Best Oncologists in Delhi, India

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is an Oncologist?

An oncologist is a cancer specialist who diagnoses and treats cancer patients. They work with other specialists to design treatment plans and provide supportive care.

Explore our blog to know: What Is an Oncologist and Surgical vs Medical Oncologist.

2. What are the Conditions & types of disease treated by Oncologists?

Common conditions treated by Oncologists are-

• Carcinomas - Carcinomas are cancers of skin cells or the tissue lining the internal organs such as kidneys and liver. Common types of carcinomas are-
• Basal cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Ductal Carcinoma in-situ (DCIS)
• Renal cell Carcinoma
• Invasive ductal Carcinoma
• Sarcomas - Sarcomas are cancers of soft tissue and bones. Common types of sarcomas are-
• Osteosarcoma Cancer of bone cells
• Chondrosarcoma Cancer of cartilage cells
• Liposarcoma Cancer of fat cells
• Fibrosarcoma Cancer of fibrous tissue
• Angiosarcoma Cancer of blood vessels
• Synovial sarcoma Cancer of cells of tendons and joints
• Leukaemias - Leukemias are cancers of blood cells. Common types of leukaemias are-
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia (ALL)
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
• Lymphoma - Lymphoma is a cancer of cells of the immune system. Common lymphomas are
• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Central Nervous System Cancer - Central nervous system cancers are cancers of the brain and spinal cord. Common central nervous system cancers are-
• Gliomas
• Astrocytomas
• Oligodendrogliomas
• Ependymomas
• Meningiomas
• Medulloblastomas
• Schwannomas

3. When do I need to see an oncologist?

You need to see an Oncologist if you have symptoms such as-

• A persistent lump
• Unintended weight loss
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Unexplained pain;

If you are a cancer patient or suspected case of cancer, your physician will refer you to an Oncologist.

4. How does an oncologist diagnose cancer?

Your doctor will take a note of medical history, family history and personal history such as tobacco, gutka chewing etc. Your doctor may ask you to undergo the following tests that can help in the diagnosis of cancer.

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Blood sample for tumour markers
• CT scan
• MRI
• PET scan
• Ultrasound
• Biopsy

5. What are the different types of oncologists?

There are three major types of cancer specialists

• Medical Oncologists - They treat cancer using medications and use modalities such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
• Radiation Oncologists - They use high energy X-Ray beams (radiation therapy) to kill cancer cells.
• Surgical Oncologists - They perform surgery to remove the cancerous tissue.

There are oncologists for each speciality. Some of the common cancer specialists are-

• Neuro-oncologists
• Pediatric oncologists
• Geriatric oncologists
• Hematologist-oncologists
• Thoracic oncologists
• Urologic oncologists
• Gynecologic oncologists

6. What does an oncologist do on the first visit?

In the first appointment, your cancer specialist will perform a thorough examination. The doctor will take your medical, personal and family history and ask you to undergo certain diagnostic tests.

7. How does an oncologist help?

A cancer doctor helps by -

• Confirming the initial diagnosis
• Explaining the stage of cancer and diagnosis in detail to patients.
• Preparing a personalized treatment plan
• Overseeing during the entire treatment execution
• Managing symptoms
• Managing side effects of treatment