Radiation oncology

major portion of healthcare expenditures. About one in every three people will develop cancer in their lifetime and over one half will require radiation as part of their treatment. Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer and other diseases (including benign ones). It is one of the three primary specialties (the other two being surgical and medical oncology), involved in the treatment of cancer. Radiation can be administered as a curative modality, either on its own or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. It may also be used for palliative purposes, to relieve symptoms in patients with incurable cancers. In some countries (excluding the United States), radiotherapy and chemotherapy are controlled by a single oncologist who is a “clinical oncologist.” Radiation oncologists work closely with other physicians before, during, and after radiation therapy treatments, to maximize the effectiveness of the radiation. Specifically, these physicians include surgical oncologists, interventional radiologists, internal medicine subspecialists, and medical oncologists, as well…

I worked a variety of jobs after graduating high school with no clear vision of what I wanted to do long term and furthermore never considered a health care profession. In a way I might say it happened by accident. I moved to a new city and acquired employment through a staffing agency as a receptionist in an orthopedic surgeon’s office, this is where I found my passion. I truly enjoyed working with patients and at the age of 25 made the decision to pursue my education full time. I was…

The Heartland Cancer Center is an outpatient health care facility located in a convenient community setting. We offer external beam radiation therapy services using the most advanced equipment and techniques for both cancerous and benign conditions. External beam (NCI, 2015) radiation therapy involves delivering a high-energy x-ray beam produced by a linear accelerator. The beam is a patient specific customized treatment field that takes into account the size and shape of the tumor. By…

Oncology Nurse As a nurse in Oncology, one can specialize in several fields such as gynecological oncology, radiation oncology, medical research oncology, pediatric oncology, hematology as well as surgical oncology (Watson, Takahashi, & Futreal 2014). The Oncology nurse makes use of the medical procedures treatment such as as chemotherapy and a nurse working in gynecological oncology assists in addressing the cancer issues that affects the reproductive organs in females. The area of…

Introduction Oncology services in the United States are rising dramatically. In 2014, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 20.3 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer. A study performed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported that the number of individuals diagnosed with cancer will increase 55% by 2020, and that oncology visits will increase from 38 million in 2005 to 57 million in 2020 (Warren, Mariotto, Meekins, Topor, & Brown, 2008). As a…

The commonly known aberrant or remote impacts of Cancer on the sensory system are the neurologic paraneoplastic disorders (Giglio, 2010). Cancer can likewise bring about a hypercoagulable state creating cerebrovascular dysfunction. Treatment of cancer can have neurological inconveniences (Giglio, 2010). The commonest of these intricacies are radiation-induced damage to the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves and chemotherapy-affected peripheral neuropathy. The suppressant impact of cancer and…

Emily Foster February 16, 2015 Radiation therapists are an integral part of the oncology team. Along with using radiation to destroy cancer or other diseases, they offer compassion and faith to people fighting. Radiation therapy would be an extremely fulfilling career choice. Radiation therapists are able to begin the process of recovery for many people. The one on one connection with patients combined with the impact a radiation therapist has on their life will inspire me on a daily basis to…

Oncological physicians are qualified to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancerous tumors. Within the field, there are 3 fundamental branches: surgical oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Their job is to maintain records, supervise work staff, and use diagnostic procedures to determine if one has cancer. Oncologists also have to advise some patients with unique cases about clinical trials in order to approach and treat certain illnesses through further research. They also have to…

an Oncology nurse practitioner for the Cancer Specialists and Research Institute in Fort Myers, FL, “Since 1950, cancer-related mortality rates have decreased in younger individuals but increased for individuals aged 65 years or older” (Cope 2015). The older adult is at a higher risk for cancer, and other serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pulmonary disease. How is it treated, and the stages of care: The cancer treatment options depend on the type and stage of…

Cancer Medicine (Oncology) Cancer cells arise from different normal cells, thus when the normal cells become abnormal, it allows the cancer cells to grow out of control. Cancers can start almost anywhere in the human body, it can occur in any tissue and at any time of life, but mostly, elders have the highest risk. Cancers are called neoplasm because neoplasm is new growths that arise from normal tissue. Furthermore, there are two different characteristics of neoplasm: benign and…