Oncology is, simple put, the study of cancer. In this field, the causes, make-up, and possible cures for cancer are studied vigorously. Cancer itself is not just one disease. To date, there are more than 100 known kinds of cancer in existence. Cancer begins as a benign tumor in the body. If it does not spread, it can be removed without worries. However, if the tumor begins to spread to other parts of the body, you will be diagnosed with malignant cancer. From this point, many approaches can be made in order to stop the cancer from spreading even further and killing the person. A good physician or surgeon of oncology will know how to treat your cancer so that there is minimum risk to you.
A physician or surgeon of oncology will specialize only in the field of oncology. Like other specialized doctors, they must stay informed on all of the latest techniques and treatments of cancer each day. Though they both practice the same field of study, they do not perform the same job. The physician or medical oncologist will work more with the treatment of the cancer. He or she will use chemotherapy or medicine to treat the cancer instead of surgery.
Sometimes, however, this is not enough. Then steps in the surgical oncologist. He or she is specially trained to perform only surgical procedures dealing with tumors or cancer. Many procedures may be performed in the operation room, including tumor staging, tumor removal, or biopsy. A physician or surgeon of oncology may even work on the same patient if surgery and chemotherapy are both required.
In order to become a physician or surgeon of oncology , a person will have to first graduate from an accredited medical school before he or she is allowed to begin specialized training in a certain medical field. Next, that person will study for several years and participate in a residency at a nearby medical facility. After graduating from the specialized school, the next step is to apply for certification. A certification exam is given and must be passed. If a more specialized subfield is chosen, the person must take more training classes and pass yet another certification examination.
When looking for an oncologist, whether a surgeon or physician, reputation is key. Though individual results will vary from patient to patient, you want to find a doctor that cares for his patients. If you have a general doctor or family doctor, ask him or her for a recommendation. Your doctor should lead you in the right direction. Sometimes, however, your choice of doctors will be limited by other factors. Maybe your health insurance carrier will limit you to only certain doctors in your area. If this is the case, find out everything that you can about available doctors before you pick one. Schedule a consultation with any doctors you are considering and get to know them. Stick with a doctor you will feel comfortable with in the long run. Cancer can be a dangerous disease and you want not only to have the best doctors on your side fighting for your health, but to have a doctor that will be supportive, encouraging, and kind as well.
By Tamara C. Jude