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See cancer for the biology of the disease, as well as a list of malignant diseases. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled

Oncology is the branch of medicine that studies tumors (cancer) and seeks to understand their development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. The term originates from the Greek onkos (ογκος), meaning bulk, mass, or tumor and the suffix -ology, meaning "study of". See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic

The oncologist often coordinates the multidisciplinary care of cancer patients, which may involve physiotherapy, counselling, clinical genetics, to name but a few. Although every Disease has its Patients to be a cancer patient has a very specific meaning both to the patients and their relatives and the general public Psychotherapy is an Interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living Genetics (from Ancient Greek grc-Latn genetikos, “genitive” and that from grc-Latn genesis, “origin” a discipline of Biology, is On the other hand, the oncologist often has to liaise with pathologists on the exact biological nature of the tumor that is being treated. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic

Oncology is concerned with:

Contents

Diagnosis

The most important diagnostic tool remains the medical history: the character of the complaints and any specific symptoms (fatigue, weight loss, unexplained anemia, fever of unknown origin, paraneoplastic phenomena and other signs). Weight loss, in the context of Medicine or Health or Physical fitness, is a reduction of the total Body weight, due to a mean loss of fluid Anemia ( AmE) or anæmia/anaemia ( BrE) (from the Ancient Greek grc-Latn anaîmia, meaning “without blood” is defined as a qualitative Fever of unknown origin (FUO, pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO or febris e causa ignota (febris E A paraneoplastic syndrome is a Disease or Symptom that is the consequence of the presence of Cancer in the body but is not due to the local presence Often a physical examination will reveal the location of a malignancy. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled

Diagnostic methods include:

Apart from in diagnosis, these modalities (especially imaging by CT scanning) are often used to determine operability, i. Computed tomography (CT is a Medical imaging method employing Tomography. Surgery (from the χειρουργική cheirourgikē, via chirurgiae meaning "hand work" is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental e. whether it is surgically possible to remove a tumor in its entirety. Surgery (from the χειρουργική cheirourgikē, via chirurgiae meaning "hand work" is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental

Generally, a "tissue diagnosis" (from a biopsy) is considered essential for the proper identification of cancer. A biopsy (in Greek: βίος life and όψη look/appearance is a Medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled When this is not possible, empirical therapy (without an exact diagnosis) may be given, based on the available evidence (e. g. history, x-rays and scans. )

Occasionally, a metastatic lump or pathological lymph node is found (typically in the neck) for which a primary tumor cannot be found. This situation is referred to as " carcinoma of unknown primary", and again, treatment is empirical based on past experience of the most likely origin.

Therapy

It depends completely on the nature of the tumor identified what kind of therapeutical intervention will be necessary. See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic Certain disorders will require immediate admission and chemotherapy (such as ALL or AML), while others will be followed up with regular physical examination and blood tests. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL) is a form of Leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells. Acute myeloid leukemia ( AML) also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is a Cancer of the Myeloid line of White blood cells characterized A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a Blood sample that is usually extracted from a Vein in the arm using a needle, or via

Often, surgery is attempted to remove a tumor entirely. Surgery (from the χειρουργική cheirourgikē, via chirurgiae meaning "hand work" is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic This is only feasible when there is some degree of certainty that the tumor can in fact be removed. When it is certain that parts will remain, curative surgery is often impossible, e. g. when there are metastases elsewhere, or when the tumor has invaded a structure that cannot be operated upon without risking the patient's life. Metastasis ( Greek: displacement μετά=next + στάσις=placement, plural metastases) sometimes abbreviated mets, Occasionally surgery can improve survival even if not all tumour tissue has been removed; the procedure is referred to as "debulking" (i. e. reducing the overall amount of tumour tissue). Surgery is also used for the palliative treatment of some of cancers, e. Palliative care (from Latin palliare to cloak is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of Disease Symptoms g. to relieve biliary obstruction, or to relieve the problems associated with some cerebral tumours. The risks of surgery must be weighed up against the benefits.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used as a first-line radical therapy in a number of malignancies. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) is the medical use of Ionizing radiation as part of Cancer treatment to control Malignant They are also used for adjuvant therapy, i. e. when the macroscopic tumor has already been completely removed surgically but there is a reasonable statistical risk that it will recur. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are commonly used for palliation, where disease is clearly incurable: in this situation the aim is to improve the quality of and prolong life. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) is the medical use of Ionizing radiation as part of Cancer treatment to control Malignant

Hormone manipulation is well established, particularly in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer. Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body

There is currently a rapid expansion in the use of monoclonal antibody treatments, notably for lymphoma (Rituximab), and breast cancer (Trastuzumab). Monoclonal antibodies ( mAb or moAb) are monospecific antibodies that are identical because they are produced by one type of immune cell Lymphoma a type of Neoplasm that originates in Lymphocytes (a type of White blood cell in the vertebrate Immune system) Rituximab, sold under the trade names Rituxan, MabThera and Reditux, is a chimeric Monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20 Breast cancer is a Cancer that starts in the cells of the Breast in women and men Trastuzumab (more commonly known under the Trade

