Medical oncology is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of cancer patients. Medical oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating cancer using drug therapies, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy.
Some of the main duties and responsibilities of medical oncology are:
Cancer diagnosis and staging: Medical oncologists are involved in diagnosing cancer in patients. They also determine the stage of the cancer, which refers to the rate of spread of the disease in the body. This helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Chemotherapy treatment: Medical oncologists prescribe chemotherapy, a treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth. Chemotherapy can be given as an adjuvant treatment after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells, as a neoadjuvant treatment to shrink the tumor before surgery, or as a palliative treatment to relieve symptoms in advanced cancer.
Immunotherapy: Medical oncologists may also prescribe immunotherapy, a treatment that stimulates the body's immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells.
Targeted therapy: Medical oncologists use targeted therapies, drugs that target specific molecular changes in cancer cells to inhibit their growth.
Hormone therapy: For hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, hormone therapy may be prescribed to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells by affecting hormone levels.
Aftercare and follow-up: Medical oncologists also provide aftercare and follow-up to patients who have undergone treatment for cancer. They monitor patients' recovery and check for any recurrence of the disease.
Clinical research: Medical oncologists are often involved in clinical research and trials to evaluate new treatments and therapies and advance advances in cancer treatment.
Medical oncology plays a vital role in cancer management, providing patients with access to a wide variety of treatment options. Medical oncologists' approach is often multidisciplinary, working with surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists and other specialists to provide a comprehensive approach to care that is tailored to each patient's unique needs.