What is oncology?
The role of an oncologist
Cancer diagnosis in oncology
Common cancer therapies
Cancer screening
Advances in cancer research
References
Further reading
What is oncology?
The term “oncology” literally means the study of cancer (from “onco,” meaning tumor, and “-logy,” meaning study.1 The medical field of oncology comprises cancer research, screening, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and management of cancer survivors.1
The role of an oncologist
Medical professionals who specialize in caring for cancer patients are called oncologists. Their roles include cancer diagnosis, planning, and supervising treatment; monitoring the patient and the cancer during the treatment and follow-up; and participating in oncology research.2
Oncologists subspecialize in particular modes of cancer therapy, such as surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists who use surgical medical (such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy) and radiation-based methods, respectively, to destroy cancer cells.1
Another way to classify oncologists by their role in cancer care is based on their area of specialization, such as breast or gynecologic cancer specialists, or by the age group they treat, such as pediatric oncologists and geriatric oncologists.1
Cancer diagnosis in oncology
Common cancer symptoms include fatigue, unintentional weight loss, unexplained anemia, and fever of unknown origin.5
Physicians may then order laboratory tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy (removal of fragments of tumor tissue for histopathologic examination). Endoscopy is useful for visualizing and biopsying the hollow viscera and internal organs, including the gastrointestinal or urinogenital tracts.
Imaging studies make use of plain or contrast X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and ultrasound scans. Besides these, scintigraphy, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans and nuclear medicine techniques are extremely useful in cancer diagnosis.5
Blood tests may be ordered to assess the levels of biological markers or tumor-associated antigens. They help diagnose, monitor, and identify recurrences of cancer.5
Changes in chromosomes are detected by cytogenetics. Immunophenotyping identifies specific cell surface antigens or markers. These changes characterize some types of cancer and help to plan treatment.5
Liquid biopsy is a less invasive test that aims to find and examine cancer cells or DNA fragments from such cells to diagnose and monitor certain cancers and look for recurrences.5
Common cancer therapies
Based on the tumor grade and stage, oncologists devise a treatment plan for each patient. This could involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Other modalities include hormonal therapy (as for prostate or breast cancer) and targeted therapy that zeroes in on cancer-specific changes.6
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Hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy, which make use of heat and light-activated cancer drugs, respectively, play a role sometimes, while stem cell transplants are essential to restore blood cell counts after high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy.6
The oncologist in cancer care is part of a team catering to multiple aspects of the patient’s physical and emotional requirements. Oncologists are responsible for declaring remission, which means the patient is cancer-free, for follow-up, and for detecting a recurrence of the cancer.6
Oncologists are deeply involved in palliative cancer care, aimed at relieving pain and improving the quality of life in patients with terminal cancer. They must discuss this and other treatment choices with the patient and often the patient’s family, seeking to honor patient autonomy as well as maintain an ethical stand.
Cancer screening
Oncology has a public health aspect involving cancer screening of the general public as well as high-risk groups. An example is breast cancer, where regular mammography is used for population screening, whereas familial screening is performed by looking for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Advances in cancer research
Modern oncology targets altered cancer cell biology to prevent, arrest, or reverse the initiation and progression of cancer. Novel methods and techniques are being invented to make cancer treatment safer and more effective, from chemotherapy treatment regimens to optimal palliative care and pain relief. This makes oncology a continuously changing and developing field.
References
- What Is Oncology? Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/finding-care/what-is-oncology.html. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- What is Cancer? Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services. Available at https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2024-global-cancer-burden-growing--amidst-mounting-need-for-services. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- Cancer Statistics. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- How Cancer Is Diagnosed. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/diagnosis. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- Types of Cancer Treatment. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- Advancing the Frontiers of Cancer Science and Medicine. Available at https://cancerprogressreport.aacr.org/progress/cpr23-contents/cpr23-advancing-the-frontiers-of-cancer-science-and-medicine. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
- Understanding What Cancer Is: Ancient Times to Present. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/history-of-cancer/what-is-cancer.html. Accessed on January 6, 2025.
Further Reading
Huntsman Cancer Institute improves access for rural cancer patients