What Does an Oncologist Do?

Oncology is the study of cancer. Oncologists specialize in managing and treating patients throughout the course of the disease, which involves:

• Confirming a patient’s initial diagnosis
• Explaining the cancer diagnosis and stage
• Providing all possible treatment plans and offering recommendations
• Overseeing the course of treatment
• Helping patients manage symptoms and side effects of both the disease and the treatment plan

Their work isn’t limited to cancer treatment, however. Many oncologists are board-certified to practice hematology as well, treating patients with blood conditions including:

• Anemia, a condition that results from a shortage of red blood cells
• Sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that can affect circulation
• Different types of thrombosis, which occur when blood clots block blood vessels

Oncologists typically have a specialty within the field, so they often expand a patient’s team to include the right doctors for a chosen treatment plan.