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Medical vs. Surgical Oncologist: What’s the Difference and Who Should You Consult?
By Raveena M Prakash
Once you are diagnosed with cancer, the next step is to consult a doctor to understand the type of your cancer, its type and its stage, and the location of the cancer within your body. Specialists who treat cancer are commonly referred to as oncologists. There are different types of oncologists you may need to consult for your cancer treatments. If you are confused about the types of oncologists you should see for your cancer treatments and the difference between medical oncologists and surgical oncologists, then keep reading! If you are also looking for the best medical oncologists in Delhi, then this blog is for you!
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of oncologists, the key differences between medical and surgical oncologists, the best surgical oncologists in Delhi, and much more!
What is an oncologist?
An oncologist is a cancer specialist who specializes in diagnosing, staging, and treating cancer. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you need to consult with an oncologist to know more about your specific cancer, its type and stage, along with the location of the cancer and extent of growth in your body.
What does an oncologist do?
Here are some of the diagnosis and treatment activities of an oncologist:
- Perform cancer screening tests to diagnose cancer.
- Provide a second opinion on your previous diagnosis.
- Identifying the best treatment option for their patient
- Explain treatment side effects and benefits to patients.
- Oversee patient’s cancer treatment
- Manage post-treatment care.
Types of Oncologists?
People diagnosed with cancer have to consult multiple oncologists on their cancer care team. Each specialist has to focus on different areas of your cancer treatment with a common goal.
There are certain oncologists who specialise in certain treatments.
Surgical oncologists:
Surgical oncologists are surgeons who will perform surgery to remove tumors or cancer that hasn’t spread to other organs. Surgical oncologists also remove the surrounding tissues to prevent the recurrence of cancer in patients.
Medical oncologists:
Medical oncologists use treatments such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and other targeted treatments to treat cancer.
Radiation oncologists:
These radiation oncologists are also cancer specialists. They use radiation therapy to treat cancer in their patients. Radiation is often used to shrink or destroy tumors or cancer cells to kill remaining cancer cells after the surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy alone or combined treatments are given to treat cancer.
Other oncologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating different types of cancer:
Gynecologic oncologists:
These oncologists offer treatments for gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Pediatric oncologists:
These oncologists provide treatments for cancer in children, such as childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Ewing sarcoma, and childhood brain tumors.
Neurological oncologists:
These specialists treat patients who have brain cancer and cancer that affects the nervous system.
What is a medical oncologist?
The medical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using a variety of treatments such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and many other treatments. Cancer patients mostly consult with a medical oncologist in the early stages/days of their cancer treatments and often consider the medical oncologist as their primary cancer specialist.
This is because they often visit their medical oncologist during their cancer treatment journey. The majority of medical oncologists also specialize in hematology. This includes the treatment and diagnosis of blood cancer and blood disorders.
What is a surgical oncologist?
A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats cancer by performing surgery to remove cancer or a tumor that hasn’t spread to other body parts yet. Surgery is the common treatment performed by the surgical oncologist for the treatment of cancer. Surgeries are often performed when your biopsy shows any cancer cells, and they remove your tumor along with surrounding tissues to prevent cancer recurrence in your body again.
If you are tired of searching for the best surgical oncologist in Delhi, then visit Oncare Cancer Center. Book an appointment today, and get started with your cancer treatment now.
What does a surgical oncologist do?
- Perform biopsies to find out about cancer cells or growth.
- Helps you to determine the stage of your cancer
- Explain potential surgical treatments.
- Explain the side effects and benefits of surgical treatments.
- Helps you to prepare for the surgery
- Discuss what to expect after the surgery.
- Oversee the chance of recovery.
- Treat any post-surgery complications.
- Perform palliative care surgery to ease and smooth cancer symptoms in patients.
What types of surgeries do surgical oncologists perform?
There are two types of surgeries a surgical oncologist performs.
1. Minimally invasive surgery:
In this procedure, the surgical oncologist might make several small incisions (cuts); they use a specialized tool to remove cancerous tissue.
2. Open surgery:
In this procedure, the oncologist might make a large cut, also known as an incision, to remove the cancerous tumor from the body.
Key difference between medical and surgical oncologists
The main difference between medical oncologists and surgical oncologists is based on their treatment approaches. The medical oncologist treats cancer while using specific medications such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, while the surgical oncologist treats cancer using surgical procedures, which mainly include tumor removal surgeries and biopsies.
When to consult a medical oncologist vs. a surgical oncologist?
You need to visit a medical oncologist or a surgical oncologist when your general physician guides you to consult an expert based on your condition.
Medical Oncologist:
You should consult a medical oncologist when you require medication-based treatments or therapy, such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or immunotherapy. This consultation helps in managing these treatments along with deciding your long-term treatment goals.
Surgical Oncologist:
You should consult a surgical oncologist when you require a biopsy or surgical removal of a tumor or you are considering surgical treatment options for your treatments.
Consult Today
Both medical oncologists and surgical oncologists are an essential part of your cancer treatment. While one specializes in medication-based treatment and systemic therapies, the other focuses on surgical interventions in patients. Understanding the significance and roles of both surgical and medical oncologists in cancer treatment and the difference in their treatment approaches helps to empower cancer patients and families to discover more about the treatment with clarity and acceptance.
Oncare Cancer Center is one of the best cancer hospitals in Delhi. If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, consult both specialists at Oncare and get a high-quality treatment at an affordable treatment package that combines the expertise of both these specialists.
Visit Oncare Cancer Center's website and book an appointment today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments. Trust OnCare; we are the best cancer hospital in India. We have the best medical oncologists in India. Don't wait; call us today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In your first visit to a surgical oncologist, they will explain the test results and their meaning.
- Discuss the cancer stage and its growth.
- Explain the treatment options, their side effects, and the benefits of these treatments.
- Recommends surgeries, such as invasive surgery or open surgeries
- Discuss the next step with you, such as your treatment, deciding on and scheduling your treatment.
If you are a cancer patient and currently undergoing any cancer treatment, there are times you need to consult or call your oncologist.
Call your oncologist if you are facing these symptoms:
- A fever over 100.4 degrees
- Experience any new symptoms.
- Sudden changes in your existing symptoms
- Pain or discomfort that doesn’t lower with medication
- Experiencing the signs of stroke, such as facial weakness, confusion, dizziness, severe headaches, and vision changes
- Signs of heart attack and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, and shoulder pain
There are other oncologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating certain types of cancer, such as:
- Gynecologic oncologists: These cancer specialists provide treatments for gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancers, uterine cancers, and ovarian cancers.
- Pediatric oncologists: These oncologists mainly specialize in providing treatments for cancers that are most common in children, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Ewing sarcoma, and childhood brain tumors.
- Neurological oncologists: These oncologist specialists treat people with brain tumors and cancer that affect the nervous system.
An experienced oncologist would perform several tests and screenings to check whether you have cancer cells in your body.
Oncologists often perform:
- Perform different kinds of tests to diagnose whether the patient has cancer or not.
- Gives you a second opinion on a previous diagnosis
- Identify several treatment options.
- Discuss each treatment's side effects and benefits.
- Oversee cancer treatment and its recovery
- Manage post-treatment care and support.