Medical Oncology

What Is Medical Oncology?

Cancer is a disease that can appear in many different ways and is diagnosed by doctors from various specialties. Patients usually come to the hospital with weight loss, pain or a palpable lump. Doctors order tests to investigate these signs and symptoms. These tests usually include blood tests, X-rays, CT scans and a biopsy. The Medical Oncology Department uses the full range of hormonal, biological and chemical treatment methods needed to manage cancer. Cancer treatment is provided by a team of medical oncologists. Medical oncology aims to offer patients first-class cancer care using the latest technology and treatment methods. Medical oncologists stay in close contact with their patients. This comprehensive approach, designed to help cancer patients find the care and treatment they need, allows cancer management and treatment services to be delivered safely. These services focus on destroying cancer cells, slowing the growth of cancer, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body and relieving cancer symptoms.

Which Diseases Does Medical Oncology Treat?

When a patient is referred to the medical oncology unit, they first need to make an appointment with a medical oncologist. During this first appointment, the oncologist reviews the patient's medical history to better understand the condition. Once the oncologist has an overview of the patient's current health, they discuss the treatment options with the patient. Medical oncology deals with tumours arising in all organ systems. The aim is to treat the patient as a whole. Common types of cancer diagnosed and treated by medical oncology include:

• Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that refers to malignant tumours forming in breast tissue. A tumour forms when cells in the breast tissue mutate due to various factors, and over time these cells can multiply out of control. Many oncological treatment options are available for breast cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. The most suitable treatment option is determined according to the location and size of the tumour and the results of laboratory tests.

• Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, develops in the inner lining of the colon. If it is not detected or treated, colon cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Surgery is the most commonly used method in the treatment of colon cancer. However, the doctor may combine surgery with medical oncology treatments.

• Oral Cancer: Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the inside of the mouth. It may appear on the lips and in the mouth as white patches or bleeding sores. When the cancer has not spread beyond the mouth and throat, a complete cure may be possible with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

• Pancreatic Cancer: Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow out of control and form a tumour. Treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the patient's general health. The standard treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can also be supported by medical oncology options such as chemotherapy.

• Skin Cancer: Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, caused by unrepaired DNA damage that leads to mutations. The main treatment for skin cancer is surgery. However, some patients may not be able to have surgery or may need further treatment after surgery. At this point, medical oncology approaches can be applied.

• Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer begins in the thyroid, a small gland located in the neck just above the windpipe. Treatment of thyroid cancer depends on the size of the tumour and whether the cancer has spread. More than one type of treatment is often needed.

• Gallbladder Cancer: Gallbladder cancer occurs when malignant tumour cells grow in the gallbladder. The stage of the cancer affects the treatment. In early-stage cancers, the goal is usually to remove the cancer. If the cancer is advanced, however, the goals of treatment may include prolonging the patient's life and managing symptoms. If surgery is chosen as a treatment option, various medical oncology treatments may be used before surgery to help shrink the cancer. These options may also be used after surgery, to prevent the cancer from recurring or, if it has spread in the body, to help shrink cancer cells in other areas.

• Liver Cancer: Liver cancer develops when the DNA of healthy liver cells is damaged. Doctors may perform surgery to remove part of the liver. Chemotherapy, chemoembolisation, radiation therapy, radioembolisation, immunotherapy and other medical oncology treatments may also be used.

• Prostate Cancer: The prostate is a small gland in men, located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Malignant tumours that develop in this gland are called prostate cancer. Depending on the treatment, various health professionals, including urologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists, manage the process together. Medical oncology treatments can be used to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing.

• Lymphoma: Lymphoma is the term used for cancers that start in the lymphatic system. Lymphoma is divided into Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The main treatment options for lymphoma are chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can be used alone or in combination. These treatments can also be managed together with other medical oncology options.

What Is Medical Oncology Treatment?

Medical oncology is a type of cancer care delivered through chemotherapy, immunotherapy, pain management, nutritional therapy and psycho-oncology. When combined with other cancer treatments such as radiation oncology and surgical oncology, it can both make treatment easier to manage and help it be more effective. There are many different treatment options for cancer. These options are not limited to procedures targeting cancer cells. They also aim to regulate the patient's nutrition and help them go through this period more comfortably from a psychological point of view. Medical oncology is preferred so that the patient can go through cancer treatment in good mental and physical health. Cancer is not a disease that can be treated from a single angle. A person's psychological health and diet can affect this process positively, but they can also affect it negatively when no support is received. In addition, drug treatments used alongside surgery and radiation therapy help in managing the process. The treatments provided in the Medical Oncology Unit of our hospital are:

• Pain Management: Complementary approaches to pain relief can be integrated into cancer treatment at any stage. These complementary therapies support medical pain control methods. Many options can be used in pain management, such as relaxation techniques like meditation, physical therapies, acupuncture and massage. Although most cancer-related pain can be managed effectively with medication, non-pharmacological approaches are often effective when medication does not provide enough relief or when its side effects become a problem. In some cases where pain cannot be controlled, it can be stopped with neurosurgery.

• Nutrition and Diet: Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. When determining the diet the body needs, the type of cancer, the treatment methods and any side effects experienced are taken into account. Every cancer patient has different nutritional needs. Proper nutrition ensures that the body receives all the nutrients it needs to fight cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, managing nutrition correctly is important to help tissues heal and to fight infection.

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a medical treatment that uses the strength of the patient's own immune system against the disease. Cancer immunotherapy acts on the cells of the immune system so that they find, recognise and eliminate cancer cells. The way immunotherapy is applied may vary depending on the type, size and location of the cancer and whether it has spread.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of treatment in which suitable drugs are given into the bloodstream through a vein to stop the cancer from growing, spreading and coming back. These drugs can be given in cycles using a single drug or a combination of several drugs. Many drugs are available for cancer treatment. The doctor who specialises in treating cancer with medication is called a medical oncologist.

• Psycho-oncology: Cancer treatment can affect a person in many ways, including mental health, physical health and socio-economic situation. Psycho-oncology is also an important part of algology (pain medicine). It helps patients go through this process in a better state of mind. Being in a better psychological state can have a positive effect on treatment. This process can be supported with various therapies.

The Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Medical Oncology Unit is a department of specialised physicians focused on providing diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients. Our hospital has advanced facilities to help patients cope with the physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment and to give them access to the latest treatments, technologies and clinics. Medical oncology offers each patient the preferred treatment options so that they can go through the entire cancer journey with ease and be affected by it as little as possible. You can contact us for information about medical oncology treatments.

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