Undergraduate education:
- Earn a bachelor's degree, typically in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or a related discipline. The specific coursework requirements will vary depending on the institution, but relevant courses may include biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, calculus, and statistics.
- Most medical schools require applicants to complete a minimum of 90 semester hours of coursework. Some schools also require or recommend specific prerequisite courses, such as English, social sciences, and humanities courses.
Medical school:
- After completing your bachelor's degree, you'll need to attend medical school. Medical school typically takes four years and includes a mix of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical rotations.
- During medical school, you'll study a wide range of medical topics, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical medicine. You'll also gain hands-on experience in different medical specialties through clinical rotations, which may include exposure to oncology and other relevant areas.
Residency training:
- After medical school, you'll need to complete a residency program in internal medicine or pediatrics, which typically takes three years. During residency, you'll receive further clinical training and gain experience managing a variety of medical conditions, including cancer.
- Residency programs typically involve rotations in different medical specialties, such as internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, and oncology. You'll also have opportunities to work with patients and gain practical experience in diagnosing and treating various diseases.
Fellowship training:
- After completing residency, those interested in specializing in medical oncology will need to complete a fellowship program in medical oncology. Fellowships typically last two to three years and provide specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- During fellowship, you'll gain expertise in cancer biology, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and other treatment modalities. You'll also work with cancer patients and conduct clinical research in the field.
By successfully completing undergraduate studies, medical school, residency training, and a fellowship in medical oncology, you can become an oncologist. In total, this educational pathway typically consists of approximately 12 to 14 years of postsecondary education and training, leading to a medical degree (MD) and board certification in medical oncology.