What You Need to Know About Medical Oncology

The world of cancer research and treatments can be overwhelming. The medical oncology team at Cochise Oncology is devoted to giving each patient the information, support, and personalized care they need on their treatment journey.

What is Medical Oncology?

Medical oncology is a branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing cancer using non-surgical methods. Medical oncologists use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and other systemic treatments to fight cancer. They work closely with surgeons, radiation oncologists, and pathologists to develop individualized treatment plans for their patients.

Medical oncologists also play a critical role in managing the side effects of cancer treatments, providing supportive care, and helping patients navigate the complex emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. 

What Treatments Does Medical Oncology Include?

Our medical oncologists perform various types of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments depending on each patient’s needs. We also offer hematology services for blood disorders.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. The drugs are usually administered through an IV but can also be taken orally or applied topically. While chemotherapy can cause side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, and fatigue, it has improved cancer survival rates and helped countless patients achieve remission.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy stimulates or enhances the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be administered in various forms, such as monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, and checkpoint inhibitors. It has shown remarkable success in treating some types of cancer, with fewer side effects than traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Hematology

Hematology deals with diagnosing and treating disorders related to blood, blood-forming tissues, and the immune system. Hematological disorders can include cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Because blood cancers involve abnormal cell growth in the bone marrow and blood, they are often considered a subset of oncology. 

Medical Oncology vs. Radiation Oncology

Medical oncology and radiation oncology are both subspecialties within the field of oncology, but they differ in the treatments they use to fight cancer. Medical oncologists use systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, administered throughout the body to attack cancer cells.

On the other hand, radiation oncologists specialize in using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. They use sophisticated technologies, such as CT scans and MRI, to precisely target tumors with radiation while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.

In some cases, both medical oncology and radiation oncology are used together as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer. Cochise Oncology features a team of experts in both radiation and medical oncology so that we can create an individualized treatment plan for each patient.

Take the Next Step

Do you have questions about medical oncology? Reach out to Cochise Oncology at (520) 803-6644 or fill out the consultation form on this page.

More To Explore

Understanding Cancer Treatment Options

We provide personalized cancer treatment designed to meet your unique needs. Our team of specialists is dedicated to offering comprehensive care, empowering you to make informed decisions at every step of your journey.

Read More »

Request Consultation

Name(Required)
Confirmation(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

test

Name(Required)
Confirmation(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.