Oncology involves the comprehensive medical study, clinical diagnosis, and active treatment of cancer in patients. A general practitioner identifies initial symptoms, but an oncologist creates the specific medical treatment plan. Because cancer affects the body in complex ways, doctors specialize in many different accepted treatment methods. Here are some of the services an oncologist provides:
Chemotherapy
Although people associate it with IV drips, chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy harmful cancer cells. These strong medications travel through the bloodstream to reach cells found throughout the entire human body. Some patients receive oral pills at home, and others visit a clinic for liquid infusions. When cancer spreads, doctors use these systemic treatments.
Doctors typically administer these strong drugs in specific cycles, so the body has adequate time to recover. While the drugs target fast-growing cells, they affect healthy cells in the process as well. Your doctor monitors blood counts closely to check for infection risks or other potential physical issues. You typically attend regular appointments, and the team adjusts the dose based on your physical reaction.
Immunotherapy
Biological therapy in oncology is used to boost the body’s natural defenses against foreign cancer cells found in the system. Checkpoint inhibitors are common, but doctors also use T-cell transfer therapy to treat specific cancer types. Since cancer cells hide from the immune system, immunotherapy helps the body find and destroy them. This approach uses living organisms to fight the disease.
Standard types of immunotherapy include:
- Checkpoint inhibitors
- T-cell transfer therapy
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Treatment vaccines
- Immune system modulators
Radiation Therapy
When tumors are localized, radiation therapy targets that specific area with high-energy beams or particles. A large machine directs the energy to the site, and it damages the cancer DNA. The cells eventually stop dividing and die, which shrinks the size of the tumor over time. Because the beams are precise, they limit damage to the rest of the body.
Internal radiation is another valid option for some specific diagnoses found within the body’s internal organs. Doctors may place a solid source inside the body, so the radiation sits near the tumor site. If you receive this treatment type, you might stay in the hospital for a brief time. The source releases energy slowly near the target tissue.
Side effects depend on the location, but fatigue is a very common physical response for patients. Because radiation affects healthy tissue nearby, precise targeting remains a top priority for your medical team. Skin changes often occur at the specific treatment site on the body during the therapy course. Creams help soothe the area, and your nurse provides instructions for daily skin care at home.
Surgical Procedures
Before other treatments begin, surgeons may remove the visible tumor mass physically from the patient’s body. This invasive procedure works well for solid tumors that have not spread elsewhere in the system. The surgeon removes the growth, and they may take nearby lymph nodes for lab testing, too. If the tumor is large, surgery reduces the cancer burden before other therapies start.
Find Oncology Services Near You
Proper medical care requires a dedicated team with experience in your specific condition or cancer type. Early detection helps management, so schedule an appointment with a specialist in your area very soon. If you have questions about a recent diagnosis, contact a local medical center today for answers. Take charge of your health options today.
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