What Is a Medical Oncologist?

A medical oncologist can help you battle your terminal illness. Cancer is a silent, complex illness. Treating it needs a versatile healthcare professional. An oncologist collaborates with other healthcare providers. This is important in making your cancer treatment more effective. If you want to understand what a medical oncologist is, here are the facts.

The definition of the work

A medical oncologist aims to give cancer patients optimal treatment results. This healthcare professional also provides counseling to patients and their families. Oncologists take part in clinical research as well. Working with a multidisciplinary team is part of being a medical oncologist. This includes advising on every aspect of cancer treatment.

The roles

Diagnosing cancers is one of the basic roles of an oncologist. Next is discussing the treatment options with the patients. Breaking the news to the patient and the patient’s family can be a difficult thing to do. Even so, an oncologist does it with strength and compassion.

Scheduling and overseeing the treatments are part of this profession’s role. An oncologist can treat the complications that may arise after each treatment session. It is also the role of a medical oncologist to support the patient even after the cancer treatment. Oncologists tend to have a caring relationship with patients. This encourages the patients to cooperate and keep treatment schedules.

The treatments

An oncologist can treat patients with metastasized or localized malignancies. Systemic therapy is part of an oncologist’s treatment methods. This healthcare professional also treats post-surgical patients. These patients had surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Providing post-operative cancer therapy is also part of the treatment package. This makes the patient’s outlook better.

Oncologists can treat various types of cancers. Chemotherapy and endocrine therapy are the main interventions that an oncologist can provide. Other biological therapies are available for the cancer patient. Common therapies are immunotherapy, antibodies, and small molecules.

What to expect on the first appointment with a medical oncologist

The oncologist will see and assess the patient by observation and palpation. The doctor will ask the patient some questions. This medical professional will ask about the patient’s medical and family history. Patients can show a lump or talk about pain. Weight loss is a common presentation as well.

The oncologist will order an X-ray, CT scan, biopsy, and blood test. For the biopsy, the medical oncologist will take a sample of the tumor through surgery. A pathologist will then check the sample tissue. Biochemical and microscopic features will determine the type of cancer. This will confirm the oncologist’s diagnosis.

The medical oncologist will meet with the patient and relay the diagnosis. After a while, the oncologist will discuss the treatment plan with the patient. The treatment will start as soon as the patient informs loved ones and superiors at work. This news often stays within closed circles.

A medical oncologist can help you go through this challenging stage in your life

Cancer is a battle that may come and go for most people. A medical oncologist can help by providing treatments and counseling. You can also expect compassion from your medical oncologist. An appointment with your oncologist can start your journey to conquering your diagnosis.

Get more information about Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center in Marlton at https://lindenbergcancer.com.

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