A cancer doctor is called an oncologist. An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. There are different types of oncologists, including:
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Medical Oncologist: This is the cancer specialist who a patient will likely see most often. They oversee the general care and coordinate treatments with other specialists. They are also in charge of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Patients will likely visit their medical oncologist for long-term, regular checkups.
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Radiation Oncologist: This cancer specialist treats cancer with radiation therapy.
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Surgical Oncologist: This is a surgeon who has special training in treating cancer. They may be called in to diagnose cancer with a biopsy, and they also treat cancer by removing tumors or other cancerous tissue.
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Hematologist-Oncologist: This is an oncologist who specializes in treating disorders of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
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Pediatric Oncologist: This is an oncologist who specializes in treating children with cancer.
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Gynecologic Oncologist: This is an oncologist who specializes in treating cancers of the female reproductive system.
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Dermatologic Oncologist: This is an oncologist who specializes in treating skin cancers.
It is important to choose an oncologist who has experience treating a patients specific type of cancer.