Vaccine and other immunotherapies are the subject of intensive research. A vaccine is a biological preparation which is used to establish or improve immunity to a particular disease Immunotherapy in medicine refers to an array of treatment strategies based upon the concept of modulating the Immune system to achieve a prophylactic and/or

The application of ultrasound in the form of HIFU to solid tumors is under investigation. HIFU ( high intensity focused ultrasound) (sometimes FUS or HIFUS) is a highly precise medical procedure using high-intensity focused Ultrasound

Breast cancer facility in Galway, Ireland.
Breast cancer facility in Galway, Ireland. Galway (Gaillimh is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world

Follow-up

A large segment of the oncologist's workload is the following-up of cancer patients who have been successfully treated. For some cancers, early identification of recurrence, with prompt treatment, can lead to better survival and quality of life. It depends on the nature of the cancer whether the follow-up lasts a number of years or remains "life long".

Palliative care

Approximately 50% of all cancer cases in the Western world can be cured with radical treatment. For pediatric patients, that number is much higher. A large number of cancer patients will die from the disease, and a significant proportion of patients with incurable cancer will die of other causes. There may be ongoing issues with symptom control associated with progressive cancer, and also with the treatment of the disease. These problems may include pain, nausea, anorexia, fatigue, immobility, and depression. Pain, in the sense of physical pain, is a typical sensory experience that may be described as the unpleasant awareness of a noxious stimulus or bodily harm Nausea ( Latin: Nausea, Greek:, " Sea-sickness " also called wamble) is the sensation of unease and discomfort Anorexia (deriving from the Greek "α(ν-" ( a(n-, a prefix that denotes absence + "όρεξη (orexe = appetite is the decreased sensation Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression Not all issues are strictly physical: personal dignity may be affected. Moral and spiritual issues are also important.

While many of these problems fall within the remit of the oncologist, palliative care has matured into a separate, closely allied speciality to address the problems associated with advanced disease. Palliative care (from Latin palliare to cloak is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of Disease Symptoms Palliative care is an essential part of the multidisciplinary cancer care team. Palliative care services may be less hospital-based than oncology, with nurses and doctors who are able to visit the patient at home.

Ethical issues

There are a number of recurring ethical questions and dilemmas in oncological practice. Medical ethics is primarily a field of Applied ethics, the study of Moral values and judgments as they apply to Medicine. These include:

These issues are closely related to the patients' personality, religion, culture, personal, and family life. The answers are rarely black and white. It requires a degree of sensitivity and very good communication on the part of the oncology team to address these problems properly.

Progress and research in oncology

There is a tremendous amount of research being conducted on all frontiers of oncology, ranging from cancer cell biology to chemotherapy treatment regimens and optimal palliative care and pain relief. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. Palliative care (from Latin palliare to cloak is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of Disease Symptoms This makes oncology a continuously changing field.

Therapeutic trials often involve patients from many different hospitals in a particular region. In the UK, patients are often enrolled in large studies coordinated by Cancer Research UK (CRUK, [1]), Medical Research Council (MRC, [2]), the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC, [3]) or the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN, [4]). Cancer Research UK' is a Cancer research and awareness-promotion charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger The Medical Research Council (MRC is a UK organisation dedicated to "promot the balanced development of medical and related biological research The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer or EORTC is an international Non-profit organisation that develops coordinates and stimulates The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN is a UK based government funding utility created to provide infrastructure to the UK's National Health Service (NHS and increase

Complementary and alternative therapies

Main article: Alternative medicine

Many cancer patients seek extra help from complementary and alternative therapies, which fall outside of conventional medicine. The term alternative medicine, as used in the modern western world encompasses any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional Medicine. Most complementary therapies do not have a firm scientific or evidence base. Some patients undoubtedly find complementary therapies helpful while they are undergoing conventional treatment.

While most complementary therapies are probably harmless, they can be expensive. They may also be positively harmful if the patient forgoes conventional treatment altogether, in order to follow alternative regimens. Some alternative regimens are undoubtedly hazardous.

Specialities

There are several subspecialties within oncology. Moreover, oncologists often develop an interest and expertise in the management of particular types of cancer.

Oncologists may be divided on the basis of the type of treatment provided.

Gynecologic oncology focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system. Gynecologic oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses only on cancers of the female reproductive system notably Ovarian cancer, Cervical cancer,

In veterinary medicine, veterinary oncology is the subspecialty that deals with cancer diagnosis and treatment in animals. Veterinary medicine the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife Veterinary oncology is a subspecialty of Veterinary medicine that deals with cancer diagnosis and treatment in animals

See also

References

External links

Dictionary

oncology

-noun

  1. The branch of medicine concerned with tumors, including study of their development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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