What is the medical term for oncology
Andrew Campbell
Updated on April 02, 2026
Oncology is the study of cancer. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer. An oncologist may also be called a cancer specialist. The field of oncology has 3 major areas based on treatments: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.
Why is cancer called oncology?
The term oncology literally means a branch of science that deals with tumours and cancers. The word “onco” means bulk, mass, or tumor while “-logy” means study.
What does the medical term PHAG O )- mean?
Phago-: Eating, devouring. From the Greek “phago” meaning “to eat.”
What does the medical term SARC o mean?
Sarco- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “flesh.” It is often used in medicine and biology.What is the difference between oncology and cancer?
Oncology is the study of cancer. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer.
How many types of oncology are there?
The field of oncology has three main divisions-medical, surgical and radiation.
What is the difference between hematology and oncology?
Hematologists specialize in diagnosing and treating blood diseases. Oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancers. A hematologist oncologist specializes in both. You might see a hematologist oncologist if you have blood cancer or suspected blood cancer.
What does chromo mean in medical terms?
Chromo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “color.” It is used in many medical and scientific terms. Chromo- comes from the Greek chrôma, meaning “color” and is the source of the words chroma and chrome, among many others.What is Angio medical term?
Angio- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “vessel” or “container.” It is used in medical and scientific terms. In anatomy, angio- specifically refers to blood and lymphatic vessels. In botany, angio- specifically refer to seed vessels.
What does Lymphangi mean in medical terms?Combining forms meaning the lymphatic vessels.
Article first time published onIs an oncologist a surgeon?
A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who specializes in performing biopsies and removing cancerous tumors and surrounding tissue, as well as other cancer-related operations. A radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy to shrink or destroy cancer cells or to ease cancer-related symptoms.
What is it called when cancer spreads through the body?
The process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body is called metastasis. When observed under a microscope and tested in other ways, metastatic cancer cells have features like that of the primary cancer and not like the cells in the place where the metastatic cancer is found.
What is a cancer surgeon called?
Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Are most hematologists also oncologists?
Hematologists work with blood-related conditions, including several types of cancer. They use a variety of tests and treatments for these issues. Many hematologists also receive training in oncology, which is the branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating cancer.
Why would I be referred to a hematologist?
Reasons include if you have or might have: Anemia, or low red blood cells. Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) Leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma (cancers in your bone marrow, lymph nodes, or white blood cells)
What does oncologist look for in blood test?
Samples collected for cancer blood tests are analyzed in a lab for signs of cancer. The samples may show cancer cells, proteins or other substances made by the cancer. Blood tests can also give your doctor an idea of how well your organs are functioning and if they’ve been affected by cancer.
How long does it take to get into an oncologist?
Oncologists typically need a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school, which takes 4 years to complete, and, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs. Medical schools are highly competitive.
What is the difference between medical oncology and clinical oncology?
For physicians there are two specialties, ‘medical’ and ‘clinical’ oncology. Medical oncology focuses on drug treatments for cancer including chemotherapy, hormones and biological agents. Clinical oncology involves giving the drug treatments but also using radiotherapy, often as a combined approach.
Can carcinoma be cured?
Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma can be cured when found early and treated properly. Today, many treatment options are available, and most are easily performed at a doctor’s office.
What does the prefix Chrono mean?
Chrono- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “time.” It is used in some scientific and medical terms.
What does Megaly mean in medical terms?
The combining form -megaly is used like a suffix meaning “irregular enlargement” of an organ or part of the body. It is used in many medical terms, especially in pathology.
What is a radiation DR called?
If your cancer can be treated with radiation, you will be referred to a radiation oncologist — a doctor who specializes in treating patients with radiation therapy. Your radiation oncologist will work with your primary doctor and other cancer specialists, such as surgeons and medical oncologists, to oversee your care.
What is the difference between a surgical oncologist and a medical oncologist?
There are three main types: A medical oncologist will treat your cancer with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. A radiation oncologist will treat your cancer with radiation therapy. A surgical oncologist uses surgery to remove tumors.
What is the difference between an oncologist and a radiologist?
The radiation oncologist determines the delivery method and dosage of radiation therapy to be provided to a patient. What does a radiologist do? A radiologist specializes in using medical imaging techniques to diagnose and treat different conditions, including cancer.
Which cancers are most likely to metastasize?
- Breast.
- Prostate.
- Lung.
- Kidney.
- Thyroid.
How do you know if cancer has spread to lymph nodes?
- lump or swelling in your neck, under your arm, or in your groin.
- swelling in your stomach (if the cancer spreads to your liver)
- shortness of breath (if the cancer spreads to the lungs)
- pain.
Can a tumor grow overnight?
They emerge at night, while we sleep unaware, growing and spreading out as quickly as they can. And they are deadly. In a surprise finding that was recently published in Nature Communications, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers showed that nighttime is the right time for cancer to grow and spread in the body.
What is the difference between benign and malignant?
Tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors tend to grow slowly and do not spread. Malignant tumors can grow rapidly, invade and destroy nearby normal tissues, and spread throughout the body.