Who is an Oncologist: All About the Oncologist Profession.

In Ukraine, as well as in the world, being an oncologist is quite honorable but also challenging. At the same Time, many people still do not know who an oncologist is. This specificity, who an oncologist is, often deters medical students, as not everyone will agree to such work. 

It is important to understand, who an oncologist is, for those who have encountered such a specialist. Recovery and even the life of the patient often depend on them. It is important not only who they are but also what duties they have. 

Who is an Oncologist and what does this specialist do? 

Traditionally, let's start with the fact that an oncologist is a doctor who deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer (oncological diseases) patients. Oncology — is a medical science that studies cancer diseases and their treatment. This specialist has several varieties, but the work is complex in any case. 

An oncologist usually specializes in certain areas of oncology, such as medical oncology (treating cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.), radiation oncology (treating cancer with radiation therapy), and surgical oncology (surgical intervention to remove tumors). Such typification directly depends on the country where the oncologist is trained and works. 

The work of an oncologist includes diagnosing diseases, developing a treatment plan, prescribing necessary procedures and medications, monitoring the patient during treatment, and rehabilitating after treatment. In other words, they accompany the patient from the beginning of the treatment. 

What does an oncologist do?

The duties of an oncologist may depend on the country and even the hospital where they work. However, there are general requirements for what an oncologist does:

1. Diagnosing diseases. An oncologist conducts a comprehensive examination of patients to detect cancer. This can include physical examination, laboratory and instrumental studies, biopsy, and other diagnostic methods.

2. Treatment planning. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the oncologist develops an individual treatment plan for each patient. This may include surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and other methods.

3. The oncologist prescribes the necessary medicines, procedures, and other treatment methods for patients and monitors their effectiveness and safety.

4. The oncologist monitors the condition of patients during treatment.

5. Supporting patients and their families. The oncologist provides support and consults patients and their families regarding treatment, managing side effects, planning further actions, and other issues related to oncological diseases.

6. The oncologist can participate in consultations with other medical specialists to discuss complex cases and develop an optimal treatment plan.

Working in this field requires great responsibility, professional competence, and cooperation with other medical specialists. This work is also associated with complex psycho-emotional experiences. 

What oncologists work in Ukraine? 

In Ukraine, as in many other countries, the specialization of an oncologist can be diverse depending on the specific direction of research, treatment, and place of work. Here are some types of oncologists who may work in Ukraine:

1. Medical oncologist. This type of oncologist specializes in treating cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other medicinal methods.

2. Radiation oncologist. This specialist deals with the treatment of cancer using radiation therapy, which uses radiation beams to destroy cancer cells.

3. Surgical oncologist. This type of oncologist specializes in the surgical treatment of cancerous tumors. They perform operations to remove tumors and treat cancer.

4. Pediatric oncologist. This specialist specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer in children.

5. Hematologist-oncologist. This doctor specializes in treating cancer diseases of the blood and hematopoietic system, such as leukemia, lymphoma.

6. Gynecological oncologist. This specialist specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer of the female organs.

7. Mammologist-oncologist. This specialist deals with diagnosing and treating breast cancer.

Each of these specialists has their own specialization and responsibilities in cancer treatment.