All About an Oncology Test

In order to understand what oncology testing is, we need to discuss what is oncology.

In medicine, the research that identifies and treats cancer is oncology, and the physician who diagnoses and provides cancer treatment is known as the oncologist.

Oncologists are the primary healthcare physician for cancer patient who designs treatment plan. They also offer supportive care and even coordinate with other specialists for the treatment.

Tests In Oncology

Since oncologists are responsible for the cancer diagnosis, they recommend tests to ascertain that the patients experiencing are due to cancer. These tests can include

• Biopsy

• X-ray

• CT scanning

• MRI

• PET scanning

• Ultrasound

• Mammograms

• Bone scan

• Prostate-specific antigen test

• Pap test

• Endoscopy procedures can also be used, which can include

- Colonoscopy

- Bronchoscopy

- Cystoscopy

- Laryngoscopy

- Laparoscopy

- Upper Endoscopy

- Mediastinoscopy

- Thoracoscopy

At times nuclear medicines are also used for the diagnosis of cancer. It can be blood tests and tumor markers.

What's After The Test?

Typically once the diagnosis is made, and with the help of the oncology testing, it is established that the patient has cancer. Then the stage of the disease is discussed with the patient and the family. Then, based on the stage of cancer, the treatment is determined.

For instance, chemotherapy, which destroys cancer cells, and radiation therapy, can be used in some cases.

If a patient is suffering from a cancerous tumor, surgery is done to remove it. At times hormone therapy can also be used to treat certain cancers. In the last few years, monoclonal antibody treatment has been used and gained popularity.

In oncology, palliative care is also highly in demand as it helps with pain and other cancer symptoms.

How Is The Treatment Done?

While with the oncology test, the type of cancer and the stage are determined, the patient's treatment is typically done by the oncologist and a team of doctors. Generally, the group comprises two or three types of oncologists, a surgeon, radiologists, an oncology nurse, and other physicians.

If there is a difficult-to-treat case, the team often consults another board of experts from relevant disciplines. They typically review the case and then recommend a course of treatment that is best for the patient.

Within oncology, the other specialization that is often in demand is pediatric oncologists. They are responsible for treating children, and the treatment is quite different from adult oncology. For example, the treatment may require stem cell transplant and immunotherapy in pediatric oncology apart from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Also, pediatric oncologists can be required to treat neuroblastoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and brain, central, and other nervous system tumors within their realm of treatment.

Final Words

Depending on the illness and the symptoms, a physician can recommend the oncology tests and then refer them to an oncologist. Once the cancer is determined through the oncology tests, the oncologists will help you overcome the issue and answer the questions that often plague a patient and family in such a situation. They will also direct the patient and family to resources that can prove supportive and advise about the side effects of the treatments.