A medical oncologist is a health care provider who specializes in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Unlike surgical oncologists, who specialize in tumor removal through surgery, a medical oncologist specializes in drug and hormone cancer treatments like chemotherapy. Throughout their treatment, many cancer patients will have a medical oncologist as their primary physician.
To become a medical oncologist, you’ll need several degrees and a lot of experience. An aspiring oncologist must complete medical school and obtain certification as a doctor in addition to an undergraduate degree. Following this training, further education and practical experience as an intern and resident physician pave the way for a career as an oncologist.
Following graduation from medical school, medical oncologists typically complete several years of advanced training in their field. Many people work on ongoing drug research to improve or develop new cancer-fighting medications. A governing medical body, such as the American Board of Internal Medicine, may require medical oncologists to become board certified. A board certification indicates to potential patients that the doctor has completed extensive training in the specialty and has met the certifying group’s standards.
A medical oncologist may be one of the first doctors a cancer patient should see. Following confirmation of the diagnosis, the oncologist can advise the patient on treatment options. Medical oncologists frequently recommend chemotherapy or drug treatments, and they may be able to enroll eligible patients in clinical trials that could benefit them. The first step in beating a cancer diagnosis is to find a good oncologist. Most general practitioners will be able to give their patients a list of resources to help them diagnose or treat cancer.
Medical oncologists frequently collaborate with other doctors to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for their patients. Because drug regimens are frequently combined with radiation therapy and surgical tumor removal, medical oncology can often be of great assistance to surgical or clinical oncologists. Medical oncologists can help patients aggressively combat cancer and remain in remission after treatments are completed working as part of a collaborative team.
Medical oncologists must continue to research new and upcoming treatments in addition to receiving advanced training in the field. They ensure that their patients receive the most effective and best available treatment staying up to date on drug research and discoveries. Throughout their careers, many medical oncologists continue to do medical research and may conduct clinical trials for new drugs and treatments.