Did you know that there are 1.3 million registered cancer cases in India annually? More than half of them get cured and get back to their lives. It may be difficult to find the best oncologist in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and other parts of the country but there are many of them who are equipped to help us in fighting against this dangerous disease.
Oncology is a branch of medical science which deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and research of cancer. It has three major areas – medical, surgical, and radiation. There are different types of oncologists based on the kind of treatment they serve:
- Medical oncologist : Non-surgical treatments
- Surgical oncologist : Surgical procedures
- Radiation oncologist : Ionizing radiation treatments
There are few sub-categories in oncologists. They include:
● Gynecologic oncologist:
They help in diagnosing and treating cancer-related to the reproductive system like uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
● Pediatric oncologist:
They help in diagnosing and treating children/teenagers with cancer. These include brain tumors, bone tumours, leukemia, etc.
● Hematologist oncologist:
They diagnose and treat cancerous blood disorders like leukemia, sickle cell disease, lymphoma, etc. They are also specialized in treating and managing solid tumours.
● Neuro oncologist:
Neuro oncologists diagnose and treat cancers related to the brain and spinal cord. They also treat tumours related to the nervous system. Many of these tumours are often life-threatening.
Role of an Oncologist:
An Oncologist is devoted to the complete treatment of a cancer diagnosed patient.
It starts from:
- Explaining the cancer diagnosis along with its stage to the patient
- Providing information related to all the treatments available and suggesting the suitable choice of treatment for the specific patient
- Delivering quality and compassionate care to the patient
- Helping the patient handle cancer symptoms, treatment, and side effects
- Regular follow ups post treatment
Medical Oncologist:
A medical oncologist is the primary healthcare provider to a patient diagnosed with cancer. This doctor treats cancer using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. They are the main leads of the complete treatment of a cancer patient. They treat patients in a non-surgical way using systematic therapies.
These medical oncologists often work with other specialized medical departments to attain the best results. The best oncologist in Kolkata will work in tandem with the best oncology nurses and radiologists. The other healthcare professionals include:
Pathologist
A pathologist is a medical professional who examines bodies and body tissues. He conducts laboratory tests to check the cells, tissues, and organs, which help in the right diagnosis of a disease. A pathologist is an important team member who helps the other medical professionals to diagnose the disease and provide suitable treatment for the diseased patient.
Diagnostic Radiologist
A diagnostic radiologist is a medical specialist who conducts various imaging procedures to get the images of various elements present inside the body. X-rays and ultrasounds are conducted by them. After getting the images, the radiologist then carefully interprets the scan to get clarity about the diseased part. He then forwards his diagnosis to other professionals, helping them in providing quality treatment to the patients.
Oncology Nurse
An oncology nurse is specially trained to take care of cancer patients. They require advanced certifications and clinical experiences in oncology. They are responsible for the administration of chemotherapy drugs to the patients. They are also responsible for assisting the patients with side effects caused during and post-chemotherapy. The oncology nurses play an important role in coordinating the patient’s care, treatments, and medications.
Oncology social worker
Oncology social workers are professionals who provide counseling to patients affected by cancer. Patients often tend to lose their strength and hope during their treatment. Also, there are many patients who find it difficult to get back to their normal life post-treatment. They provide emotional and moral support to such patients and their families. They conduct individual counseling, case settlements, and social support groups.
These are the basic team members involved in cancer treatment. The team varies according to the type of cancer a person is diagnosed with. For instance, a dermatologist is involved in treating skin cancer, or a gynecologist is involved in treating ovarian or cervical cancer.
Oncology is a very challenging field of medicine. The whole team of oncologists strives to save a patient from the clutches of cancer. Oncologists are rated among the least happy medical professionals. The best oncologists in Kolkata have revealed that they have spent many sleepless nights due to the immense stress that comes with the job. They sacrifice their personal lives to better serve their patients. It is time we appreciate the compassionate services of oncologists who are going out of their way to create a cancer-free society.
