Respiratory Oncology

Respiratory oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating lung cancer. Since lung cancer has a poor prognosis, there is a great need for research in the field of respiratory oncology to develop effective treatments.

Function

• Respiratory oncologists work with patients who have lung cancer and also do research on the disease.

Significance

• According to Tohoku University in Japan, its department of respiratory oncology does gene therapy work for people with lung cancer and determines new strategies for treatment of the disease. However, the survival rate of lung cancer patients had not increased in 20 years, as of 2010.

Potential

• According to Tohoku University, respiratory oncologists are also working on a treatment called tumor angiogenesis. This treatment uses blood vessels to penetrate cancerous cells to form new, healthy vessels in cancerous tissue and promote the growth of noncancerous cells, according to the National Cancer Institute.