Q: What does oncologist do?

An oncologist diagnoses and treats cancer patients. Depending on the approach towards treatment of cancer, there are 3 types:<ul><li>Medical oncologists: they use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy to treat cancer.</li><li>Radiation oncologists: they use radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells.</li><li>Surgical oncologists: they use surgery to remove tumors.</li></ul>Note: There are several others depending on body parts affected by cancer.

Q: What can one expect from oncologist during their first appointment?

You can expect them to:<ul><li>Enquire about symptoms that led up to your appointment.</li><li>Review all the test reports.</li><li>Perform a physical examination, blood &amp; urine test, imaging scans, ultrasounds, CT scans, and biopsies and detect cancerous developments.</li><li>Explain the type of cancer you have, its stage, and its characteristics.</li><li>Tailor a treatment plan for you based on your medical history and all available treatments.</li><li>Help you manage any side effects of your cancer or its treatment</li></ul>

Q: What questions should one ask their oncologists?

You can enquire regarding the following:<ul><li>“What will be the side effects of this medicine?”</li><li>“Has this treatment worked for other patients of your’s? What was the success rate?”</li><li>“When can I return to work?”</li><li>“Will this treatment prevent/slow down progress, improve symptoms, or cure cancer?”</li><li>“Can lifestyle modifications relieve pain and other symptoms?”</li><li>Also ask about all treatment options &amp; discuss cost/side effects/risks/eligibility criteria/pre-operative preparation/post-operation care in detail.</li></ul>

Q: How should one prepare for an oncologist appointment?

Keep the following in mind:<ul><li>As treatment plans can be difficult to understand, thus we suggest taking notes.</li><li>Carry your prescription medicines or dietary supplements to your doctor.</li><li>Carry your medical test reports and physician referral note</li></ul>

Q: How to choose the right oncologist?

Take the following into account:<ul><li>Technology-friendly.</li><li>Expertise - they should have these degrees: MBBS, DNB/MS/MD (in pediatrics/medicine/radiotherapy), followed by M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) or D.M. (Medical Oncology).</li><li>Testimonials/Awards/Recognition.</li><li>Hygiene and sterilization.</li><li>Experience.</li></ul>

Question 1

What does oncologist do?

Accepted Answer

An oncologist diagnoses and treats cancer patients.
Depending on the approach towards treatment of cancer, there are 3 types:

Medical oncologists: they use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy to treat cancer.
Radiation oncologists: they use radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells.
Surgical oncologists: they use surgery to remove tumors.

Note: There are several others depending on body parts affected by cancer.

Question 2

What can one expect from oncologist during their first appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can expect them to:

Enquire about symptoms that led up to your appointment.
Review all the test reports.
Perform a physical examination, blood & urine test, imaging scans, ultrasounds, CT scans, and biopsies and detect cancerous developments.
Explain the type of cancer you have, its stage, and its characteristics.
Tailor a treatment plan for you based on your medical history and all available treatments.
Help you manage any side effects of your cancer or its treatment

Question 3

When to visit an oncologist?

Accepted Answer

You can’t directly approach oncologists, you will have to visit your primary care provider first, and if they suspect presence of tumor or anything else during any diagnostic test, then they will refer you to the required specialist.

Question 4

What questions should one ask their oncologists?

Accepted Answer

You can enquire regarding the following:

“What will be the side effects of this medicine?”
“Has this treatment worked for other patients of your’s? What was the success rate?”
“When can I return to work?”
“Will this treatment prevent/slow down progress, improve symptoms, or cure cancer?”
“Can lifestyle modifications relieve pain and other symptoms?”
Also ask about all treatment options & discuss cost/side effects/risks/eligibility criteria/pre-operative preparation/post-operation care in detail.

Question 5

How should one prepare for an oncologist appointment?

Accepted Answer

Keep the following in mind:

As treatment plans can be difficult to understand, thus we suggest taking notes.
Carry your prescription medicines or dietary supplements to your doctor.
Carry your medical test reports and physician referral note

Question 6

Does insurance cover oncology services?

Accepted Answer

There are cancer-specific health insurance plans that cover costs pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
In some cases, these insurance policies also pay you depending upon the stage of cancer.
Discuss insurance policies at length with your provider, since it can vary depending on the plan.

Question 7

How to choose the right oncologist?

Accepted Answer

Take the following into account:

Technology-friendly.
Expertise - they should have these degrees: MBBS, DNB/MS/MD (in pediatrics/medicine/radiotherapy), followed by M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) or D.M. (Medical Oncology).
Testimonials/Awards/Recognition.
Hygiene and sterilization.
Experience.

Question 8

What are the three different types of oncologists?

Accepted Answer

There are three different types of oncologists depending upon the nature, stage and location of cancer. They are:

Medical Oncologist

Medical Oncologists treat cancer using chemotherapy and other medications like immunotherapy or targeted therapy. He leads the development of the patient’s treatment and many consider him the primary health care provider.

Surgical Oncologist

A surgical oncologist specialises in removal of cancerous tumors. If a biopsy shows cancer cells, a surgical oncologist does the surgery to remove the cancer that has not spread. They also specialise in performing certain types of biopsies to detect cancer.

Radiation Oncologist

Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy tailored to the patient’s specific cancer. They use high-energy X-rays to kill the cancerous cells or reduce the tumour or slow tumour’s growth without affecting the neighbouring tissues. At times, they also perform brachytherapy where radioactive sources are implanted directly into or next to the tumour.

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