Medical vs. Surgical Oncologist: What’s the Difference and Who Should You Consult?

What is an oncologist?

An oncologist is a cancer specialist who specializes in diagnosing, staging, and treating cancer. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you need to consult with an oncologist to know more about your specific cancer, its type and stage, along with the location of the cancer and extent of growth in your body. 

What does an oncologist do?

Here are some of the diagnosis and treatment activities of an oncologist:

• Perform cancer screening tests to diagnose cancer.
• Provide a second opinion on your previous diagnosis.
• Identifying the best treatment option for their patient
• Explain treatment side effects and benefits to patients.
• Oversee patient’s cancer treatment
• Manage post-treatment care.

Types of Oncologists?

People diagnosed with cancer have to consult multiple oncologists on their cancer care team. Each specialist has to focus on different areas of your cancer treatment with a common goal. 

There are certain oncologists who specialise in certain treatments.

Surgical oncologists:

Surgical oncologists are surgeons who will perform surgery to remove tumors or cancer that hasn’t spread to other organs. Surgical oncologists also remove the surrounding tissues to prevent the recurrence of cancer in patients.

Medical oncologists:

Medical oncologists use treatments such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and other targeted treatments to treat cancer.

Radiation oncologists:

These radiation oncologists are also cancer specialists. They use radiation therapy to treat cancer in their patients. Radiation is often used to shrink or destroy tumors or cancer cells to kill remaining cancer cells after the surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy alone or combined treatments are given to treat cancer.

Other oncologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating different types of cancer:

Hemato-oncologist:

Hemato-oncologists are specialised in both hematology and oncology, an hematologist trained in treating and diagnosing blood related diseases and cancers.

Pediatric oncologists:

These oncologists provide treatments for cancer in children, such as childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Ewing sarcoma, and childhood brain tumors.

Neuro-oncologists:

These specialists treat patients who have brain cancer and cancer that affects the nervous system.

What is a surgical oncologist?

A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats cancer by performing surgery to remove cancer or a tumor that hasn’t spread to other body parts yet. Surgery is the common treatment performed by the surgical oncologist for the treatment of cancer. Surgeries are often performed when your biopsy shows any cancer cells, and they remove your tumor along with surrounding tissues to prevent cancer recurrence in your body again.

If you are tired of searching for the best surgical oncologist in Delhi, then visit Oncare Cancer Center. Book an appointment today, and get started with your cancer treatment now.

What types of surgeries do surgical oncologists perform?

There are two types of surgeries a surgical oncologist performs. 

1. Minimally invasive surgery:

In this procedure, the surgical oncologist might make several small incisions (cuts); they use a specialized tool to remove cancerous tissue. 

2. Open surgery:

In this procedure, the oncologist might make a large cut, also known as an incision, to remove the cancerous tumor from the body.

When to consult a medical oncologist vs. a surgical oncologist?

You need to visit a medical oncologist or a surgical oncologist when your general physician guides you to consult an expert based on your condition.

Medical Oncologist:

You should consult a medical oncologist when you require medication-based treatments or therapy, such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or immunotherapy. This consultation helps in managing these treatments along with deciding your long-term treatment goals. 

Surgical Oncologist:

You should consult a surgical oncologist when you require a biopsy or surgical removal of a tumor or you are considering surgical treatment options for your treatments.

Consult Today

Both medical oncologists and surgical oncologists are an essential part of your cancer treatment. While one specializes in medication-based treatment and systemic therapies, the other focuses on surgical interventions in patients. Understanding the significance and roles of both surgical and medical oncologists in cancer treatment and the difference in their treatment approaches helps to empower cancer patients and families to discover more about the treatment with clarity and acceptance.

Oncare Cancer Center is one of the best cancer hospitals in Delhi. If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, consult both specialists at Oncare and get a high-quality treatment at an affordable treatment package that combines the expertise of both these specialists.

Visit Oncare Cancer Center's website and book an appointment today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments. Trust OnCare; we are the best cancer hospital in India. We have the best medical oncologists in India. Don't wait; call us today!