Medical Oncology

This article was medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Türkoğlu

What is Medical Oncology?

Medical oncology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer using various medications, including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Medical oncologists are specialized doctors who coordinate the overall treatment plan for cancer patients, working closely with other specialists such as surgeons, radiation oncologists, and radiologists to provide comprehensive care.

The primary role of a medical oncologist includes:

  • Diagnosing cancer and determining its stage.
  • Developing individualized treatment plans based on the type, location, and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.
  • Administering and managing chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy.
  • Monitoring the patient’s progress and adjusting treatments as necessary.
  • Providing supportive care to manage symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatments.
  • Offering palliative care to improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.

Types of Medical Oncology

Medical oncology treatments aim to eliminate cancer, slow its progression, or relieve symptoms caused by the disease. The main types of treatments used in medical oncology include:

  1. Chemotherapy:
    • Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. It can be administered orally, intravenously, or through other methods, depending on the type and stage of cancer. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.
  2. Hormonal Therapy:
    • Hormonal therapy is used to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer. This treatment works by blocking the body’s natural hormones or lowering their levels to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
  3. Targeted Therapy:
    • Targeted therapy involves drugs or other substances that specifically target and attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. This type of therapy is based on the unique genetic and molecular characteristics of the cancer cells.
  4. Immunotherapy:
    • Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. This treatment helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
  5. Biologic Therapy:
    • Biologic therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines, enhance the body’s natural defenses to combat cancer. These therapies can target specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.
  6. Combination Therapy:
    • Often, multiple types of treatments are combined to increase effectiveness. For example, chemotherapy may be combined with targeted therapy or immunotherapy to improve outcomes.
  7. Supportive Care:
    • Supportive care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. This may include medications to control pain, nausea, and other side effects, as well as nutritional support and psychological counseling.

Medical oncologists continually evaluate new treatment options and clinical trials to provide the most effective and cutting-edge therapies for their patients.

Reyap Hospital – Istanbul, Turkey

Reyap Hospital Exterior Design
Reyap Hospital Interior Design

FaQ – Medical Oncology Treatments

A medical oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using medications such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. They develop and manage individualized treatment plans for cancer patients.

  1. Medical oncologists treat all types of cancers, including but not limited to breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma.

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. It can be administered orally, intravenously, or through other methods.

Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to specifically target and attack cancer cells based on their unique genetic and molecular characteristics, minimizing damage to normal cells.

Common side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and an increased risk of infection. Side effects vary depending on the specific drugs used and the individual patient.

Hormonal therapy is used to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer. It works by blocking the body’s natural hormones or lowering their levels to slow or stop cancer growth.

Yes, combination therapy, which involves using multiple types of treatments together (e.g., chemotherapy and targeted therapy), is often used to increase effectiveness and improve outcomes.

Supportive care aims to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for cancer patients. It includes managing pain, nausea, and other side effects, as well as providing nutritional and psychological support.

Yes, medical oncologists continually evaluate new treatment options and clinical trials to provide the most effective and cutting-edge therapies for their patients. Patients should discuss potential new treatments with their oncologist.

Stay Connected With Us

Reyap Hospital provides 7/24 health care services by its qualified doctors and staff within international standards.