| Oncology is the study of tumors and cancers. A | | | | combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. |
| radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in | | | | The oncologist selects the most effective treatment |
| the treatment of cancer using radiation therapy | | | | form for each individual patient to destroy cancer |
| methods and the study of controlling cancer. | | | | cells while sparing the surrounding normal cells. The |
| Radiation prevents the cancerous cells from | | | | treatments itself are not painful, but the patient may |
| reproducing and can also be used to relieve pain from | | | | experience side effects such as nausea, hair loss, skin |
| a tumor by shrinking it. | | | | rashes and more. Approximately half of all cancer |
| A radiation oncologist has many responsibilities and | | | | patients will need some form of radiotherapy during |
| duties and helps cancer patients destroy cancer cells, | | | | their illness. For those with incurable cancers, |
| relieve pain of tumors and in some cases helps to | | | | treatment may be used to help patients deal with |
| completely rid the cancer with the use of x-rays, | | | | pain and symptoms, this is called palliative care. For |
| electrons and/or gamma rays. A radiation oncologist | | | | example if a patient has a tumor that is pressing on |
| heads the treatment team which mostly consists of | | | | their trachea, palliative care may be used to relieve |
| the radiation oncologist, medical physicist, dosimetrist | | | | pressure so they can breathe easier. The oncologist |
| and radiation therapist and works with other | | | | normally will see the patient approximately once a |
| physicians such as radiation oncology nurses and | | | | week to talk with them about the treatment, how |
| technicians, pathologists, and surgeons. Becoming a | | | | they are feeling and if they are experiencing side |
| radiation oncologist is a long educational journey; it's | | | | effects, and will also set up follow up visits when |
| actually more of a lifelong learning experience. Most | | | | treatment is complete. The oncologist must possess |
| will start with a Bachelor of Science and then have to | | | | good communication skills to converse with the |
| get accepted into and complete four years of | | | | patient and sometimes their family. |
| medical school. Next he/she will have to complete a | | | | In conclusion, there many responsibilities and duties of |
| year or more of internship and then a four year | | | | a radiation oncologist. Some duties are designing a |
| residency. | | | | specific treatment plan for each patient and ensuring |
| The radiation oncologist will design a cancer | | | | it is precisely carried out by the team. They must |
| treatment plan specific to the patient, and ensure | | | | possess good communication skills to discuss the |
| that the plan is precisely carried out by the | | | | treatment with patient and sometimes their family. |
| treatment team. Most patients, who visit a radiation | | | | Discussions will be held before treatment starts, while |
| oncologist, have usually already had a biopsy or | | | | it is being carried out and in follow up visits afterward. |
| surgery. The oncologist will often spend about an | | | | Radiation oncologists have a very rewarding job and |
| hour or more with the patient discussing the problem | | | | get a great feeling of importance and |
| and what the plan of therapy will be. | | | | accomplishment from helping cancer patients. Also |
| There are many different kinds of radiation | | | | they get the choice of being able to work in a |
| treatment techniques. The types mostly used are | | | | laboratory, hospital, or a private practice and being |
| external beam radiation, 3-D treatment planning, | | | | able to teach or do research at a university. |
| IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy and a | | | | |