Oncologist
Radiation Oncologists
Specialists:
If you have cancer, you will most likely see a doctor who specializes in radiation oncology. This area of medicine uses “radiation therapy” as a treatment – this focuses high-energy waves on your body to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is a very common and effective treatment for cancer, so you will be in good hands with a specialist!
Why do you need to see them?
Radiation oncologists treat many different kinds of cancer. If you’ve been diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you’ll likely need to see a radiation oncologist:
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Bone cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colon cancer
- Paranasal sinus cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcomas
- Head and neck cancers
- Leukemia
Radiation oncologists also treat conditions other than cancer, including:
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Acoustic neuroma
- Brain tumours
- Spinal cord tumours
- Trigeminal neuralgia
What do they do?
Many doctors and health experts are part of a cancer care team. For radiation therapy, your main doctor is a radiation oncologist. They specialize in radiation oncology and lead a group of medical professionals that can include:
Radiation therapy nurse. A registered nurse can help educate you about treatment. They can also help you manage side effects.
Radiation therapist. A person trained to work the devices that give radiation therapy.
Dosimetrist. Someone who arranges the right dose of radiation therapy for you.
Medical physicist: A person who uses their physics knowledge for radiation treatments, devices, and technology. They may help plan your radiation therapy and make sure the equipment is safe and works right.
Physician consultation is a good opportunity and you should be prepared for it.
- Carry all necessary medical records for the discussion. It helps in better understanding your heart condition and avoids repetition of diagnostic tests.
- Make sure you discuss your past medical history, surgical history, family history, and medications that you are taking.
- Discuss about your lifestyle habits, dietary habits and also about your profession. Your lifestyle and nature of job may be associated with the risk for cardiac diseases.