Role of Oncologists

The role of an oncologist is to diagnose and treat cancer. Oncologists can specialize in different types of cancer and the corresponding treatments for each form of the disease. Oncologists work closely with their patients to determine the best course of treatment for each one. They also play a major role in advancing the cause to improve cancer treatments and find a cure for this deadly disease.

Oncologists

• Most oncologists have a specialization in an area such as medical therapy, radiation therapy or surgery. Oncologists work mainly in public and private hospitals, medical centers and research centers. The specifics roles of the oncologist may vary slightly depending on the specialty and the institution that employs them.

Identification of cancer

• An oncologist is brought in to diagnose cancer if certain symptoms, or a patient's medical history, warrant concern. The oncologist uses methods such as biopsy and endoscopy to determine if cancer is present. During a biopsy, a piece of tissue is removed from the patient's body to be studied. Endoscopy involves the use of small cameras to detect the presence of cancer. Other techniques for identification include computed tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and blood tests.

Treating cancer

• Once the presence of cancer is verified and located, the oncologist employs various treatments to remove the cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are the three most common methods. During surgery, the cancerous tissue is removed from the body. Chemotherapy uses drugs to combat cancerous cells within the body and radiation therapy uses targeted radiation to kill the cancer cells. The oncologist must determine which method, or combination of methods, will work best for each situation.

Roles within oncology specialties

• Often, oncologists will specialize in one of the three major areas of treatment. The oncologist undertakes special training in the skills needed to perform surgery, administer chemotherapy or give radiation treatments. There are two major sub-specialties as well. Gynecological oncologists specialize in the treatment of cancers that affect a woman's reproductive organs. Pediatric oncologists are trained to work with children with cancer.

Oncology research

• Since new information regarding the causes and treatment of cancer is constantly being discovered, oncologists spend a great deal of time keeping with the latest research and methods of treatment. In fact, some oncologists specialize in research, working in research or academic institutions to discover better ways of treating and, hopefully, curing cancer.