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 colon cancer, breast disease, spinal cord tumors, melanoma, skin cancer, breast cancer, bone marrow, hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, mesothelioma, sarcoma, lung cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, mesothelioma cancer (asbestos cancer), brain cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and bone cancer.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including colonoscopy, breast reconstruction, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, cryosurgery, mastectomy, cryotherapy, cabg, breast surgery, surgery, radiotherapy, bone marrow transplantation (bmt), adjuvant therapy, monoclonal antibody treatments, external beam radiotherapy, hormone manipulation, and immunotherapies.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including biopsy, mri scanning, beta- hcg, ct scanning, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (mri), computed axial tomography (ct or cat scan), ultrasound, endoscopy, nse, cea, blood tests, ca 125, tumor markers, beta hcg, positron emission tomography, scintigraphy, psa, and alpha fetoprotein.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Arkansas has 66 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Benton is 2, in Bentonville is 6, in Camden is 1, in Conway is 2, in El Dorado is 2, in Fayetteville is 6, in Fort Smith is 8, in Harrison is 1, in Heber Springs is 3, in Hot Springs is 7, in Hot Springs National Park is 4, in Jonesboro is 4, in Little Rock is 29, in Mountain Home is 1, in Newport is 1, in North Little Rock is 5, in Pine Bluff is 3, in Russellville is 2, in Searcy is 3, in Sherwood is 1, in Springdale is 7, and in West Memphis is 1.

Arkansas is home to many lakes and rivers for those interested in fishing and water sports. Cruise up the Arkansas River, fish in the White River of the Ozark Mountains, or drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi River Delta. Tour Arkansas wine country in the Altus area, step inside a log cabin from the 1800s in southern Arkansas, or hike nature trails in Hot Springs National Park. Arkansas’ population is 2,779,154. Little Rock is Arkansas’ capital city, and has numerous restaurants, museums, golfing, and an extensive park system. Visit the monument that marks the initial point for surveys of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Arkansas has a population of 2,779,154. Of this population, 662,920 are under the age of 18 and 381,547 are at or above the age of 65.