Various Cancer Specialists or Oncologists

Oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating and treating diseases caused by cancer. This disease has a high mortality rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015 alone 8.8 million people died from cancer. Many cancers occur in developing countries, including Indonesia. So it is natural that this deadly disease receives special attention in the medical world. Many factors that trigger a person suffering from cancer, for example unhealthy lifestyles, environmental factors, to genetic (genetic) factors. In Indonesia alone, the number of cancer patients continues to grow each year.

Field of Work Oncology

Oncology is a field of medicine that specializes in treating and preventing cancer. Meanwhile, doctors who specialize in the field of oncology are called oncologists. Clinically, the field of oncology can be divided into three main areas, namely:

• Surgical oncologist

The field of surgical oncology focuses on managing cancer by surgery, such as removal of tumor tissue and biopsy.

• Oncology-hematology

The field of oncology-hematology focuses on the treatment of blood cancers, such as lifoma, myeloma, and leukemia.

• Radiation oncology

The field of radiation oncology focuses on treating cancer by methods of radiation therapy or radiotherapy.

In addition to providing treatment, cancer specialists are also responsible for providing medical treatment recommendations tailored to the needs of patients, evaluating the results of treatment, and treating the patient's condition after treatment. If cancer patients require special treatment, the oncologist will work with several doctors from other fields to assist the treatment process.

Diseases Treated by Oncologists

Oncologists specialize in the treatment and treatment of cancer. Various common cancers are handled by oncologists, including:

• Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in many women. Usually women who suffer from breast cancer have typical symptoms, in the form of a lump in the breast, pain in the nipple, nipple is pulled in, fluid comes out of the breast, and changes in skin color in the breast.

• Lung cancer

Lung cancer often affects active and passive smokers. Generally, lung cancer sufferers have symptoms in the form of a cough that does not heal, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, voice turned hoarse, and pain in the chest.

• Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the large intestine. Most cases of this type of cancer begin with a lump (polyp) in the large intestine which eventually turns into cancer. Symptoms that are often experienced by cancer sufferers include diarrhea, constipation, blood in the stool, often feeling nauseated and bloated, to weight loss for no apparent reason.

• Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is also one type of cancer that affects many women. Women who suffer from ovarian cancer sometimes do not show specific symptoms. However, this condition can be suspected from the presence of symptoms such as swelling of the stomach, abdominal bloating often, and pain when having sex.

• Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that attacks the production and function of white blood cells. A person who has this type of cancer has symptoms of fatigue, sweating a lot at night, often experiencing bleeding or bruising for no apparent reason, joint pain, and swelling in the lymph nodes.

• Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is very dangerous, but rarely occurs. Symptoms of this cancer are often marked by the appearance of new moles or changes in the shape of the old moles.

You can consult various types of cancer to cancer specialists about the latest treatments and actions in treating cancer or controlling symptoms.

Medical Actions Can Be Done Oncologists

In general, some malignant tumors or cancer do not have typical symptoms, and even symptoms that appear are very similar to other health problems. So it is important for an oncologist to know the patient's complete medical history. To help confirm this, the oncologist will conduct a physical examination and examination of supporting samples, such as CT scan, ultrasound, MRI, PET scan, X-ray, blood test, endoscopy, and biopsy. After being positively diagnosed with cancer, the oncologist will provide medical treatment according to the patient's needs. Medical actions that can be performed by oncology specialists include:

• Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is done by injecting various drugs into the body to destroy cancer cells and prevent the growth of cancer cells again.

• Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a method of treatment using high-frequency radiation beams to kill cancer cells.

• Bone marrow transplantation

This medical procedure is performed to renew bone marrow damaged by the growth of cancer cells. This procedure is mostly done in the treatment of blood cancers such as lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia.

• Operation

Surgery is one of the medical procedures that is often used to treat various types of cancer. This procedure is done by removing cancerous tissue in certain parts of the body.

When to Visit an Oncologist

Usually the examination to the oncologist is based on a referral from a general practitioner or other specialist who treats you, if the doctor discovers clinical signs and symptoms that refer to cancer. You are advised to consult an oncologist immediately if there are symptoms that can lead to cancer, such as:

• A cough that doesn't heal and is mixed with blood.
• Changes in frequency of bowel movements and urination.
• There is blood in the stool (feces).
• Anemia for no apparent reason.
• Lump in the breast, testicles, or other places.
• Changes in the shape of moles.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.
• Pain around the back and pelvis.

The sooner the cancer is diagnosed and treated, or if it is found to be still at an early stage, the success rate of treatment will generally be higher.

What Must Be Prepared?

Before meeting with an oncologist, prepare the following to make it easier for cancer specialists to determine the right treatment for your cancer, such as:

• History of complaints and symptoms suffered in detail. If there are lumps in certain parts of the body, note and detail the size and location of the bumps on the body.
• Bring the results of previous tests, such as blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, or biopsies if present.
• If you have been diagnosed with cancer before, inform the severity of the cancer that you are suffering from.
• Bring a family member during an examination with an oncologist.
• Ask about the treatment options available and the level of success and risk of each treatment.

In addition to the above, pay close attention to the oncologist you choose. Ask for recommendations from some cancer specialists from the doctor who examined you. Although general practitioners also study the field of oncology, general practitioners are not competent in providing treatment for cancer sufferers. Especially for cancer, the treatment is the responsibility of a cancer specialist or oncologist.