All about Hematologist Oncologist
What is a Hematologist Oncologist?
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, blood diseases and malignancies in kids, teenagers, and adults is known as a hematologist oncologist.
What are the tasks of a Hematologist-Oncologist?
Although some may have further training in pediatric oncology or certain forms of blood malignancies, hematologist oncologists treat blood cancers in patients of all ages. They may treat several types of blood malignancies, such as:
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- several myelomas
How much education do hematologist oncologists have?
Years of study go into becoming a hematologist oncologist. Hematologist oncologists, like other doctors, must first complete a four-year college degree. They should major in pre-medicine or another science. Following graduation, their education and training may consist of:
- Finishing medical school
- Taking part in a hospital residency
- Finishing a three-year fellowship in a specialized area of hematology, such as pathology, pediatric hematology oncology, or hematology-oncology.
They take medical examinations after finishing a residency and fellowship in medicine. They are only eligible to begin working as a licensed doctor in hematology-oncology after passing those tests and receiving a medical license.
What forms of care do pediatric hematologist oncologists offer?
Pediatric hematologist oncologists can identify, manage, and treat the following conditions in kids and teenagers:
- Cancers such as lymphomas, leukemias, Blood cell diseases, such as those affecting platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells
- Disorders of bleeding and clotting
If you visit a hematologist doctor, it’s probably at the recommendation of your primary care physician or hematologist. Based on your symptoms, your primary care physician or hematologist may suspect blood cancer. They will direct you to a hematologist oncologist for confirmation and to get treatment suggestions.
Expectations at the Hematologist-Oncologist Visit
A hematologist-oncologist will evaluate your medical history, including family history and allergies, when you see them for the first time. Your vital signs, including your heart rate, blood pressure, and eyesight, will next be checked, followed by a physical examination. They will then go through the outcomes of your tests and talk about your treatment choices. You could be subjected to the following tests:
- Blood exams
- Biopsies
- Imaging tests
- Bone marrow tests
Treatment choices are determined by the results of these tests. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, blood transfusions (when blood from another person is inserted into your body), immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplants are a few examples of therapies.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a typical cancer treatment. To eradicate cancer cells from your body, medications are used. Depending on the kind of therapy, side effects may include tiredness and hair loss. In addition, after therapy is stopped, it may result in longer-lasting health issues.
Radiation treatment
Through the application of powerful energy bursts known as radiation to specific areas of your body, this therapy destroys cancer cells. Radiation therapy is a part of the treatment plans for about half of cancer patients.
You get various side effects depending on which body parts are undergoing radiation treatment. Radiation treatment might have a variety of side effects, including diarrhea, shortness of breath, and dry mouth.
Transplanting bone marrow
Your body’s damaged or ill blood cells are replaced by this technique. Transplanting bone marrow helps to increase the production of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. You might have one of the following forms of bone marrow transplant:
Autologous transplant.
Your body’s healthy blood stem cells are used in this transplant. This has the benefit of eliminating concerns regarding blood cell compatibility. Your doctor will remove the blood cells before treatment and freeze them for transplantation after recovery.
The allogeneic transplant
This transplant uses healthy stem cells from another person. The cells must be compatible with your body in some way.
When You Leave
You’ll probably continue consulting with a hematologist oncologist after your initial appointment. You will collaborate with a hematologist oncologist throughout your therapy. They will be a key member of your medical team and available to assist with any questions you may have during your treatment. Hematologist oncologists are medical professionals with a focus on blood diseases, blood-producing organs, and blood. Blood tests will likely be required if you have been sent to a hematologist to determine whether a blood problem is the source of your symptoms. The most frequent examinations count your blood cells, assess the enzymes and proteins in your blood, and examine your blood coagulation.
Hematologist oncologists are typically members of the medical team for transplant patients who give or receive bone marrow or stem cells. Working with a hematologist is another option if you get immunotherapy or chemotherapy while receiving cancer treatment. Internal medicine and the study of blood diseases are two primary fields of study for hematologists.
