Definition:
A medical doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Some oncologists treat patients with all forms of cancer, and others specialize in only one type of cancer.
There are 3 primary types of oncologists.
- Medical oncologists - treat cancer with medications including chemotherapy, and oversee other types of therapy
- Radiation oncologists - treat cancer with therapeutic radiation
- Surgical oncologists - treat cancer with surgical procedures
Examples: After Jan's doctor suspected she may have cancer, he referred her to an oncologist.
