Specialty5 min read
Oncology
Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating cancer and caring for people with it; types include surgical, medical and radiation oncologists.
According to the ACS: oncology is "the study of cancer" and "the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and care of people with it". According to the ACS there are three main types: surgical ("treats with surgery"), medical ("treats with medicines including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy") and radiation ("treats with radiation therapy"). MedlinePlus summarises it as "cancer treatment".
The NCI defines cancer as "a disease in which some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body", and states that most people receive a combination of treatments such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiation. According to the ACS the care team includes, besides doctors, oncology nurses, radiologists, pathologists, genetic counsellors, social workers, dietitians and mental health specialists. The NCI describes a multidisciplinary team approach in its professional guide on pancreatic cancer. This page does not cover treatment guidelines for the cancers themselves; the appropriate treatment is decided with the treating team.
In one minute123
- What is it?
- The specialty of diagnosing cancer, treating it and caring for people who have it.
- Who is usually affected?
- People diagnosed with or suspected of having cancer, usually referred after initial assessment.
- Acute or chronic?
- Diagnosis and staging, then a treatment plan (surgery and/or medicines and/or radiation) with a multidisciplinary team, and follow-up.
- Main symptoms
- Varies according to the type of cancer; this page does not list symptoms.
- Red flags?
- This page does not list danger signs specific to oncology; any worrying or persistent symptoms call for medical assessment.
- Preventable?
- This page does not cover prevention advice; the NCI states that causes of genetic changes include errors in cell division, environmental damage to DNA such as tobacco and ultraviolet radiation, and inherited mutations.
What is it?
"The study of cancer" and "the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and care of people with it" (ACS). The NCI defines cancer as "a disease in which some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body". MedlinePlus summarises it as "cancer treatment".
Conditions it covers
According to the ACS: surgical treats with surgery, including removing part or all of a solid tumour and the surrounding tissue; medical treats with medicines including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy; and radiation treats with high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. The NCI lists the types of treatment: chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplant, hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy, and most people receive a combination of them.
Related pages on this site: pancreatic cancer, general surgery, radiology and the immune system. According to the NCI's guide on pancreatic cancer, a "comprehensive multidisciplinary team" is considered, surgeons perform resections, medical oncologists give chemotherapy and radiation oncologists provide radiation. The ACS lists radiologists among the care team. The NCI states that immunotherapy "helps your immune system fight cancer". The references of this page do not name general surgery but "surgeons" generally, so the link to it is general and not exclusive.
Common tests and procedures
The NCI lists "biomarker testing" among the tools that may help you and your doctor choose cancer treatment. The ACS lists radiology and pathology among the care team. This page does not cover lists of diagnostic tests or staging criteria.
When to see one
According to the NCI (the pancreatic cancer guide) "referral to a high-volume centre" is considered. The ACS states that the team also includes oncology nurses and patient navigators. This is a detail for pancreatic cancer only and is not generalised.
Referral to the specialist is usually decided by the primary care provider according to the condition (MedlinePlus). This page does not cover detailed referral criteria.
When do you need urgent help?
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
Questions for your doctor
- What is the type and stage of the cancer?
- What are the treatment options, and their benefits, risks and side effects?
- Who are the members of the care team, and who coordinates between them?
- Would biomarker testing or clinical trials help?
- How do I manage symptoms during treatment, and when do I call the team?
References
- 1American Cancer Society. What is oncology?. www.cancer.org/cancer/preparing-for-treatment/what-is-oncology.htmlEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 2NCI. Types of cancer treatment. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/typesHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 3NCI. What is cancer?. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancerHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 4MedlinePlus. Types of health care providers. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 5NCI. Pancreatic cancer treatment (PDQ, health professional). www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/hp/pancreatic-treatment-pdqHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.