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. Delaware has 30 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Dover is 3, in Georgetown is 1, in Lewes is 2, in Middletown is 2, in Milford is 3, in Newark is 20, in Seaford is 2, and in Wilmington is 8.

Delaware, located on the Atlantic Ocean, was the first state to ratify the constitution of the United States in 1787. Delaware’s population is 843,524, and its capital city is Dover. In Wilmington, visit the Grand Opera House or the Old Town Hall Museum built in 1798, or the Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford. Drive to the Atlantic shore, or go bird-watching, fishing, hiking, biking, or canoeing in Delaware’s extensive park and trail systems. Dover is home to parks, historic museums, clubs, theater and dance, and offers bargain-hunting at tax-free outlet stores and antiques shops.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Delaware has a population of 843,524. Of this population, 189,940 are under the age of 18 and 111,761 are at or above the age of 65.