What is an oncologist?
An oncologist is a type of doctor who diagnoses and treats cancer; they are typically the main healthcare provider for someone diagnosed with cancer, but they may work with other specialists to provide the necessary care for their patients.
Oncologists use a wide range of approaches to treat their patients, including biological therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.
What does it mean when you have to see an oncologist?
If you have to see an oncologist, it signifies that your doctor suspects you may have cancer. When a primary care physician suspects cancer, they will typically perform an MRI scan, CT scan, biopsy, or blood test to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
Your doctor will refer you to an oncologist for specialized diagnosis and treatment if they find cancer cells.
What happens at an oncology appointment?
When you arrive for your first oncology appointment, your oncologist will go over your health history to get a complete picture of your current situation. They will look at the scans or tests taken by your primary care physician and conduct an examination and further testing. Once they have the information they need, they can diagnose and formulate a treatment plan for you.
You will undergo agreed-upon treatment procedures during subsequent visits as your oncologist monitors your progress.
How long does a first oncology appointment take?
Your first oncology appointment should only take an hour or two. During this appointment, your oncologist spends time getting to know you and answering questions about your condition and possible treatments. They also perform an initial exam and go over your medical history and previous tests.
Before your appointment, you must fill out your contact and health insurance provider information to ensure coverage for your visit.
What questions should I ask at my first oncology appointment?
It is beneficial to ask questions regarding your prognosis and treatment options during your first oncology appointment. Asking questions can help reduce anxiety regarding your diagnosis and allow you to understand treatment approaches.
The American Cancer Society provides patients with a list of important questions to ask their oncologist, which includes questions like:
- What type of cancer do you think I have?
- What are my odds of surviving this cancer?
- How effective are different types of treatment?
- How soon should I start treatment?
- How much do these treatments cost?
- How do I know if treatment is working?
Does an oncologist do surgery?
Surgical oncologists use surgery to treat cancer. This type of oncologist can perform biopsies, a procedure in which the surgeon removes a small portion of the suspected cancer for testing. They also perform tumor removal or excision, both of which remove the cancerous growth from your body.
