Who are oncologists?
A medical specialist known as an oncologist is responsible for diagnosing and treating cancer patients. These doctors guide patients through their cancer journey, including diagnosis, treatment options, and post-treatment care. It includes the following:
- Confirming the diagnosis
- Explaining the stage of the cancer
- Presenting all the treatment options
- Discussing the benefits and disadvantages of each option
- Determining the best course of treatment
- Overseeing the treatment plan throughout the illness
- Monitoring the patient during the treatment
- Helping them manage any symptoms and side effects
Besides cancer, oncologists may also be certified to practice hematology and treat blood disorders such as:
- Anemia: a condition resulting from a shortage of red blood cells.
- Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder impacting blood circulation.
- Thrombosis: a disease in which blood clots block blood vessels.
Additionally, oncologists often work as part of a team that includes other specialists to provide the best treatment plan for a patient.
What kind of education and training do oncologists receive?
Oncologists are licensed medical professionals who need first to complete an undergraduate degree in the sciences followed by a medical degree to become a practicing doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). Since oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine, oncologists must finish a three-year residency program in internal medicine after completing medical school. Doctors then complete an additional two-year fellowship program in oncology. Some may complete a dual certification in hematology and oncology, which typically requires three years of postgraduate training. Some oncologists choose to specialize in a specific type of cancer, including leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer. After completing their mandatory fellowship training in oncology, individuals are eligible for certification in oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Oncologists or Internal medicine doctors who practice oncology usually assist general internal medicine doctors as well as other physicians in identifying patients who are at risk for malignancy. They also investigate clinical symptoms and syndromes that are indicative of underlying cancer. For patients with diagnosed neoplasms, they establish treatment for patients with solid and hematologic tumors or try to prolong life or palliate symptoms. Besides practicing in group settings and providing consultations to general physicians and medical institutions, oncologists often contribute to academics and participate in clinical research. They may teach and train resident doctors or medical school candidates.
What are the various types of oncologists?
Based on their treatment specialty and education, here are some of the different types of oncologists:
- Medical oncologists use chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, biological therapies, and other targeted treatments to treat cancer. They frequently serve as the primary cancer doctor, assisting patients in managing side effects and monitoring their overall well-being. They also commonly offer follow-up care after completing treatment.
- Radiation oncologists use high-energy photon beams to target and destroy cancer cells. Approximately 50% of cancer patients will undergo radiation therapy as a component of their treatment. Some cancers respond better to small "seeds" of irradiated material implanted in a specific area, while others respond better to highly targeted beams of radiation called "radiosurgery."
- Surgical oncologists may perform biopsies and remove tumors and surrounding tissue if cancer cells are present. A surgical oncologist could be the first doctor you see if your primary care doctor suspects any cancer symptoms. The number of visits to a surgical oncologist depends on the removal of the cancer tumor and surrounding tissues. The surgeon is also responsible for monitoring your recovery from surgical procedures during cancer treatment.
- Pediatric oncologists are specialists in identifying and managing cancer in children. They treat around 175,000 children under the age of 15 diagnosed with cancer each year globally. In the United States, the majority of children diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment can expect to survive about 80%. Some pediatric oncologists specialize in treating specific types of cancer, while others focus on researching childhood cancers. Additionally, educating families about cancer treatment for their children is a crucial aspect of the work of most pediatric oncologists.
- Gynecologic oncologists treat cancer types affecting women, including ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. They also typically manage complicated non-cancerous gynecological conditions like endometriosis and fibroid tumors. Like other cancer specialists, gynecologic oncologists receive extensive training focusing on cancers affecting women.
- Hematologist-oncologists are medical professionals who specialize in treating blood-related cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. They receive specialized training to handle conditions like sickle cell anemia and hemophilia, both of which are distinct from cancer-related disorders.
What to expect during your first oncologist visit?
Your first appointment with an oncologist near you may take up to two to three hours as they will need to collect information about your health. You should be prepared for various emotions such as anxiety, anger, sadness, or a numb sense of shock if you discover you have cancer.
The oncologist may also conduct a physical examination, even if you have recently had one with your primary care doctor. The doctor might also order further testing, such as blood work or imaging.
You may also meet with other members of your cancer care team, such as healthcare professionals or insurance specialists, to discuss treatment costs. Your oncologist may also provide an early prognosis about the expected recovery time.
You can expect to have many questions leading up to an appointment with your doctor, but the stress of a cancer diagnosis may cause you to forget those questions during the appointment. You can jot down your questions in a notebook or Notes app on your phone in the days leading up to the meeting. This method ensures you gather all the necessary information to make well-informed decisions.
How do oncologists diagnose cancer?
Oncologists may use a wide variety of diagnostic tools to diagnose cancer. These may include lab tests, imaging studies, and invasive or non-invasive diagnostic tests. The various cancer diagnoses can be as follows:
- The oncologist can conduct a physical examination to check for unusual lumps, masses, and lesions that may indicate cancer. Your oncologist may also examine your skin for signs like changes in color or moles in shape and size that could indicate melanoma (skin cancer).
- Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and nuclear medicine imaging (for example, positron emission tomography (PET)) use radioactive tracers to detect changes in metabolism that may occur due to undiagnosed cancer.
