Clinical oncology

Clinical Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. It is a multidisciplinary approach that involves a team of healthcare professionals including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, and other specialists.

Overview

Clinical oncology is a specialty that focuses on the use of radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) and other treatments to manage patients with cancer. The discipline requires an understanding of the biology of cancer, the natural history of malignant disease, the principles of radiobiology, and the technical aspects of radiation treatment planning and delivery.

Role of a Clinical Oncologist

A clinical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer patients. They are responsible for the care of the patient from the moment of diagnosis, through the period of treatment, to the follow-up and aftercare. They work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. This includes liaising with pathologists for accurate diagnosis, radiologists for imaging and staging, and surgeons for operative interventions.

Treatment Modalities

Clinical oncologists use a variety of treatment modalities to treat cancer. These include:

• Radiation Therapy: This involves the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered externally or internally (brachytherapy).
• Chemotherapy: This involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
• Immunotherapy: This involves the use of treatments that stimulate the body's immune system to fight cancer.
• Hormone Therapy: This involves the use of drugs to block or lower the amount of hormones in the body to stop or slow the growth of cancer.
• Targeted Therapy: This involves the use of drugs that target specific genes or proteins that are found in cancer cells.

Training and Education

Training to become a clinical oncologist involves a long and rigorous process. After obtaining a medical degree, doctors must complete a residency in radiation oncology or medical oncology, followed by a fellowship in clinical oncology. This is often followed by further subspecialty training in a specific area of oncology.

See Also

• Medical Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Cancer
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Targeted Therapy