Medical Oncology Definition

Oncology is the branch of medicine that treats cancer. Doctors who treat cancer patients are called oncologists. There are four main areas of oncology: surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pediatric oncology and medical oncology. Surgical oncology manages surgeries, including removing tumors as well as biopsies. Radiation oncology supervises radiation therapy treatments. Pediatric oncology specializes in treating children with cancer. Medical oncology treats cancer with drugs, usually chemotherapy, and also manages pain and discomfort. Medical oncologists also often oversee the care of a cancer patient.

Responsibilities

• Medical oncologists help cancer patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options. They also recommend specific treatments, often chemotherapy. Medical oncologists also help manage pain and other symptoms, like nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and address other quality of life issues.

Considerations

• Cancer patients are often treated by a team of oncologists. For example, a medical oncologist often works with a pathologist, who helps interpret test results, a diagnostic radiologist, who diagnoses diseases with X-rays and ultrasounds, and an oncology nurse, who helps manage the patient's medications and comfort.

Chemotherapy

• Medical oncologists often treat cancer patients with chemotherapy, also called chemo. Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that employs drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Since chemotherapy also destroys other fast-growing cells in the body, it usually causes side effects such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting and sore mouth.

Other Treatments

• Radiation therapy, another very common cancer treatment, is generally managed by radiation oncologists. Medical oncologists may also use other cancer treatments; however, like angiogenesis inhibitors, which cut off the tumor from its blood supply, or hyperthermia, which is a treatment that uses heat to treat tumors. Medical oncologists may also use laser therapy or photodynamic therapy.

Managing Pain and Other Symptoms

• Medical oncologists also work with cancer patients to help manage their pain and other side effects caused by cancer or chemotherapy treatments. These strategies may involve drugs such as painkillers or anti-emetics, or lifestyle changes.