According to MedicineNet.com, the word oncology is derived from the Greek onglos, which means "a bulk or mass, or later, a tumor," and logos, which means "a study or treatise." Together, these terms mean the study of tumors.
Clinical oncology includes three types of treatment: medical, surgical and radiation. Medical oncology relates to therapies such as chemotherapy, in which drugs are used for treatment. Surgical oncology relates to the surgical removal of tumors. Radiation oncology deals with radiotherapy treatment.
Oncology deals with the entire treatment process for cancer patients, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care.
Oncologists use different methods of diagnosis. They take the patient's medical history and consider symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue and fever. The oncologist then uses methods such as biopsy, X-rays and blood tests to diagnose the illness.
Some oncologists are trained to deal with specific types of cancers. These include gynecologic oncologists, who specialize in cancers specific to women, and pediatric oncologists, who are trained to deal with cancer in children.