Differences Between Medical and Surgical Oncologists

Oncologists are physicians who diagnose and treat cancer. While both medical and surgical oncologists work toward the same goal of caring for cancer patients, their roles and responsibilities differ. Kolkata is emerging as a medical hub. There are various famous different-different oncologists in kolkata at HCG Eko Cancer Center Kolkata.

Training and Education

Medical oncologists complete medical school followed by a 3-year internal medicine residency. They then undergo 2-3 years of additional subspecialty training in medical oncology and cancer care.

Surgical oncologists first complete medical school and general surgery training. This is a 5-year residency focused on operative procedures. They then complete an additional 2-3 year surgical oncology fellowship gaining expertise in cancer-related operations.

Specialties

Medical oncologists tend to focus on systemic therapies to treat cancer, including:

• Prescribing chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs
• Monitoring patient response and adjusting dosages
• Managing side effects of medications
• Conducting research on new cancer drugs

Surgical oncologists specialize in the operative treatment of cancer including:

• Performing biopsies to diagnose cancers
• Operating to remove malignant tumours
• Determining if surgery is the best option for an individual patient
• Providing palliative surgical care to improve quality of life

Care Process

Medical oncologists in kolkata oversee the coordination of the patient's complete care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. They refer patients to specialists like surgeons, radiation oncologists, and others required for comprehensive cancer treatment.

Surgical oncologists focus specifically on the role of surgical procedures in cancer care. They determine when operations should be performed to diagnose, stage, or treat cancers. They perform pre-operative and post-operative care focused on the surgical intervention.

While their expertise differs, medical and surgical oncologists work collaboratively to create integrated treatment plans. Their combined knowledge and skills provide optimal individualized care for cancer patients.