Oncology
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. After a cancer diagnosis is made, it is the oncologist role to explain the cancer diagnosis and the meaning of the disease stage to the patient; discuss various treatment options; recommend the best course of treatment; deliver optimal care; and improve quality of life both through curative therapy and palliative care with pain and symptom management..
Cancer can cause almost any sign or symptom, depending on the location and size of the tumor, as well as its effects on organs or tissues. Cancer that has spread, or metastasized, may cause symptoms in other parts of the body. As it grows, it can push on nearby organs, blood vessels and nerves, causing some signs and symptoms of disease. Even small tumors, in critical parts of the body such as the brain, can cause symptoms.
Types :
Medical oncology, Surgical oncology, Radiation oncology, Gynecologic oncology, Pediatric oncology, Hematologist oncology.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever/night sweats
- Fatigue / Bone pain (ribs/back)
- Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
- Pain in bones/joints
- Itchy skin / Skin Changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles
- Feeling weak or breathless
- Persistent cough or trouble breathing / Swollen stomach or abdominal discomfort
- Easily bruise or bleed
- Enlarged lymph nodes / Frequent and repeated infections
- Lumps that may indicate a tumor.
- Leukemia, a common blood test called complete blood count may reveal an unusual number or type of white blood cells.
- Diagnosing cancer may include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound and X-ray, among others.
- Which biopsy procedure is right for you depends on your type of cancer and its location.
- Surgery - The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer or as much of the cancer as possible.
- Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy
- Bone marrow transplant
- Immunotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Clinical trials