Oncology

Oncology is a branch of medicine that studies cancer and its prevention and diagnosis. ”Onco” means tumor, bulk and “logy” means study.

The growth of cells in your body is highly regulated. Although a body’s function is well-controlled, sometimes cells may grow rapidly and out of control. The number of cases with cancer, a life-threatening disease, has been increasing.

Oncologists are specialized medical professionals that deal with cancers and tumors.

Types of Oncologists-

Different oncologists specialize in treating various types of cancers and tumors:

Medical oncologists- treat cancer using different techniques of medications such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Surgical oncologists- they are specialized in treating tumors and cancer by surgical procedures. Procedures include biopsies and complex surgeries.
Geriatric oncologists- treat people with cancer who are above the age of 65. They provide utmost care to older people and provide them with the right treatment.
Radiation oncologists- these experts use high-energy X-rays to destroy ”onco” cells or cancer-causing cells.
Neuro-oncologists- treat cancer in the nervous system of the body including the spine, and brain.
Hematologist oncologists- these medical professionals treat blood cancer, myeloma, and leukemia.
Pediatric oncologists- treat cancer in children and young ones.
Urologic oncologists- these specialists treat cancer in organs such as the bladder, prostate gland, and kidneys.

Symptoms that Require an Oncologist’s Interventions

Some general signs that require the expert guidance of an oncologist are:

Fatigue
Lumps in different parts of the body
Changes in bowel movement
Trouble in breathing
Constant cough
Changes in weight
Difficulty in eating and swallowing
Changes in skin texture
Indigestion
Unexplained pain in the body
Bleeding and bruising
Fever and night sweats

Causes of Cancer

Cancer can be caused due to many reasons. Some of them are:

Gene mutation
Excessive and uncontrolled growth of cell

When to See an Oncologist?

If you show any signs and symptoms of cancer then you must visit an oncologist. Even if you do not have visible signs of cancer but you are doubting cancer then you must also visit an oncologist. Sometimes there is no improvement in the symptoms even after medications; in such a case also,you must visit a specialist for better treatment.

Risk Factors

Some of the factors that can accelerate cancer are:

Habits
Health conditions
Family history
Environmental conditions
Age

Possible Complications

Although cancer is treatable, it can cause several complications. Some of them are-

Fatigue
Neurological disorders
Severe nausea
Diarrhea
Difficulty in breathing
Weakening of immune system
Return or spread of cancer
Chemical imbalance
Difficulty in breathing
Weight loss

Prevention of Cancer-

Complete prevention of cancer is not possible but there are a few ways that can help prevent or lessen the chances of cancer in the body-

Stop smoking and consume alcohol in moderation
Follow a balanced diet and eat healthy food
Exercise for most of the week
If you have a sensitive body then prevent yourself from the direct effect of the sun
Schedule a cancer-screening examination

Treatment of Cancer by an Oncologist-

Doctors have different ways of treating cancer. Some of these are:

Radiation therapy- high-powered beams are used for targeting cancer-causing cells.
Surgery- the main aim of surgery is to remove cancer cells or infected cells as much as possible.
Chemotherapy- drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
Stem cell therapy or bone marrow transplant- in a bone marrow transplant, the liquid inside the box used to make red blood cells is replaced by a donor bone marrow.

Other types of treatment include immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and clinical trials.