Oncology (Cancer) - Overview

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What is oncology?

Oncology is a branch of medicine that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer. The main divisions of oncology are:

Medical oncology
Radiation oncology
Surgical oncology

An oncologist may also be called a cancer specialist.

Oncologists will design appropriate treatment based on:

The type of cancer diagnosed
The location of the cancer
The stage of the cancer
Individual health, needs and preferences

The goal of treatment is to remove the cancer cells from the body and prevent the cancer from spreading.

Types of oncologists

Throughout the course of your cancer treatment, you could see different types of oncologists:

Medical oncologists treat cancer using medications such as chemotherapy, targeted treatment or immunotherapy
Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiotherapy
Surgical oncologists specialise in the surgical removal of tumours and may perform certain types of biopsies for cancer diagnosis

Types of cancer conditions

There are four main types of oncological conditions (cancer):

Carcinomas begin in the skin or tissues that cover the surface of internal organs and glands
Sarcomas start in the tissues that support and connect parts of the body
Leukemias start in the blood-producing organs and affects the blood
Lymphomas begin in the lymph nodes and affects the blood

Benign vs malignant tumours

A tumour is a mass of cells that serves no purpose in the function of the body.

A benign tumour is non-cancerous. It is made up of cells that will not invade other tissues and organs of the body, although it may grow abnormally.

A malignant tumour is another name for cancer. It is composed of cells that invade or spread to other parts of the body, either by directly growing into neighbouring organs or tissues, or by spreading to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system (metastasising).

Our approach

Mount Elizabeth Hospitals offer comprehensive and personalised care for patients with cancer.

Working in multidisciplinary teams and armed with modern technology, well-appointed facilities, we take an evidence-based, holistic approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Our specialists span the spectrum of cancer care:

Cancer screening
Medical oncology
Paediatric oncology
Palliative care
Radiation oncology

We are supported by the Parkway Cancer Centre and the Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant Centre at Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital.

Why choose Mount Elizabeth Hospitals?

Mount Elizabeth Hospitals work closely with Parkway Cancer Centre to provide a suite of cancer treatments for our patients in Singapore and from the region. Our multidisciplinary team consists of skilled doctors, nurses, counsellors and paramedical professionals.

We are committed to help you achieve optimal clinical outcomes and win the fight against cancer.

Related Conditions

This page has been reviewed by our medical content reviewers.

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