The study of medical oncology focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing cancer by implementing various procedures like biological therapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. Different types of cancers are diagnosed and cured through medical oncology. These include:
Medical oncology entails a comprehensive approach to enable doctors to cure and manage cancer for patients. The services may be centered upon preventing the spread of this disease to other body parts, stopping its growth, or destroying cancerous cells.
A physician who specializes in cancer diagnosis and treatment is a medical oncologist. A primary care physician should be consulted immediately if one experiences unusual health changes, such as excessive fatigue, unintended weight loss, unexplained pain, or a persistent lump in any body part who may or may not prescribe tests and refer to an oncologist.
A medical oncologist creates a treatment plan tailored to a patient’s requirements following diagnosis.
Depending on the type of cancer the patient has, a medical oncologist can explain the treatment protocols
to the patient in detail.
The type of treatment required by the patient is determined by the medical oncologist based on
the specifics of their cancer, including cancer's location and stage, the tumor's size, lymph
node involvement, and if it has spread to other organs.
The term "oncologist" is used to describe doctors who treat cancer patients. Treatment for cancer involves a variety of medical procedures, and therefore, requires a specialized team of doctors. Medical oncologists specialize in treating cancer using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Mentioned below are the different types of medical oncology treatment protocols a patient may be recommended to cure this disease.
Chemotherapy destroys cancerous cells with the use of drugs. It is a type of treatment that prevents cancer cell growth and multiplication. Chemotherapy is prescribed to treat various types of cancers. Oncology medicines like chemotherapy drugs typically attack affected cells during specific stages of the cell cycle. In order to create new cells, all cells go through the cell cycle. In contrast to healthy cells, cancerous cells undergo this process faster and hence, chemotherapy has more effect on these fast-growing cells.
Another type of cancer treatment is known as targeted therapy. It works by using a type of cancer drug that targets specific genes and proteins that aid cancer cell growth. Targeted therapy focuses on identifying the specific genes that cause a tumor to grow and change. A protein that is present in cancerous cells but not in the remaining healthy cells can be an ideal target for this kind of therapy. Drug treatment is developed once a target has been identified.
Targeted therapies function by doing the following:
The third type of cancer treatment is known as immunotherapy. It makes use of chemicals produced by the body or in a lab to strengthen the immune system and assist the body in locating and eliminating cancer cells. Many of the immune system's natural defenses are frequently overcome by cancer, allowing cancer cells to spread and proliferate.
Different immunotherapy modalities operate in various ways. Specific immunotherapy procedures assist the immune system in stopping or reducing the growth of affected cells. Others aid in the immune system's destruction of cancer cells or prevent the disease from spreading to other areas of the body.
There are different types of immunotherapies. These include:
Multiple factors will define the kind of immunotherapy, dosage, and timing required for a patient. Cancer's size, location, and extent are a few of these factors that can be considered. Additionally, significant factors include the individual’s age, general health, weight, and any potential adverse effects.
Medical oncology treats many types of cancer, including:
The study of cancer includes diagnosis, treatment, and research. An oncologist specializes in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. Oncologists can be broadly classified into various types and one of them is a medical oncologist. This type of oncologist specializes in treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. Patients with cancer are often treated by a medical oncologist.
Medical oncology is defined as a field of medicine dedicated to identifying and treating cancer. It encompasses the use of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and other medications to treat cancer.
A medical oncologist is a physician who uses chemotherapy and other drugs, such as targeted treatment or immunotherapy, to treat cancer. He/she oversees the development of the patient's therapy as the primary healthcare provider. A medical oncologist often collaborates with the other medical departments to enhance the efficacy of the treatment.
Yes. Some oncologists are also surgeons. A cancer surgeon specializes in diagnosing, staging, and removing cancerous growths. A surgical oncologist typically performs biopsies and surgery to remove tumors that can turn into cancer.
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