- Doctors may perform a biopsy or remove tissue or fluid samples from the body for microscopic evaluation to diagnose cancer. They can obtain biopsy samples using fine-needle aspiration (FNA), surgery, core needle biopsy, or cone biopsy.
- To diagnose leukemia and lymphoma from a blood or bone marrow sample, oncologists may use "flow cytometry," which evaluates cells suspended in fluid.
- Specific tumor marker tests, such as prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), are blood tests that evaluate levels of a substance in the blood. Elevated levels of these substances could help oncologists in diagnosing cancer.
What are some common cancer treatment options?
There are several types of established cancer treatment options, as well as ongoing clinical trials (research studies involving patients) on new and advancing cancer therapies, including medicines and surgical methods. A patient's specific treatment plan depends on factors like the type of cancer, its progression, whether it is at an advanced stage or earlier stage, the goals of the treatment, and the number of treatment options available. Some may have one type of treatment, while others may have a combination of surgery with radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy.
The primary treatment of cancer involves killing or removing all cancer cells from your body. The most common method for this is surgery. Primary treatment is followed by adjuvant therapies such as hormone therapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Oncologists generally recommend the following methods of treating cancer:
- Chemotherapy: This method either destroys rapidly dividing cancerous cells or alleviates cancer symptoms by shrinking tumors and addressing other painful issues. It may be administered in the form of oral medication or topical medicine or through an injection given intravenously, via an artery, and directly into the muscle, thigh, or belly. While chemotherapy is effective, it can also cause side effects. This is because treatment also stops or slows the growth of healthy cells that grow quickly. Examples include cells in the intestine and mouth and cells that promote hair growth. This leads to side effects like nausea, hair loss, and mouth sores.
- Surgery: The type of cancer surgery a patient will undergo depends on the size of the tissue that has to be removed, the area of the body, and patient preference. Surgical options are best for tumors localized in a particular part of the body. Surgery is typically not considered for cancers like leukemia or those that have spread to other parts of the body. Some surgeries performed without making cuts with scalpels include- cryosurgery, lasers, hyperthermia, and photodynamic therapy.
- Radiation therapy: This method utilizes high doses of radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells in order to stop them from dividing. Radiation may also be used to shrink a tumor. This method does not immediately stop or kill cancer cells. It may take several days or even weeks for a cancer cell's DNA to become damaged or die. This treatment can cure a cancerous condition, prevent it from returning, or slow its growth. Internal radiation therapy puts radiation in the form of solid or liquid inside the body near or in the tumor site. Brachytherapy (a type of internal radiation therapy given through a solid source) is used to treat cancers of the eye, breast, prostate, head and neck, and cervix.
- Stem cell transplant: This method is typically used to treat those affected by cancers of the blood, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes. They may also be used for returning brain tumors, neuroblastoma, germ cell tumors, and testicular cancer. This treatment restores blood stem cells in people whose cells have been destroyed by high doses of radiation or chemo. An individual receiving a stem cell transplant will get healthy blood-forming stem cells through a needle inserted in the vein. Like with other cancer treatments, stem cell transplant also has side effects like fatigue, loss of appetite, and skin reactions. Long-term side effects may also include infertility, bone and muscle weakness, and liver, kidney, or heart damage.
Find the best oncologists near you in Los Angeles, California
Are you looking for the best oncologists in Los Angeles, California? Your first stop should be Zocdoc! Zocdoc acts like a search engine to recommend the best oncologists in and around your area. Zocdoc is a user-friendly, secure, and free platform that provides lists of the best doctors in your area. You can filter your search results based on specialty, location, appointment availability, zip code, and insurance carrier.
To find an in-network oncologist, you can manually select your insurance carrier and plan on the Zocdoc website or app. If you are unable to find your specific insurance plan, you may upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan the image of your card and show you a plan that best matches your card. Note that this service is only available for medical insurance cards. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need assistance uploading your medical insurance card or have any other query, reach out to Zocdoc's service team, available 365 days a year via chat or email. You may also go through Zocdoc's patient help center for more details on insurance.
Once you have shortlisted an oncologist near you, view their detailed profile, including their qualifications, expertise, years of experience, and additional certifications. It allows you to choose a doctor who best meets your needs.
Zocdoc prioritizes credibility in healthcare by actively seeking reviews from verified patients. It ensures you can access recent and genuine patient feedback, empowering you to make well-informed decisions when choosing a healthcare provider on the platform.
All appointments booked on Zocdoc are entirely safe, secure, and free!
Oncologist and cancer statistics in Los Angeles, California
According to the Cancer Statistics Center, as of 2024, there are projected to be about 193,880 cancer patients in California and approximately 59,930 cancer-related deaths. The death rate from 2017-2021 was around 133.50 per 100,000 people in the state.
The American Medical Association reported that, as of 2020, there were approximately 17,000 oncologists in the United States. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, cancer is the second-highest cause of death in the United States.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Healthline
WebMD
American Cancer Society
Cancer Statistics Center
Everyday Health
Verywell Health
American College of Physicians
Cleveland Clinic[2]
National Cancer Institute[1]
National Cancer Institute[2]
National Cancer Institute[3]
National Cancer Institute[4]
National Cancer Institute[5]
National Cancer Institute[6]
Mayo Clinic
