Medical & Radiation Oncology

Oncology is the study of cancer. Doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are oncologists. Sub-specialties of oncology exist and may be classified by the age of the patient, area of the body affected or treatment method. For example, pediatric oncologists treat cancer in children, gynecologic oncologists treat female reproductive system cancers and surgical oncologists treat cancer surgically.

Methods

• The fields of medical and radiation oncology treat cancer. Medical oncologists use drugs, such as chemotherapy, hormones and pain medications in an attempt to kill or control cancer and relieve patient discomfort. Radiation oncologists use high-energy rays or particles to manage the disease.

Administration

• Medical oncology most often uses chemotherapy injected into the bloodstream through an intravenous catheter. Called a systemic therapy, the treatment travels throughout the entire body. Radiation therapy is a local treatment because only the area of the body containing the cancer receives treatment. Radiation therapy is either delivered externally using a machine called a linear accelerator, or internally through radioactive wires, seeds or pellets placed within or near the tumor to kill the malignant cells.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Since medical oncology treats cancer systemically, it is more likely to destroy cancer cells that have spread from the primary tumor to other areas of the body. It also damages healthy cells throughout the entire body, so side effects are likely. Since radiation therapy focuses on the tumor rather than the entire body, it minimizes damage to normal tissues and localizes side effects. Unfortunately, radiation received in one area will have no effect on cancer cells that may have spread to other areas of the body.