncology nurse: This person takes care of recovering cancer patients and ensures they are taking their prescribed medication.
Oncology social worker: This is a professional who takes care of the mental well-being of the recovering patient.
A cancer team can also require the services of doctors from other fields of medicine. For example, a dermatologist can be helpful when it comes to treating skin cancer.
When a patient is dealing with a complex diagnosis, a tumor review board may be asked to take a close look at the person's condition. These teams are often comprised of medical professionals from all areas working together to provide the best solution for the patient.
Commonly Curable Types of Cancer
This disease occurs when there is an abnormal development of cells. These cells will begin to divide out of control and invade tissues of the body. Sometimes, cancer will localize to one place in the body. In other cases, it will spread to other parts, destroying tissue and organs.
The disease will develop due to mutations in the DNA of cells. Certain factors can raise a person’s risk of developing the condition in the body. Older people have a higher chance of getting it. Also, habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol can increase a person’s likelihood of getting the disease.
Thyroid
More common in women than men, thyroid cancer has a more than 98% survivability rate. As with other forms of the disease, early detection and treatment are critical. It can spread into other parts of the neck and into the head if not treated. Common treatments include the removal of the thyroid and radioactive iodine. A person who has their thyroid removed will need to take a thyroid-replacement hormone throughout life.
Breast
In stage 1, breast cancer is a disease that most people will beat. Identification often comes through a mammogram or examination from the doctor. If medical professionals can catch this disease before it spreads, the patient can be free of the condition. Removal of the breast tissue is often part of the treatment process. The medical team may also use radiation therapy.
Prostate
No cancer diagnosis is welcome news, but with this type, patients can take comfort to know that the tumor grows slowly. In many cases, it will not grow at all. Because of this, around 99% of all prostate cancer patients will overcome it if they have had it for at least five years. Rectal exams and blood tests are the most common methods of detecting the disease. Men who see blood in their urine should visit a doctor, as this is a main sign of the disease.
Testicular
If a man lives for more than five years with testicular cancer, chances are close to 100% that the patient will survive. Removal of one or both testicles may be required. Chemotherapy and radiation may also help. Men should routinely exam themselves and look for lumps or abnormally large testicles.
Making the Most of Your First Oncology Appointment
If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, you might find yourself wondering what to expect during your first oncology appointment. You probably have many questions about your condition, what your treatment options are and what the future looks likes.
Depending on the type of cancer you are dealing with, your first oncology appointment might be with a doctor who specializes in radiation, medical or surgical treatments for cancer. The oncologist's role is to help you to understand your diagnosis and your treatment options so that you can make an educated decision about your treatment.
What to expect during your first oncology appointment
During a patient's first visit with an oncologist, the doctor will ask questions about their medical history and any symptoms they are currently experiencing. The oncologist might also order up additional tests or refer the patient to a specialist.
Patients should take all medical reports related to their condition to their appointment. This includes pathology slides, MRIs, x-rays, or CT scans. Patients should also bring any medications they are currently taking, including dietary supplements. Even essential nutrients like vitamin D or calcium can have negative interactions with some cancer treatments.
Patients should be prepared to take notes during their appointment and they can bring someone along for moral support as well as to have another set of ears listening and asking questions. The most important thing patients can do during their first oncology appointment is to listen closely to what is being said. Many of the questions they have will be answered as the oncologist educates the patient and that leads to other questions.
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