An oncologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. They are often the main healthcare provider for someone with cancer, designing treatment plans, offering supportive care, and sometimes coordinating treatment with other specialists. Oncology is the study of cancer, and oncologists specialize in managing and treating patients throughout the course of the disease. There are three major areas of oncology based on treatments: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology. Medical oncologists treat cancer using medication, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy, which is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. Surgical oncologists treat cancer using surgery, including removing the tumor and nearby tissue during an operation. This type of surgeon can also perform certain types of biopsies to help diagnose cancer.

There are also medical terms for oncologists who specialize in caring for specific groups of patients or groups of cancers. For example, geriatric oncologists work with people with cancer who are age 65 and older. Gynecologic oncologists treat cancers in reproductive organs such as the cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Hematologist-oncologists treat blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Neuro-oncologists treat cancers of the brain, spine, and nervous system.

An oncologists role includes confirming a patients initial diagnosis, explaining the cancer diagnosis and stage, providing all possible treatment plans and offering recommendations, overseeing the course of treatment, and managing post-treatment care. Oncologists may also engage in clinical research or teach medical students as ways to contribute to cancer care beyond seeing patients.

Patients are referred to an oncologist when they have symptoms that might be cancer, and the doctor wants the opinion of an expert in a specific field or cant determine a cancer diagnosis. A visit to an oncologist is an opportunity for patients to talk to a specialist about their symptoms, and the oncologist might order tests to learn more about the symptoms.

In summary, an oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. They manage and treat patients throughout the course of the disease, and there are different types of oncologists who specialize in specific groups of patients or groups of cancers. An oncologists role includes confirming a patients diagnosis, providing treatment plans, overseeing the course of treatment, and managing post-treatment care. Patients are referred to an oncologist when they have symptoms that might be cancer, and the doctor wants the opinion of an expert in a specific field or cant determine a cancer diagnosis.