Medical Oncology

What Is Medical Oncology and Hematology? Understanding Combined Cancer and Blood Disorder Care

• Perform a thorough workup (blood panels, bone marrow biopsy when indicated, imaging, and molecular testing)
• Offer targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy tailored to your diagnosis.
• Manage transfusions and growth factors when needed.
• Provide infection prevention strategies and vaccine guidance.
• Monitor long term for remission, late effects, and overall wellness.

Medical Oncology Doctor: What They Do and When to See One

A medical oncologist is the specialist who oversees cancer treatment with medications and supportive care. Their responsibilities include:

• Explaining your cancer type, stage, and biomarker results
• Recommending evidence based treatments tailored to your tumor biology and personal goals
• Coordinating with surgical oncology and radiation oncology for optimal timing
• Proactively preventing and managing side effects.

Tracking response with labs and scans, and adjusting the plan as needed.

See a medical oncologist if you have a confirmed cancer diagnosis, a complex or rare tumor, or if you want a second opinion. Your oncologist also guides survivorship once active treatment ends.

Oncology in Medical Terms: Clear Definitions Patients Can Trust

Cancer care uses terms that can be confusing. Here are quick, patient friendly definitions:

Oncology (medical term): The branch of medicine focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Medical oncology: Cancer care using medications such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Radiation oncology: Precision radiation used to destroy cancer cells.
Surgical oncology: Operations to remove tumors and involved tissues.
Staging: How advanced a cancer is its size, lymph node involvement, and whether it has spread.
Biomarkers/molecular profiling: Tests that identify genetic or protein changes in a tumor to guide targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Remission: No detectable evidence of cancer (partial or complete).
Survivorship: Health and support after active treatment, focused on long term wellness.

Clear definitions make it easier to understand your plan and participate in shared decision making.

Medical Oncology Treatments: Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Targeted and Hormone Therapy

Your treatment plan may include one or more systemic therapies. The right combination depends on the
type and stage of cancer, biomarker results, your overall health, and your preferences.

Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy uses medicines that damage rapidly dividing cells. It can be administered intravenously or orally and is given in cycles with rest periods. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and lowered blood counts, but prevention is far better today with modern anti nausea medications, growth factors, and supportive care. Your team will review what to expect, what to report urgently (such as fever), and how to stay on schedule safely.

Targeted Therapy : Targeted therapy acts on specific genetic changes or proteins driving cancer growth (examples include
HER2, EGFR, ALK, BRAF, and others). It can be a pill or infusion and may cause different side effects than chemotherapy (for example, skin or liver changes). Molecular profiling helps determine if you’re a candidate.

Immunotherapy : Immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, activates your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Side effects are immune related and can affect the skin, colon, thyroid, liver, or lungs. Early reporting and prompt treatment of symptoms are essential to keep you safe and on therapy.

Hormone Therapy : Some cancers, like certain breast and prostate cancers, grow in response to hormones. Hormone therapy lowers hormone levels or blocks their effects. It can be combined with other treatments and often continues for months to years to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Medical Oncology Unit and Center: What to Expect at Your First Visit ?

• Intake and review of oncology electronic medical records and prior tests
• Detailed history and exam by your medical oncology doctor
• Clear explanation of diagnosis, stage, and recommended plan
• Discussion of benefits, risks, timelines, and goals of care
• Supportive care planning (nutrition, social work, symptom management)
• Lab work or scans, if needed, to finalize timing
• A written summary and calendar for treatments and follow ups

During therapy, you’ll have regular infusion visits or medication checks, lab monitoring, and imaging at set intervals to track response. After treatment, a survivorship plan outlines follow ups, screening, and steps to maintain long term health.

The Difference Between Medical Oncology and Radiation/Surgical Oncology

Medical oncology treats cancer with medications that circulate throughout the body (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy). It is often used when there is a risk of microscopic spread or when the disease is already systemic.

Radiation oncology treats cancer using focused radiation beams to target tumors precisely, either alone or combined with systemic therapy.

Surgical oncology removes tumors and, when appropriate, lymph nodes. It may be the first step for localized cancers or part of a combined plan.

Your care team will suggest the best order for treatments, such as starting with surgery, medications, radiation, or a mix, depending on your cancer type, stage, and personal goals.

Managing Side Effects, Staying Well, and Daily Life During Treatment

Proactive care keeps you safe and functional:

• Infection prevention: Report fever promptly; practice hand hygiene and follow vaccination guidance from your team.
• Energy and activity: Gentle daily movement eases fatigue; schedule rest and aim for consistent sleep.
  Nutrition and hydration: Small, frequent, protein rich meals and adequate fluids support recovery; ask for an oncology nutrition consult if eating is hard.
• Skin, hair, and mouth care: Use gentle products; report rashes or mouth sores early for faster relief.
• Emotional health: It's normal to feel anxious or notice changes in your mood. Ask about counseling, support groups, or ways to relax. Caregivers need support too, so involve them in learning and planning.
• Work and family life: Talk with your team about work notes, activity restrictions, and ways to coordinate school or childcare around infusion days.

Your plan adapts over time; quick reporting of new symptoms helps avoid delays.

Survivorship and Follow Up in Medical Oncology: Life After Treatment

When active therapy ends, survivorship begins. You’ll receive:

• A treatment summary and follow up schedule for labs and scans
• Guidance on screening for recurrence and late effects (for example, heart or bone health, depending on therapy)
• Recommendations on exercise, nutrition, vaccinations, and preventive care
• Support for returning to work and everyday routines
• Resources for mental health, sexual health, and long term symptom management

If you continue long-term therapy, survivorship still means finding the right balance between managing cancer and maintaining your quality of life.

For more information about our academic and training initiatives, visit Liv Hospital Academy. 

Frequently Asked Questions for Medical Oncology