Cancer Care / Oncology

What Is Oncology?

Oncology refers to the study of cancer. It is a specialty of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of people who are suspected of cancer or are dealing with cancer. Oncology involves medical oncology, surgical oncology, hematology-oncology, radiation oncology, gynecology oncology, preventive medicine, pediatric oncology, palliative medicine, and much more.

Who Is An Oncologist?

An oncologist is a healthcare expert who holds training in the diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from cancer. They are generally a part of a multidisciplinary team, involving radiologists, pathologists, palliative care specialists, and nurse oncologists. There are oncologists that specialize in treating specific types of cancer. Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer using chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. Surgical oncologists are involved in removing the cancerous tissue during the surgery. Whereas, a radiation oncologist treats cancer using radiotherapy.

What Conditions Do Oncologists Treat?

Oncologists at Marengo Asia Hospitals hold extensive experience in diagnosing and treating several types of cancer, including:

• Lung cancer
• Liver cancer
• Biliary cancers
• Pancreatic cancer
• Brain tumors
• Head and neck cancers
• Colon cancer
• Sarcomas
• Melanoma
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Rectal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Other gynecological cancers
• Prostate cancer

What Are The Various Tests Performed To Diagnose Cancer?

There is no particular diagnostic test that can diagnose cancer. Your healthcare provider generally begins by asking about your personal and family medical history. They may conduct a physical examination, lab tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy for better diagnosis. A biopsy is generally the best and the sure-shot way to detect cancer. It helps in accurate diagnosis by allowing for the microscopic investigation of tissue. Here are some common tests and procedures utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer:

• Blood chemistry test: This test gauges the quantity of substances that are released into the blood by various organs and tissues. These substances include metabolites, fats, sugars, electrolytes, and much more. The levels of these substances (high or low) indicate the presence of a disease or side effects of a treatment.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure that involves extracting a small tissue from the cancerous area. The tissue is then examined to know if cancer cells are present. There are various ways of conducting a biopsy, which include: needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, or endoscopic biopsy.
• Tumor marker tests: These tests compute the substances that are made by cancer cells in the body. Tumor markers are developed by both normal cells and cancer cells, however, the quantity produced differs in each case. The number of tumor markers produced by cancer cells is much more than that produced by normal cells. These tests are highly effective in diagnosing cancer and deciding the course of treatment.
• Bone scan: Imaging tests are also very useful in diagnosing cancer. In these tests, pictures of organs are taken that help the healthcare expert see if a tumor is present. A bone scan is an imaging scan that helps detect the damage in bones. This scan can help diagnose bone cancer or determine whether cancer has reached bones from another body part (called metastatic bone tumors).
• PET scan: This is also a type of imaging test that helps in producing clear and 3-D pictures of organs inside the body to determine the presence of cancer. In a PET scan images are produced of the area that absorbs glucose. Cancer cells absorb more glucose than normal cells, hence cancer cells can be easily identified in this imaging test.

How Is Cancer Treated?

There are various treatment options for cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, stem cell or bone marrow treatments, targeted therapies, etc. However, the treatment of cancer chosen by the doctor depends on various factors such as the extent of cancer, the type of cancer, age, and overall health of the patient, and other individual factors.

Any treatment option that is chosen by the healthcare provider, be it surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, can be a primary cancer treatment. However, surgery is the most common type of treatment for cancer. During the surgical procedure, the cancerous tissue and the surrounding tissue are excised from the site. This treatment option is typically adopted when cancer is localized and has not stretched to other body parts.

Palliative care also plays a huge role in the treatment of cancer. This form of treatment focuses on enhancing the quality of life of the patient by improving the symptoms and stress of a grave condition like cancer. Palliative care not only enhances the condition of the patient but also of the family by providing them with emotional support. It helps the patient throughout their cancer treatment journey, regardless of their stage. This care is provided alongside other treatment options for cancer.

Why Choose Marengo Asia Hospitals For Cancer Care?

Marengo Asia Hospitals may be chosen for cancer care for several reasons:

• Specialized cancer care services: The oncology team at Marengo Asia Hospitals offers specialized cancer care services to its patients including accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and supportive care. The patients at our hospital can get the best standard of care from a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other healthcare experts.
• Advanced healthcare facilities: Our hospital has cutting-edge equipment for cancer diagnosis and treatment. These facilities include robotic-assisted biopsy systems, radiation therapy machines, CAR-T cell therapy, infusion pumps, and several surgical suites equipped for oncological procedures.
• Expertise and experience: Our oncology team has expert doctors who are highly trained and have extensive years of experience in performing the most complex cancer surgeries. Marengo Asia Hospitals healthcare specialists specialize in treating all types of cancer such as skin cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, uterine (endometrial) cancer, and many more. Their substantial experience results in providing patients with personalized treatment plans according to their needs and diagnoses.
• Comprehensive support services: Our hospital not only provides effective medical treatment but also offers diverse support services to our cancer patients and their families, which include emergency department (ED), psychological counseling, health education, pain management, occupational therapy, nutritional support, and pastoral care.