An oncologist is a doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Some oncologists specialise in a particular type of cancer treatment.Part of a multidisciplinary team, the oncologist also supports the patient through collaboration and coordination of other specialists.Oncologists are not only involved in clinical care, but also contribute to cancer research (including therapeutics, biology, epidemiology and clinical outcomes research), health education, clinical teaching and ethics.
- A medical oncologist treats cancer using chemotherapy or other medications, such as hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
- A surgical oncologist removes the tumour or cancerous tissue during an operation. They may also perform biopsies (see below).
- A radiation oncologist specialises in treating cancer using radiation therapy (radiotherapy).
Recommending tests to determine whether a person has cancer Explaining a cancer diagnosis, including the type and stage of the cancer Talking about all treatment options and your treatment choice Delivering quality and compassionate care Helping you manage symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment
If a person is diagnosed with cancer, or is suspected to have cancer, a GP may provide a referral to an oncologist. A biopsy (tissue sample) will be taken and examined by a pathologist. If it is found to be cancerous, a series of diagnostic tests and scans may be done to determine the size of the cancer and to find out whether it has spread.
Common types of cancer include breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and skin cancer. However, there are many different types of cancer, each with unique characteristics.