| Oncology is the study of cancerous tumors, | | | | hands of the doctor you choose. |
| while an oncologist is a doctor that treats | | | | |
| cancer. Though different countries and | | | | In addition to experience in treating |
| schools of medicine might divide oncologists | | | | patients, training and experience with the |
| into several different categories and | | | | latest technologies is also important since |
| specialties, in America, there are two main | | | | newer technologies are capable of providing |
| types of oncologists. A radiation oncologist | | | | better treatment of cancer. IMRT, for |
| is a doctor that specializes in radiation | | | | example, is a relatively new method of |
| treatment of cancer, known as radiation | | | | radiation therapy that allows for higher |
| therapy, or more simply, radiotherapy. | | | | doses of radiation to be delivered to a tumor |
| | | | while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. |
| Radiation oncology does not include | | | | |
| chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is handled by a | | | | Some radiation oncologists don't even have |
| medical oncologist. | | | | access to new technologies such as IMRT. In |
| | | | cases where access is available, doctors may |
| In some countries, a clinical oncologist | | | | have little or no training and little or no |
| handles both radiation therapy as well as | | | | experience. |
| chemotherapy. Surgical oncology deals with | | | | |
| the surgical treatment of tumors. Surgical | | | | To receive the best treatment possible, as a |
| oncologists are split into several | | | | patient it would be beneficial to seek out a |
| specialties that focus on cancers infecting | | | | radiation oncologist that is both experienced |
| particular areas of the body. | | | | with the latest technologies as well as |
| | | | practices at a facility that has access to |
| Today, thanks to improving technology in the | | | | these technologies. |
| field of radiation oncology, about 70 percent | | | | |
| of all cancer treatment plans include | | | | Bedside manner is important as well. A person |
| radiation therapy. Some of these involve | | | | can generally tell whether they'll get along |
| strictly radiation treatment while some, more | | | | with within a few minutes of meeting them. |
| severe cases of cancer call for a combination | | | | You're under enough stress just from the |
| of radiation and chemotherapy treatment. | | | | discovery that you have or may have cancer. |
| | | | Having to put up with an oncologist you don't |
| Choosing a radiation oncologist | | | | get along with can be detrimental to your |
| | | | health, especially if your relationship with |
| As can be expected, the more experience a | | | | your doctor is so bad that you loathe going |
| doctor has in oncology the higher their | | | | to see him or her. |
| success record becomes in successful | | | | |
| treatment of their patients. Choosing a | | | | However, a radiation oncologist's ability to |
| radiation oncologist then becomes a | | | | give you the best treatment possible may |
| potentially vital part of your treatment. You | | | | trump all else. Choose wisely. |
| may be literally putting your life in the | | | | |