Filed under: cancer technology
Oncology is, quite simply, the branch of medicine that studies tumors (cancer) and their development and treatment. There are two main branches of oncology: radiation oncology (radiotherapy) and medical oncology (commonly referred to as just oncology). These two forms of oncology each have their pros and cons and your oncologist’s choice for you will be based on which variety he feels is right for you.
Medical oncology is usually associated with chemotherapy which is a broader form of treatment. This means that for some varieties of cancer it is ideal because it uses a broad-spectrum approach that can target a wider area. However, its side effects are well-known and very undesirable which may cause many people to avoid chemotherapy if at all possible.
On the other hand, a radiation oncologist uses intense beams of radiation to target very specific areas and kill the cancerous cells, while keeping the surrounding area relatively unaffected. Radiation oncology may not be the right treatment for some, because of its narrow targeting, but the side effects, although they certainly exist, are often not as violent.
Only your doctor can help you choose the right brand of oncology for your needs, but it is great to know in our modern world that we have options.
No Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>