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Oncology

Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

The field has evolved to encompass various approaches to care, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, to provide comprehensive cancer treatment. Oncologists collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tailor patient care based on individual needs and the type and stage of cancer. This field is pivotal as it involves both curative and palliative care, supporting patients through the challenging journey of cancer treatment and survivorship.

Specialities

Medical Oncology: This specialty deals with the treatment of cancer using chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Medical oncologists manage the overall treatment plan and coordinate care among various specialists. For instance, a medical oncologist at a major cancer centre may oversee a patient's chemotherapy regimen while monitoring progress and side effects.

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Surgical Oncology: Surgical oncologists specialise in performing operations to remove tumours and cancerous tissues.

This form of oncology not only aids in treatment but also in diagnosis through biopsies. A hospital may have specialised units for surgeries such as mastectomies for breast cancer or tumour resections for gastrointestinal cancers.

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Radiation Oncology: This specialty uses high-energy radiation to kill or damage cancer cells. Radiation oncologists design treatment plans that maximise the dose to the cancerous area while minimising exposure to healthy tissues.

An example in hospitals would be a department equipped with linear accelerators to provide precise radiation therapy for patients with prostate or head and neck cancers.

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FAQ's

  • How does radiation therapy work? +

    Radiation therapy kills or damages cancer cells in the area being treated. Cancer cells begin to die days or weeks after treatment starts, and continue to die for weeks or months after it finishes. Although the radiation can also damage healthy cells, most of these cells tend to receive a lower dose and can usually repair themselves. Many people will develop temporary side effects during or shortly after treatment that may cause pain or discomfort.

  • What is the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy? +

    Chemotherapy means medications given by injections or tablets for treatment of cancer. The medicine circulates throughout the entire body and is generally prescribed by a medical oncologist. Radiation therapy is treatment by rays produced by a linear accelerator or another radiation source, and is prescribed by a radiation oncologist. The radiotherapy beams are focused on a very specific area of the body, and thus the effects are local.

  • How long does a course of radiotherapy treatments usually last? +

    Most radiation therapy treatments are daily, five days per week, for a specified period of one to eight weeks, depending on the disease and the course that the physician plans

  • How long does each treatment take? +

    Radiation technologists, who are under the direction of the radiation oncologist, will take all the time necessary to ensure that you are accurately positioned for your treatment. This may be between 15 to 20 minutes. The actual time when the radiation is “on” is generally only about a minute or two for each treatment field. The staff tries to arrange the schedules to ensure that appointments are kept on time, but on some days, there may be delays because of unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.