Medical oncology is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating cancer using drug-based therapies. The medical oncologist is typically the primary doctor who manages a cancer patient's overall treatment plan and care.
Unlike surgical oncologists who remove tumors and radiation oncologists who use radiation, medical oncologists specialize in systemic therapies, which use medications to target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

Treatments used in medical oncology

Medical oncologists have expertise in a range of systemic treatments, which are often used in combination with each other or with other treatments like surgery or radiation therapy:
* Chemotherapy: The use of powerful drugs to kill or slow the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells. It can be given before surgery to shrink a tumor (neoadjuvant), after surgery to destroy any remaining cells (adjuvant), or as the main treatment.
* Targeted therapy: A more precise form of treatment that uses drugs to target specific genes or proteins that contribute to cancer growth. This therapy can cause fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
* Immunotherapy: A treatment that stimulates the body's own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
* Hormonal therapy: A treatment used for specific cancers that are sensitive to hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer. It works by blocking or altering the hormones that fuel the cancer's growth.
* CAR T-cell therapy: A specialized and advanced therapy where a patient's immune cells are genetically modified in a lab to better fight cancer. It is primarily used for blood cancers and is being explored for solid tumors.

The role of a medical oncologist

A medical oncologist's responsibilities extend across the entire cancer journey, including:
* Diagnosis and staging: Interpreting diagnostic tests like biopsies, blood work, and imaging studies to understand the exact type and extent of the cancer.
* Treatment planning: Working with a multidisciplinary team—which can include surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other specialists—to develop a personalized treatment strategy.
* Treatment administration: Prescribing and overseeing the course of drug-based therapies, adjusting the plan as needed based on the patient's response and tolerance.
* Side-effect management: Helping patients manage and cope with the symptoms of both the cancer and its treatment, such as nausea, pain, or fatigue.
* Supportive and palliative care: Providing support for a patient's overall well-being and, for advanced cancer, offering palliative care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
* Follow-up care: Monitoring patients long-term for any signs of cancer recurrence after treatment is completed