Doctor oncologist - who is it and what does it treat? Appointment

Table of contents:

Doctor oncologist - who is it and what does it treat? Appointment
Doctor oncologist - who is it and what does it treat? Appointment
Anonim

Oncologist

An oncologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and prevents benign and malignant neoplasms.

Oncology is a highly specialized branch of medicine, whose tasks are to study the mechanisms of the appearance and development of various tumors. As you know, special attention is paid to malignant tumors, united under the general name "cancer". The results of the work of oncologists are methods of treating cancer and combating the growth of any tumors at all stages of development. If you were looking for an answer to the question “what does an oncologist treat?”, then, following from the foregoing, it is easy to draw the right conclusion. An oncologist treats tumors.

Leave a request to "make an appointment" and within a few minutes we will find an experienced doctor near you, and the price will be lower than when contacting the clinic directly.

Or choose a doctor yourself by clicking on the "Find a doctor" button. Find a doctor

Main areas of oncology

As the spread of oncological diseases and the increase in the amount of information collected about them, the following separate areas have emerged:

  • Oncodermatology - the study of skin tumors;
  • Oncoendocrinology - tumors of various endocrine glands;
  • Oncohematology - tumors of the hematopoietic organs, circulatory and lymphatic systems;
  • Oncogastroenterology and oncoproctology - the study of tumors of the digestive system and rectum, respectively;
  • Oncohepatology - liver tumors;
  • Onconephrology - tumors of the kidneys and excretory ducts;
  • Oncomammology - neoplasms in the mammary glands;
  • Oncogynecology and oncoandrology - tumors of the glands and organs of the female and male reproductive systems, respectively;
  • Oncourology - tumors of the bladder and ureters;
  • Oncopulmology – lung neoplasms;
  • oncologist
    oncologist
  • Cardiooncology - heart tumors;
  • Neurooncology - neoplasms in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord);
  • Psycho-oncology - studies the impact of cancer on the mental state of patients, as well as their relationship with medical staff and loved ones;
  • Oncoimmunology - explores the possibilities of immunological drugs in the treatment of cancer.
  • Radiation oncology - develops treatments for tumors with radiation;
  • Oncological Chemotherapy - explores the treatment of cancer with antineoplastic agents (chemicals and drugs that inhibit the development of neoplasms);
  • Oncosurgery - the use of surgical methods to remove tumors and eliminate the consequences of oncological diseases;
  • Pediatric and geriatric oncology - studies the course of cancer in children and older people;
  • Oncoepidemiology - keeps statistics on cancer in certain areas and among the general population.

Specialization of an oncologist

Oncological diseases, in essence, are systemic, so the oncologist must understand the structural features and treatment of all organs and tissues. In addition, each oncologist has specialized skills and knowledge for his or her organ or system (for example, an onco-mammologist, an onco-gastroenterologist, etc.). Simply put, an oncologist directs the treatment of those organs in which a tumor develops.

What does an oncologist treat?

Neoplasms that develop to pathological sizes fall within the scope of an oncologist. They can be relatively harmless (benign) or aggressive to the body (malignant).

Let's take a closer look at their distinctive features:

  • Benign tumors are made up of cells similar to those found in tissues in which proliferation occurs. These cells do not tend to infiltrate or metastasize, so they do not penetrate into adjacent organs and tissues. In addition, the growth rate of benign neoplasms in most cases is quite low.
  • Malignant tumors differ in intensity of growth. Their cells acquire pathological activity, the ability to penetrate he althy tissues and metastasize to distant organs.

Diseases treated by an oncologist

Diseases treated by an oncologist
Diseases treated by an oncologist

Modern oncologists can treat a range of cancers:

  • Leukemia is the proliferation of blasts - immature cells (acute form) or maturing and mature bone marrow cells (chronic form), leading to a deterioration in hematopoietic processes up to its complete cessation, the formation of cytopenia and suppression of immunity.
  • Melanoma is the appearance of a malignant neoplasm of skin pigment cells that produce melanin (birthmarks, moles, etc.).
  • Lymphogranulomatosis is a tumor in the lymphatic system that can quickly spread through the lymphatic vessels and metastasize to various organs.
  • Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to the gradual destruction of bone tissue.
  • Sarcomas - originate from soft extraskeletal tissues (muscles, fat, blood and lymph vessels, mesothelium, etc.).
  • Neuroendocrine tumors - these include gastroenteropancreatic neoplasms, cancerous lesions of islet cells, tumors in the endocrine glands (prostate, breast, adrenal glands, ovaries, thyroid, etc.).
  • Neoplasms of the mediastinum - appear between the lungs, under the sternum.
  • Tumours of the central nervous system - appear in the nerve tissues of the spinal cord and brain, disrupt the coordination function and lead to severe nervous disorders.
  • Fibroids – also known as fibroids. Often occurs in women of reproductive age in the uterus. It may be in a benign condition for a long time, but without appropriate treatment, in most cases, malignancy of the tumor occurs.

When should I see an oncologist?

Medical scientists have identified a number of specific symptoms, in the presence of which any person is strongly recommended to undergo an oncological examination.

  • Signs of bleeding from internal organs (from the nose, genitals, along with urine or feces) were noticed;
  • A strong weight loss has been recorded for which there is no adequate explanation;
  • Skin growths and suspicious changes in moles or warts;
  • Swollen and thickened lymph nodes without signs of infection;
  • Soft tissue seals (special attention is given to the mammary glands);
  • Migraines accompanied by impaired coordination, vision or hearing;
  • Regular unexplained diarrhea with abnormal rectal discharge;
  • Prolonged lack of appetite, nausea and a sharp deterioration in well-being;
  • Discomfort associated with pressure in the abdominal cavity, chest, throat, pelvic area, which does not go away for a long time.

When should I visit an oncolgist?

Even if the typical symptoms of cancer are absent, there are other equally important reasons to visit an oncologist:

  • Prophylactic follow-up after treatment of any cancer. Carried out twice a year or more often (as prescribed by the attending physician);
  • Women over the age of 45 should visit a breast oncologist regularly. For nulliparous women, this age is reduced to 40 years. It's time for men to come for preventive examinations to an oncologist after 50 years.
  • Cirrhosis of the liver, polyps in the intestines and mastopathy are the reasons for regular visits to the oncologist.
  • All family members of a cancer patient need to be screened due to genetic predisposition to cancer;
  • Workers in hazardous industries where high levels of known carcinogens (sunlight, dust, gases, radiation) are required to undergo an annual examination by an oncologist.

Examination by an oncologist

Examination by an oncologist
Examination by an oncologist

The main task of the oncologist during the examination is to identify the tumor and study its properties.

A patient who has received a referral to an oncologist must undergo an initial examination, which consists of:

  • Collecting an anamnesis and compiling a list of complaints, on the basis of which the primary symptoms of the disease are compiled;
  • Visual examination with palpation of the organs the patient complains about;
  • Prescribing tests to identify a specific type of tumor.

Among the procedures that are needed to collect information about a tumor, oncologists most often use:

  • Computer and magnetic resonance imaging - layered images of a certain part or the whole body, on which you can see the location, shape and size of the tumor;
  • Ultrasound - helps to detect and assess the size of neoplasms in body cavities;
  • Mammography is a specific procedure for examining the mammary glands;
  • Blood test to detect tumor markers;
  • Cytological examination of cervical smear;
  • Puncture of pathological tissues followed by histological examination.

Recommended: