Oncology (Greek word coined in 1618) ia a branch of medicine that deals with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. The subdivisions of oncology are
Cancers are often managed through discussion on multidisciplinary tumor boards where Surgical oncologist, Medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, Pathologist, Radiologist and organ specific oncologist meet to find best possible management for individual patient considering physical, social, psychological, emotional and financial status of the patient. It is important for the oncologist to keep up to date with latest advancements in oncology as changes in management of cancers are quite common.
Medical Oncology is a branch of oncology that focuses on treatment of cancer with..
Chemotherapy means medical treatment predominantly used for cancer by giving one or more drugs to destroy cancer cells. Though it is more effective on cancer cells, it also affects normal cells and has side effects which can be managed appropriately. It can be given in different scenarios(as mentioned below) according to the type of cancer and stage.
Used as sole modality to cure cancers like Lymphomas and Leukemia's.
Used after other curative treatment modalities(Surgery or Radiotherapy) to kill the hidden/microscopic tumor cells.
Used before other curative treatment modalities(Surgery or Radiotherapy) to shrink the tumor and make it feasible or ease it for other modalities.
Used along with radiotherapy to cure cancers.
Used to ease the signs and symptoms of cancer by killing some cancer cells in metastatic disease.
Precision medicines like small molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies that are designed to specifically target cancer cells by targeting proteins. For some cancers, most of the patients will have target towards these drugs (Biomolecular driven treatment).
This is the type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight against cancer. This is a type of biological therapy which used substances made from living organisms to treat cancer.
This type of treatment works by blocking the hormone required for cancer cell growth, hence used in Hormone driven cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Communicates the results of clinical and experimental research in oncology and hematology, particularly experimental therapeutics(chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) with patients and attenders.
Communicates the results of clinical and experimental research in oncology and hematology, particularly experimental therapeutics(chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) with patients and attenders.
Reviews patient prior to each cycle of chemotherapy, because they need to undergo clinical assessment, undergo scans and other tests to monitor response to treatment.
It is very much important to consult your medical oncologist prior to each and every chemo to monitor disease response, assess chemo tolerance and change the drugs/dosage accordingly.
