In the world there are a huge number of diseases, each of which is treated by an appropriate doctor. Now it’s difficult to understand the narrow medical specialization, because in addition to concepts such as “dentist”, “gynecologist”, “optometrist”, most people have no idea what this or that doctor is doing, for example, many have a question about who the oncologist is and what is his medical activity, what diseases he can cure.
Oncology as one of the medical areas
“What is an oncologist doing?” - you ask. The work of such a doctor is to diagnose and treat tumors of any kind and at any stages of development. In other words, the oncologist is a specialist in the field of precancerous and cancerous conditions.
In addition to doctors who directly receive patients, there are doctors who research oncology as a science. These people are studying the causes and mechanisms that cause tumors, both benign and malignant. In addition, the practice of scientific doctors includes the development of various methods and tactics of treatment, as well as the development of ways to prevent such diseases.
Malignant and benign tumors - what is it?
If you want to know who an oncologist is, then when answering this question you must first learn about malignant and benign tumors, because these are the immediate objects of treatment for this specialist.
- Malignant tumors are characterized by active development, and along with that, rapid damage to nearby organs and tissues. This type of tumor is dangerous not only by its rapid development, but also by the creation of barriers to the functioning of vital organs, which, as a result, gives rise to unbearable pain, and later death.
- Unlike the aforementioned species, benign tumors do not have the ability to develop and affect nearby organs. Despite this, it is necessary to establish careful monitoring of cancer cells, because they have the ability to degenerate and begin active reproduction.
An oncologist is received in any city, and since the diagnosis of the body does not take so much time, do not delay the visit to the doctor.
Directions of Oncology
If you ask what diseases an oncologist deals with, when answering you need to clarify the many areas of oncology and specialists who are practicing in a particular industry:
- Mammologist is a female doctor who is engaged in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention of diseases of the mammary glands.
- Oncodermatologist - based on the name, it is not difficult to guess that a specialist in this profile is engaged in the treatment of skin tumors.
- A thoracic oncologist belongs to the surgical profile and is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of several human organs: a tumor of the trachea, esophagus, diaphragm, stomach, lungs and so on. As practice shows, most often a thoracic oncologist is involved in the treatment of lung cancer.
- Oncogynecologist - the reproductive system organs are a specialized area of ​​treatment for this specialist.
- Oncologist-coloproctologist - is involved in treatment if the tumor was diagnosed in the anus or in one of the sections of the colon.
- Oncologist-gastroenterologist - deals with the treatment of cancerous tumors that develop either near or on the digestive organs.
The list of diseases treated by an oncologist
The best oncologists in the country most often face the following types of diseases:
- leukemia;
- skin melanoma;
- lymphogranulomatosis;
- myeloma;
- uterine fibroids;
- neuroendocrine tumors and so on.
The list of diseases is not exhaustive. A pediatric oncologist is also involved in the above types of diseases, which diagnoses cancer in young children.
When it's time to go to the oncologist
As a rule, an oncologist is referred by other specialists who have suspicions of the presence of a particular type of tumor. The following circumstances may contribute to the profile direction:
- Cracks and ulcers in the skin, lips, uterus that do not heal for a long time, despite their long-term treatment.
- Abundant mucus, pus are a signal of cancerous tumors in the event that there are no other reasons for their appearance.
- Change in color of age spots, the appearance of a red arc around them, an increase in size, as well as other changes (they began to itch).
- Swallowing food is accompanied by pain, over time it becomes more difficult.
- The presence of paroxysmal cough for no apparent reason.
- Constipation, diarrhea, other digestive disorders of the stomach in the absence of causes.
- Regular fever for no reason.
- Rapid weight loss of more than 15 percent of total body weight in a few months.
- Prolonged pain in the bones, in the spine without any reason contributing to this (strokes).
- Education of unknown origin in the chest, mammary glands.
The procedure for admission by an oncologist
“Who is an oncologist and how is the first appointment?” - the main question of those whom the profile doctor sent to the diagnostic center.
At the first visit, you definitely need to bring an outpatient card with all the medical history, results of the examination, as well as the opinion of the doctor who issued the referral for the diagnosis of cancer. An oncologist is necessarily interested in the presence of diseases along the hereditary line, so before taking it, it is better to study the family tree and the history of serious diseases of this type in blood relatives.
After a short interview, the doctor prescribes all the necessary diagnostic measures to determine the size of the tumor, its degree of spread, location and localization features. Upon receipt of the test results, the oncologist develops and prescribes a course of treatment.
Types of examinations prescribed by a doctor
As a rule, a doctor, including a pediatric oncologist, prescribes the following types of examination:
- X-ray
- blood analysis;
- Ultrasound of internal organs ;
- computed tomography;
- MRI
- analysis of tumor markers;
- biopsy
- cytological examination ;
- puncture.
To whom and when to undergo a routine examination
Having received the answer to the question of who the oncologist is, are you surely interested in learning about who and when to be examined by this specialist? It is important to note that a visit to an oncologist is necessary not only in case of detection of a cancer or pain of unknown origin, but also as a preventive measure. The sooner the doctor conducts an examination, the higher the probability of getting rid of possible diseases. Appearing to a specialist is immediately necessary in the following cases:
- Persons over 45 years of age. Especially this item applies to women who have not given birth after 40 years - these categories of people need to undergo a routine examination at least 1 time per year.
- If such serious diagnoses as cirrhosis of the liver, mastopathy, intestinal polyposis are made.
- The presence of cancer along a related line.
- It is important to regularly see a specialist if you underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in order to prevent and monitor cell development.
- Work in production with a high level of pollution: dust, gas, radiation, and so on.
- Smoking and frequent visits to the solarium are also reasons for visiting an oncologist.
If one of the above items appeared in your life, you should immediately take a referral from a therapist and go to the oncology center for diagnosis.
If your dream is to become an oncologist
A difficult medical profession is an oncologist. Reviews about such specialists are very diverse: from confidentially positive to negatively negative. If you decide to devote your life to treating seriously ill people, you must remember the huge responsibility that lies on the shoulders of each specialist.
Oncology is rightfully considered to be one of the most complex medical specialties requiring a doctor not only the lion's share of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, but also a high level of concentration, attentiveness, responsibility, determination. In addition, the main oncologist, in addition to the above, has such qualities as compassion, a good memory and the desire to help people.
Each qualified specialist must necessarily monitor their health, because loss of hearing or vision leads to further disability of the oncologist.
The qualification of a specialist in this medical field rises throughout the entire therapeutic activity. This means that a good doctor should have not only a medical education, but also high-quality postgraduate training. As a rule, oncologists study about 3 years in residency after receiving a general higher education.
In any case, whatever the path to the dream, diligence, patience, work, diligence, as well as work on one’s own qualities will bring one closer to the cherished goal, namely the healing of people who so need help and salvation from a terrifying disease.