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