Specialists in cancer treatment - who are they?
Cancer - is a complex and insidious disease. Therefore, you may need to refer to several different specialists for the treatment of cancer. Often, assistance is provided by several specialists at once.
What kind of specialists in cancer treatment you need?
There are three basic ways to treat cancer: using drugs (as well as hormonal and immunotherapy), radiation therapy and surgery. Every type of treatment leads a separate specialist. Not every patient will need all three methods of treatment. It depends on the type of cancer and its stage. But despite this there are a number of specialists to whom you may want to contact.
Medical oncologist. This specialist, who will visit you more often. Usually, he oversees the general care and coordinates care with other specialists. The oncologist is responsible for chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. Probably, you will be attending medical oncologist for regular checkups.
Oncologist-radiologist. This specialist treats cancer with radiation therapy. He specializes in interpreting X-rays, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging and other procedures for obtaining an image.
Surgeon-oncologist. This is a surgeon who specializes in treating cancer. Surgeons can make a diagnosis through a biopsy. He also treats cancer by removing the tumors and other cancerous tissue.
Depending on your case, you may need the assistance of other specialists. For example, help a hematologist who specializes in diseases of the blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes. Sometimes surgery is performed the surgeon general practice. You may need a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery after treatment.
What qualities of a specialist in cancer treatment?
Experience. A specialist in cancer treatment should have extensive experience in treating a specific type of cancer diagnosed in you. Ask your doctor how many times he was involved in similar incidents during the entire period of work and over the last year. What experience is enough? It's a complicated question. But you must be sure that your doctor always treats patients with the disease are similar to yours.
Good preparation. "Certification under the doctor's office on the walls are not just for decoration" - Eiji says Terry, head of cancer information at the American Cancer Society, Atlanta, USA. Look at them carefully. Where the physician trained? Ask him or have any other skills or interests. Ask or he has published articles on the treatment of cancer.
The presence of a professional certificate. Doctors who have professional certifications, have been trained in a particular field of medicine and passed an examination that assesses their knowledge and skills. So if your doctor has a professional certificate, for example, medical oncology and surgery, you can be sure that this is a highly qualified expert in this field. At the same time get a professional certificate for each subspecies treatment of cancer is impossible. Therefore, the lack of a professional certificate - not necessarily a bad sign.
Willingness to answer questions. This is one of the most important qualities that should have a specialist in cancer treatment. The physician must be willing to listen to you and answer your questions. Also, make sure you can get in touch with your doctor when you need to talk to him.
How do I find a specialist in cancer treatment?
Typically, a specialist in cancer treatment district sends or family doctor. Many people rely on the advice of doctors and relatives. You can go to the clinic in the community and learn the names of experts in cancer treatment who work there. You can also find specialists in various medical organizations, medical schools and cancer centers.
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