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. Kansas has 88 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Atchison is 3, in Baldwin City is 1, in Chanute is 3, in Coffeyville is 1, in Dodge City is 2, in Emporia is 1, in Eudora is 1, in Garden City is 2, in Goodland is 1, in Great Bend is 3, in Hays is 3, in Hutchinson is 3, in Junction City is 1, in Kansas City is 23, in Kingman is 1, in Lawrence is 6, in Leavenworth is 1, in Liberal is 1, in Manhattan is 1, in Mcpherson is 1, in Newton is 4, in Olathe is 4, in Overland Park is 26, in Parsons is 1, in Pittsburg is 3, in Pittsburgh is 1, in Salina is 3, in Shawnee is 12, in Shawnee Mission is 3, in Tonganoxie is 1, in Topeka is 9, in Wellington is 1, in Westwood is 13, in Wichita is 10, and in Winfield is 2.

Kansas was admitted to the United States in 1861. Topeka is its capital city, and the population of Kansas is 2,744,687. Topeka offers sports and recreation, arts and cultural entertainment, and casinos to residents and visitors. Lucas claims to be the Folk Art center of the United States. Visit the Pony Express National Historic Trail, tour historic Fort Leavenworth, or see the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchinson. Kansas is also home to the John Brown Museum, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad in the mid-1800s.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Kansas has a population of 2,744,687. Of this population, 652,270 are under the age of 18 and 354,995 are at or above the age of 65.