Texas Oncology: What It’s All About

Oncology is a branch of medicine that specializes in cancer diagnosis and treatment. An oncologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats cancers. If you or afamily member has been diagnosedwith cancer, on the first visit, the oncologist will determine the nature of tumor before recommending treatment. The treatment approach depends on the type, extent of spread, and stage of cancer. Diagnosis approaches include x-rays, biopsy, ultrasound and blood tests.

Oncologists use three main cancer treatment approaches: radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy.These treatment approaches form the three main fields of oncology.

• Medical oncology: It involves treatment of cancer primarily using chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treatment uses certain drugs to kill the cancer cells. The drugs inhibitthe growth and multiplication of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used in different ways and at different times. It can be used before surgery or radiotherapy, to shrink cancer cells. It can also be integrated after surgery or radiotherapy to kill the remaining cancer cells. Finally,it can be used exclusively to treat cancer. A patient’s chemotherapy treatment plan will depend on the type of cancer, tumor size, age, whether one has undergone the treatment previously and not to mention, existing medical conditions.
• Radiation oncology: This field of oncology utilizes radiation to destroy or slow down growth of cancer cells. Radiation oncology in Texas is used either on its own or after surgery or chemotherapy, to destroy the remaining cancer cells. Many cancer patients and their families are often concerned about whether the high energyradiation exposessomeone to other risks. However, through years of research, radiation oncologists are able to safely use radiation therapy to treat cancer.
• Surgical oncology: Surgical oncology in Texasdeals with surgically removing tumors. The procedure involves removing the tumor and a part of the surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on the location of the tum

or or the stage of cancer, it is not always possible to remove the entire tumor. In such a case, debulking is carried out, which involves removing as much of the tumor aspossible to ease pain and slow spreading.

Having a basic understanding of the three main fields of oncology will help you find the right clinic and doctor for your treatment.

About Author

North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas.