Oncologist & Chemotherapy
Most people first meet an oncologist after they have received a diagnosis of cancer. This can be a scary time and understanding the oncologist's role in chemotherapy treatment is important.
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Function
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An oncologist is the type of doctor who treats cancer. Different types of oncologists specialize in different parts of standard cancer treatment. A medical oncologist usually handles general management and standard chemotherapy, while a radiation oncologist is specially trained to administer radiation therapy.
Effects
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Chemotherapy drugs will attack any cells in your body that are dividing, including cancer cells. Cells that are constantly growing and dividing, such as hair, skin and nail tissue, see the most noticeable side effects from chemotherapy treatment. Your oncologist will explain what to expect and help you manage these effects of cancer treatment.
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Delivery
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Your oncologist has many different chemotherapy treatment options in his repertoire. Some chemo drugs can be taken orally, while others have to be given via an injection or intravenous drip, where the drug is place directly into a vein or artery. The right choice will depend on your type of cancer, its location, and how aggressive the tumor is.
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References
- Photo Credit medical text image by funkatronik from Fotolia.com
