2007-01-31 10:01:11 · 14 answers · asked by Lady T 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
You've gotten a lot of BAD ANSWERS!
The only one who is pretty much on target is "christigmc".
Oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. In the United States, doctors (graduates of a 4 year medical school - earning the MD or DO degree) who train for 3 years in an accredited internal medicine residency program are eligible to apply for fellowships (advanced training) in the field of "Hematology/Oncology". After obtaining that additional training, they are eligible to become board certified in BOTH "internal medicine" and "hematology/oncology".
Oncologists manage the overall care of patients with cancer diagnoses. This includes, but is not limited to, the administration of chemotherapy (anti-cancer medication). Medical oncologists interact with radiation oncologists (another subspecialty) to provide both chemotherapy and radiation therapy in some cases. Medical oncologists interact with surgeons as well, in many cases.
General surgeons are doctors who train for a minimum of 5 years after earning their medical degree, and are then eligible to become board certified in "General Surgery". Graduates of general surgery residency programs can choose to pursue additional training in the field of "Surgical Oncology" which is typically an additional 3 years of training. Graduates of accredited surgical oncology fellowships are eligible to become board certified in both general surgery and surgical oncology.
Any general surgeon can be involved in the appropriate surgical management of cancer. We do cancer operations all the time. A board certified surgical oncologist is typically a surgeon who has additional expertise for handling more difficult cases. Large tumors that involve massive surgery are best served by being cared for by surgeons who do this more frequently. Sometimes general surgeons without specific additional training have this kind of experience, but often it is very helpful to have the additional training. Surgical oncologists are frequently involved in not only patient care, but scientific study aimed at improving the way that we approach these devastating diseases.
When most people use the word "oncologist" they refer to the medical specialist who manages the administration of chemotherapy. Although surgeons are intimately involved in the care of cancer patients, and some specialize not only in the care of these patients but in the scientific advancement of this field, these doctors are most commonly referred to as "surgical oncologists" in order to differentiate the role.
I hope that answers your question!
2007-01-31 15:18:18 · answer #1 · answered by bellydoc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Oncologist are the ones that decide the treatment like chemo, radiation, surgery etc. I worked in the lab of a cancer surgeon. Although that's his specialty, cancer surgeons are acutlaly trained in the field of general surgery.
2007-01-31 18:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by christigmc 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not necessarily. An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
2007-01-31 18:26:49 · answer #3 · answered by elk312 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oncologists that i know are all surgeon's because they have to know what they are doing, and to take out where the cancer must be taken out.
2007-01-31 18:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by pachelbelliz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An oncologist treats cancer patients. Some of them are surgeons.
2007-01-31 18:04:23 · answer #5 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, unless he is a surgical oncologist. But in general, oncologists are not surgeons.
2007-01-31 19:35:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
an oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer.....they can also be surgeons.
2007-01-31 18:16:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
An oncologist is board-certified in oncology, cancer treatment, and is familiar with all treatments for cancer. Many of them are also certified in hematology, blood diseases, to better practice in blood-related cancers.
Some oncologists are also certified in surgery, to better excise cancers with "clean" margins (a margin of area in which no trace of cancer cells remain).
Some oncologists work in tandem with surgeons.
If you are concerned, you can contact your state's medical board to verify whether your oncologist is so board-certified. They will inform you.
2007-01-31 18:08:56 · answer #8 · answered by CYP450 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An Oncologist is a doctor who specializes in cancer. They may or may not do surgery.
2007-01-31 18:04:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
an oncologist can be a surgeon but not necessarily
2007-01-31 18:06:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