Radiation oncology does not include chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is handled by a medical oncologist.
In some countries, a clinical oncologist handles both
radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy. Surgical oncology deals with the
surgical treatment of tumors. Surgical oncologists are split into several
specialties that focus on cancers infecting particular areas of the body.
Today, thanks to improving technology in the field of
radiation oncology, about 70 percent of all cancer treatment plans include
radiation therapy. Some of these involve strictly radiation treatment while
some, more severe cases of cancer call for a combination of radiation and
chemotherapy treatment.
Choosing a radiation oncologist
As can be expected, the more experience a doctor has in oncology
the higher their success record becomes in successful treatment of their
patients. Choosing a radiation oncologist then becomes a potentially vital part
of your treatment. You may be literally putting your life in the hands of the
doctor you choose.
In addition to experience in treating patients, training and
experience with the latest technologies is also important since newer
technologies are capable of providing better treatment of cancer. IMRT, for
example, is a relatively new method of radiation therapy that allows for higher
doses of radiation to be delivered to a tumor while sparing surrounding healthy
tissue.
Some radiation oncologists don't even have access to new
technologies such as IMRT. In cases where access is available, doctors may have
little or no training and little or no experience.
To receive the best treatment possible, as a patient it
would be beneficial to seek out a radiation oncologist that is both experienced
with the latest technologies as well as practices at a facility that has access
to these technologies.
Bedside manner is important as well. A person can generally
tell whether they'll get along with within a few minutes of meeting them.
You're under enough stress just from the discovery that you have or may have
cancer. Having to put up with an oncologist you don't get along with can be
detrimental to your health, especially if your relationship with your doctor is
so bad that you loathe going to see him or her.
However, a radiation oncologist's ability to give you the best treatment possible may trump all else. Choose wisely.
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Article Source: DesireToRetire.com
