What does an oncologist do?

An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer. An oncologist may also be called a cancer specialist. The field of oncology has 3 major areas based on treatments: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.

An oncologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in Diagnosing and treating cancer. They’ll diagnose your cancer and identify treatment options. They’ll discuss each option’s benefits and side effects. They also oversee your treatment and manage your post-treatment care.

The most common procedures performed by surgical oncologists are Biopsies and surgery for cancerous growth removal. They can also perform surgery to stage cancer and determine how far cancer has spread. In certain circumstances, surgical oncologists may also perform preventive surgeries.

During your first appointment, an oncologist will Focus on your type of cancer and share which treatment options fit your diagnosis. Knowing what to expect can make cancer treatment less stressful. Register and fill out paperwork. Review current medications and your medical, surgical and family history.

What kinds of tests do oncologists do? Your oncologist might do a physical examination to find abnormalities that could indicate cancer. They might also do blood and urine tests or imaging scans like MRIs, ultrasounds, and CT scans. They might do one or more biopsies to check for cancer cells in tissues.

Samples taken for cancer blood tests are tested in a lab for signs of cancer. When viewed under a microscope, The samples may show the actual cancer cells. Other blood tests might find proteins or other substances made by the cancer. Blood tests can also tell your provider how well your organs are working.

You’ll probably see a medical oncologist Right after you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. This is usually one of the first steps of your cancer journey. They can help you understand your diagnosis as well as the timeline of your cancer treatment.

The field of oncology has 3 major areas based on treatments: Medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.

Among oncologists/hematologists, 64.5% said that they would take chemotherapy, as did 67% of nurses. The two nonmedical administrators both voted no. In the “other” category, which included a mix of radiation oncologists and other types of physicians, 33% said that they would take chemotherapy.

A diagnosis of cancer can seem overwhelming. However, by preparing for your visit to your oncologist, you can make the process easier. You can expect to have a consultation which will include a physical exam. Keep reading to learn more about the process.

At the appointment, ask this:

1. What kind of cancer do I have? …
2. What stage is it? …
3. Do I have to undergo any further diagnostic tests before we can begin treatment?
4. Should I see a specialist? …
5. What are my treatment options?
6. Which treatment or combination of treatments would you recommend and why?

In some situations, your doctor may diagnose a new primary cancer instead of a recurrence. If so, you should wait No more than 2 months (62 days) To start treatment.

The biopsy results help your health care provider determine whether the cells are cancerous. If the cells are cancerous, the results can tell your care provider where the cancer originated — the type of cancer. A biopsy also helps your care provider determine how aggressive your cancer is — the cancer’s grade.

Aside from leukemia, Most cancers cannot be detected in routine blood work, such as a CBC test. However, specific blood tests are designed to identify tumor markers, which are chemicals and proteins that may be found in the blood in higher quantities than normal when cancer is present.

Complete response – all of the cancer or tumor disappears; there is no evidence of disease. A tumor marker (if applicable) may fall within the normal range. Partial response – the cancer has shrunk by a percentage but disease remains. A tumor marker (if applicable) may have fallen but evidence of disease remains.

Guide to Tumor Markers Used in Cancer

Having said that, here are some things that are helpful to discuss during your first appointment: What is my diagnosis and how soon do I need to start therapy? What are my treatment options, what’s involved, and how long will each treatment take? What are the benefits of the recommended treatment?

Oncologists must first diagnose a cancer, which is usually carried out via Biopsy, endoscopy, X-ray, CT scanning, MRI, PET scanning, ultrasound or other radiological methods. Nuclear medicine can also be used to diagnose cancer, as can blood tests or tumor markers.

Helpful questions to ask your oncologist

• How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
• Should I get a second opinion?
• What are the risks and benefits of my treatment options?
• What can I do to manage the potential side effects of treatment?

The cancers with the lowest five-year survival estimates are Mesothelioma (7.2%), pancreatic cancer (7.3%) and brain cancer (12.8%). The highest five-year survival estimates are seen in patients with testicular cancer (97%), melanoma of skin (92.3%) and prostate cancer (88%).

Q: How does a doctor determine a patient’s prognosis? Dr. Byock: Doctors typically estimate a patient’s likelihood of being cured, their extent of functional recovery, and their life expectancy by Looking at studies of groups of people with the same or similar diagnosis.

Among those with documented final decisions, the median time from the decision to the patient’s death was only 20 days (range, 1 to 140 days). Oncologists documented offering the option of stopping IV chemotherapy altogether in 75.6% patients (n = 62 of 81) before their death.

Physicians and dentists generally send those patients with suspected or confirmed cancer To oncologists*. These referrers can be primary care doctors, gynecologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists, dermatologists and others.

Hematologists specialize in diagnosing and treating blood diseases. Oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancers. A hematologist oncologist specializes in both. You might see a hematologist oncologist If you have blood cancer or suspected blood cancer.