When does an oncologist get involved?

You'll probably see a medical oncologist right after you've been diagnosed with cancer. This is usually one of the first steps of your cancer journey. They can help you understand your diagnosis as well as the timeline of your cancer treatment.

Why do people get referred to oncologist?

You will likely be referred to an oncologist if your doctor suspects that you have the disease. Your primary care physician may carry out tests to determine if you might have cancer. If there are any signs of cancer, your doctor may recommend visiting an oncologist as soon as possible.

Do you have to be diagnosed with cancer to see an oncologist?

Patients with blood disorders are treated by hematologists and many oncologists are also board-certified to practice hematology. So even though you don't have cancer, you may be treated by a physician who specializes in both cancer and blood disorders.

What does an oncologist do on your first visit?

At the first appointment, the oncologist will talk about treatment options. The doctor will explain which ones are available, how effective they are and what the side effects may be. Then the oncologist will recommend a course and talk about when the treatments should take place.

What condition is treated by an oncologist?

An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer. An oncologist may also be called a cancer specialist. The field of oncology has 3 major areas based on treatments: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.

Pros vs cons of becoming an oncologist!

What does oncologist look for in blood test?

Samples taken for cancer blood tests are tested in a lab for signs of cancer. When viewed under a microscope, the samples may show the actual cancer cells. Other blood tests might find proteins or other substances made by the cancer. Blood tests can also tell your provider how well your organs are working.

Do oncologists do biopsies?

A surgical oncologist uses surgery to remove tumors. They also perform biopsies, where they'll remove a tiny piece of tissue so they can test it.

What happens at an oncology consultation?

Once all of your information is collected, your oncologist will want to make sure you understand your cancer. They will usually start by explaining the general characteristics of your type of cancer, and then talk to you about your particular diagnosis.

Do you see an oncologist for benign tumors?

Your oncologist plays an important role in your overall wellness. This medical professional can identify whether you have a tumor and diagnose if it is benign or malignant. If it is malignant, it has cancer and poses risks to your health.

Does an oncologist do a physical exam?

A diagnosis of cancer can seem overwhelming. However, by preparing for your visit to your oncologist, you can make the process easier. You can expect to have a consultation which will include a physical exam. Keep reading to learn more about the process.

Will a doctor tell you if they suspect cancer?

Doctors need the information about grade and stage to plan your treatment. It may take a few days before your doctor has the results of all the tests. They will then be able to tell you whether you have cancer, and talk with you about your treatment options.

Can an oncologist diagnose cancer without a biopsy?

Imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, are helpful in detecting masses or irregular tissue, but they alone can't tell the difference between cancerous cells and cells that aren't cancerous. For most cancers, the only way to make a diagnosis is to perform a biopsy to collect cells for closer examination.

Does oncology mean cancer?

Oncology is the study of cancer. Oncologists specialize in managing and treating patients throughout the course of the disease, which involves: Confirming a patient's initial diagnosis. Explaining the cancer diagnosis and stage.

What does an oncology referral mean?

Physicians and dentists generally send those patients with suspected or confirmed cancer to oncologists*. These referrers can be primary care doctors, gynecologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists, dermatologists and others.

Do oncologists do procedures?

The most common procedures performed by surgical oncologists are biopsies and surgery for cancerous growth removal. They can also perform surgery to stage cancer and determine how far cancer has spread. In certain circumstances, surgical oncologists may also perform preventive surgeries.

What questions should I ask my first oncologist?

How do you tell if a tumor is benign or malignant?

A benign tumor has distinct, smooth, regular borders. A malignant tumor has irregular borders and grows faster than a benign tumor. A malignant tumor can also spread to other parts of your body. A benign tumor can become quite large, but it will not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of your body.

Can you tell if a tumor is benign without a biopsy?

Benign tumors can grow but do not spread. There is no way to tell from symptoms alone if a tumor is benign or malignant. Often an MRI scan can reveal the tumor type, but in many cases, a biopsy is required. If you are diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, you're not alone.

Do benign tumors require chemo?

When a benign tumor requires treatment, it isn't too different from the treatment of a malignant or cancerous tumor. It may be radiation therapy, radiosurgery for benign tumors located in the skull base, surgery or chemotherapy.

What questions should you ask an oncologist?

Do oncologists lie about prognosis?

Many have fulminated against oncologists who lie to patients about their prognoses, but sometimes cancer doctors lie for or with patients to improve our chances of survival.

What is a medical oncologist do?

(MEH-dih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main health care provider for someone who has cancer.

Do oncologists take chemo?

Among oncologists/hematologists, 64.5% said that they would take chemotherapy, as did 67% of nurses. The two nonmedical administrators both voted no. In the “other” category, which included a mix of radiation oncologists and other types of physicians, 33% said that they would take chemotherapy.

Are all cancers carcinomas?

Not all cancers are carcinoma. Other types of cancer that aren't carcinomas invade the body in different ways. Those cancers begin in other types of tissue, such as: Bone.

Is a negative biopsy good?

Although tests aren't 100% accurate all the time, receiving a wrong answer from a cancer biopsy – called a false positive or a false negative – can be especially distressing. While data are limited, an incorrect biopsy result generally is thought to occur in 1 to 2% of surgical pathology cases.