A brief intro to Oncologists
Who is an Oncologist?
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. Doctors who specialize in the field of oncology are called oncologists and are responsible for saving thousands of lives every year. With 150, 000 people diagnosed with cancer annually, the demand for qualified oncologists is high..
Cancer (کینسر) can strike people from any age and anywhere in the body. Therefore these specialists have to cater to a wide range of patients. Moreover, the prognosis of the patient also varies, depending on the type and stage of the disease. In terminal cases, oncologists help in the management of the disease, as treatment is impossible.
Some oncologists are also trained in hematology (ہیماتولوجی), which is the study of blood, its disorders and associated structures like bone marrow. Hence, not all patients who visit an oncologist have cancer.
When should you see an Oncologist?
With conditions like cancer that can rapidly spread, timing is crucial. Hence, anyone suspecting cancer should immediately visit an oncologist. Patients also visit cancer specialists when their physician refers them to one or when they are diagnosed with the illness.
The following are some of the more common signs of cancer:
- Blood in Cough
- Blood in Stool
- Unexplained Low Blood Count
- Breast Lump/Discharge
- Testicle Lump
What are an Oncologist’s main areas of concern?
Oncologists (کینسر کے سپیشلسٹ ڈاکٹر) are concerned with the diagnosis of the cancer which can be a complicated task in cases where it has metastasized. They also offer treatment and care to patients. Moreover, even after being cancer free, they have to keep in track of the progress of the patients as there is always a chance of relapse.
They also help patients understand their ailments and treatment options. Cancer can be extremely taxing for the patient, so oncologists also cater to the emotional wellbeing of their patient via consistent support. Cancer specialists offer palliative care to terminally ill patients. It involves making them as comfortable as possible and catering to the physical and emotional needs of the patients.
What are the most common cancers in Pakistan?
The number of cancer cases in Pakistan increase annually due to poor health infrastructure, lack of awareness regarding screening and bad environmental and dietary practices.
Women are disproportionately affected due to the higher chances of female cancer, and that too in the face of very orthodox social circumstances which bars their access to health and screening centers.
Listed below are the most common cancers for men in Pakistan:
| Cancer |
Percentage of Patients |
| Lymphoma |
18% |
| Head and Neck |
13% |
| Brain |
12% |
| Lung |
12% |
| Leukemia |
9% |
| Prostate |
8% |
| Urinary Bladder |
7% |
| MUO |
7% |
| Larynx |
7% |
| Colorectal |
7% |
Below is a list of the most common cancers for women in Pakistan:
| Cancer |
Percentage of Patients |
| Breast |
55% |
| Ovary |
8% |
| Cervix |
8% |
| Head and Neck |
5% |
| Lymphoma |
5% |
| Thyroid |
4% |
| Uterus |
4% |
| Brain |
4% |
| MUO |
4% |
| Leukemia |
3% |
How to become an Oncologist in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, one has to complete the 5-year M.B.B.S program followed by a year of house job to be registered with the respective authority. After that, they have to give a series of exams conducted by College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan alongside the requisite training in order to complete their fellowship in Oncology.
What kinds of Oncologists are there?
There are several subspecialities of oncology. These include:
- Interventional oncology: Experts of this field make use of interventional procedures to remove tumors or perform different therapies for treatment.
- Gastrointestinal Oncology: Another type of cancers are the gastrointestinal ones. Common GI cancers include colorectal, pancreatic, esophagogastric and hepatocellular carcinoma. Specialist doctors diagnose and treat these cancers.
- Geriatric oncology: Experts of this field cater exclusively to the cancer patients aged 65 years and above.
- Gynecological oncology: Female reproductive system is also very vulnerable to cancers. These include cancers affecting uterus, breasts, cervix, ovaries, vagina and vulva. The specialist gynecologist oncologist diagnose and treat these cancers.
- Hematology-oncology: Specialists of this field deal with blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma.
- Musculoskeletal oncology: Oncologists specializing in this field diagnose and treat cancers affecting bones and soft tissue.
- Neuro-oncology: These experts dispense treatment for the cancers that affect the nervous system, including brain and spinal cord.
- Pediatric oncology: Cancers affecting children are dealt exclusively by pediatric oncologists.
- Uro-oncology: Cancers of the renal system are fairly common. These include prostate, urinary bladder, testicular cancers etc.
What are Oncologists called in Pakistan?
The commonly used names for oncologists include:
- Cancer Specialist
- Cancer Doctor
- Mahir-e-sartan
- ماہر سرطان
- کینسر کے سپیشلسٹ ڈاکٹر
- کینسر کے ماہر
- سپیشلسٹ کینسر
