Oncology is the study and treatment of cancer and tumors. An oncologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats cancer patients. The oncologist sometimes uses chemotherapy, and consults with other physicians to coordinate other methods of cancer treatments for a patient. Cancer patients need to take in to account the likelihood of a cure, or of prolonging life when cure is not possible, the effect of treatment on their symptoms, and the side effects of the treatment. People who are candidates for radiation therapy or anti-cancer drugs need to understand the risks involved with treatment. An oncologist can help to counsel a patient on treatment options and what to expect.
Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are breast disease, Hodgkin's disease, colon cancer, Bone Marrow, Melanoma, breast cancer, Spinal Cord Tumors, Skin Cancer, Leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, Cervical cancer, Mesothelioma, Pancreatic cancer, Sarcoma, Oral cancer, Renal cell carcinoma, Thyroid cancer, Liver cancer, and bone cancer.
Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including breast surgery, Cryotherapy, Brachytherapy, breast reconstruction, CABG, Colonoscopy, cryosurgery, mastectomy, Chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, adjuvant therapy, Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), immunotherapies, External Beam Radiotherapy, monoclonal antibody treatments, and Hormone manipulation.
To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including biopsy, CT scanning, Beta- HCG, MRI scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-rays, ultrasound, Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), CEA, endoscopy, NSE, Blood tests, CA 125, Tumor markers, Positron emission tomography, Scintigraphy, Beta HCG, PSA, and Alpha fetoprotein.
Doctor density varies by specialty and location. The United States has 10,767 practicing oncologists. Broken out by state, oncology doctor density in Alabama is 118, in Alaska is 5, in Arizona is 160, in Arkansas is 65, in California is 1,137, in Colorado is 139, in Connecticut is 177, in Delaware is 24, in District of Columbia is 48, in Florida is 648, in Georgia is 218, in Hawaii is 29, in Idaho is 25, in Illinois is 414, in Indiana is 205, in Iowa is 71, in Kansas is 73, in Kentucky is 111, in Louisiana is 116, in Maine is 48, in Maryland is 353, in Massachusetts is 597, in Michigan is 315, in Minnesota is 258, in Mississippi is 59, in Missouri is 234, in Montana is 27, in Nebraska is 48, in Nevada is 60, in New Hampshire is 107, in New Jersey is 314, in New Mexico is 70, in New York is 1,094, in North Carolina is 312, in North Dakota is 30, in Ohio is 405, in Oklahoma is 86, in Oregon is 165, in Pennsylvania is 675, in Rhode Island is 46, in South Carolina is 111, in South Dakota is 12, in Tennessee is 213, in Texas is 765, in Utah is 51, in Vermont is 24, in Virginia is 231, in Washington is 259, in West Virginia is 52, in Wisconsin is 184, and in Wyoming is 9.
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