Definition of Oncologist

Pancreatic Cancer Slideshow

Oncologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

A clinical oncologist is usually trained in one of the three primary disciplines of oncology:

• Medical oncology -- the treatment of cancer with medicine, including chemotherapy.
• Surgical oncology -- the surgical aspects of cancer including biopsy, staging, and surgical resection of malignancies)
• Radiation oncology -- the treatment of cancer with therapeutic radiation.

Once a cancer diagnosis is made, it is the oncologist's role to explain the cancer diagnosis and meaning of the disease stage to the patient; discuss various treatment options; recommend the best course of treatment; deliver optimal care; and improve quality of life both through curative therapy and palliative care with pain and symptom management.