Oncology

Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. The name’s etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (ónkos), meaning “tumor”, “volume” or “mass”. Oncology is concerned with:

• The diagnosis of any cancer in a person (pathology)
• Therapy (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other modalities)
• Follow-up of cancer patients after successful treatment
• Palliative care of patients with terminal malignancies
• Ethical questions surrounding cancer care
• Screening efforts:
  • of populations, or
  • of the relatives of patients (in types of cancer that are thought to have a hereditary basis, such as breast cancer)

Specialties

• The four main divisions:
  • Medical oncology: focuses on the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy.
  • Surgical oncology: focuses on treatment of cancer with surgery.
  • Radiation oncology: focuses on treatment of cancer with radiation.
  • Clinical oncology: focuses on treatment of cancer with both systemic therapies and radiation.
• Sub-specialties in Oncology:
  • Neuro-oncology: focuses on cancers of brain.
  • Ocular oncology: focuses on cancers of eye.
  • Head & Neck oncology: focuses on cancers of oral cavity, nasal cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx.
  • Thoracic oncology: focuses on cancers of lung, mediastinum, oesophagus and pleura.
  • Breast oncology: focuses on cancers of breast.
  • Gastrointestinal oncology: focuses on cancers of the stomach, colon, rectum, anal canal, liver, gallbladder, pancreas.
  • Bone & Musculoskeletal oncology: focuses on cancers of bones and soft tissue.
  • Dermatological oncology: focuses on the medical and surgical treatment of skin, hair, sweat gland, and nail cancers
  • Genitourinary oncology: focuses on cancers of genital and urinary system.
  • Gynecologic oncology: focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system.
  • Pediatric oncology: concerned with the treatment of cancer in children.
  • Adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology.
  • Hemato oncology: focuses on cancers of blood and stem cell transplantation.
  • Preventive oncology: focuses on epidemiology & prevention of cancer.
  • Geriatric oncology: focuses on cancers in elderly population.
  • Pain & Palliative oncology: focuses on treatment of end stage cancer to help alleviate pain and suffering.
  • Molecular oncology: focuses on molecular diagnostic methods in oncology.
  • Nuclear medicine oncology: focuses on diagnosis and treatment of cancer with radiopharmaceuticals.
  • Psycho-oncology: focuses on psychosocial issues on diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.
  • Veterinary oncology: focuses on treatment of cancer in animals.
• Emerging specialties:
  • Cardiooncology is a branch of cardiology that addresses the cardiovascular impact of cancer and its treatments

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncology