What are the most common types of cancer treated by medical oncologists?
Medical oncologists are skilled in treating a wide range of cancers. Some of the most common types of cancer treated by medical oncologists include:
Breast cancer: Medical oncologists play a crucial role in the comprehensive treatment of breast cancer, including the use of chemotherapy.
Lung cancer: Medical oncologists are involved in the diagnosis and management of lung cancer, employing treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
Colorectal cancer: Medical oncologists are often involved in the multidisciplinary treatment of colorectal cancer, utilising chemotherapy and targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Prostate cancer: Medical oncologists provide specialised care for patients with prostate cancer, employing hormone therapy and other targeted treatments tailored to the individual patient.
Ovarian cancer: Medical oncologists play a critical role in the treatment of ovarian cancer, using surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies to effectively manage the disease.
Leukemia: Medical oncologists specialise in the treatment of leukemia, utilising chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and sometimes bone marrow transplantation, to achieve remission and improve long-term outcomes.
It's important to note that medical oncologists are trained to treat various other types of cancer as well, and their expertise extends to a wide range of malignancies. The specific treatment approach for each patient is individualised based on the type of cancer, its stage, and various patient-specific factors.
Do Medical Oncologists perform surgery?
Medical oncologists typically do not perform surgery. Medical oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer using systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy. Medical oncologists are primarily involved in the administration and oversight of these treatments, along with the coordination of care for cancer patients.
What documents to carry on my first visit to a Medical oncologist?
When visiting a medical oncologist for the first time, it's essential to have the following documents and information readily available:
Relevant Medical Records: This includes diagnostic reports, pathology reports, imaging studies (such as CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans), and treatment histories associated with your cancer diagnosis.
List of Medications: A detailed list of all medications you are currently taking, encompassing prescription medications, оver-the-counter drugs, as well as any supplements or herbal remedies.
Insurance Information: Bring your insurance card and any pertinent details regarding your health insurance coverage, along with documentation of any prior authorizations needed for specific treatments.
Personal Identification: Carry a valid photo ID and any necessary personal identification to expedite registration and confirmation of your identity.
Contact Details: Make sure to provide updated contact information, including your address, phone number, and emergency contact details.
Family History: If possible, supply a succinct family medical history, particularly as it pertains to cancer or other relevant health conditions
Could kidney stones harm the organs?
Yes, but not often. If kidney stones repeatedly or seriously infect the kidney, or if they block the kidneys for an extended period of time, they can harm people. If some stones are not treated, the kidney may stop functioning.
What is the treatment for balance disorders?
The treatment for each dizziness case differs according to diagnosis. This may range from Physical therapy, Medical therapy and rarely Surgery. The treatment strategy will be decided based on the diagnostic criteria and guidelines formulated by CCBS (Classification committee for Barany Society).
What are the major causes of dizziness?
Causes for dizziness could be due to following causes:
Peripheral: BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), Labyrinthitis, Meniere’s disease, Acute Vestibulopathy, Vestibular Paroxysmia, Presbyvestibulopathy.
Central: Vestibular Migraine, Posterior circulation strokes, Degenerative diseases of brainstem & cerebellum, Multiple Sclerosis. Medical: Orthostatic intolerance or hypotension, Hypoglycemia, Electrolyte imbalance.
Functional: PPPD (Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness), MDDS (Mal de Debarquement Syndrome).
How are balance disorders diagnosed?
An expert doctor who is trained in Neurotology will have a thorough session with the patient suffering from dizziness for obtaining history of illness, detailed subjective clinical examination followed by objective examination with the help of instruments like Videonystagmogram, Audiometric assessment and if needed Imaging like MRI or CT. Cross consultation with other specialties might also require for reaching proper diagnosis at times. This strategy helps in diagnosing entire spectrum of complex balance disorders with ease and without error.
What are the major dizziness symptoms?
A patient complaining of dizziness can be referring to any of the following symptoms.
Vertigo – A condition in which the person feels like they or the environment around them is moving or spinning. A vertigo episode may range from a few seconds to minutes or for hours or days.
Disequilibrium or Unsteadiness – A symptom in which patient feels off balance during head movements or swaying tendency during active body movements.
Presyncope – A near fainting episode with black-outs or light headedness
Syncope – A fainting episode with transient loss of consciousness and with a spontaneous recovery.
Drop attacks – A sudden dizziness resulting in fall but without loss of consciousness.
Can I resume normal activities after laparoscopic hernia repair?
Your surgeon will provide guidance on when you can return to regular activities, including work and exercise. The timeline varies depending on your specific procedure and individual factors.
How long will I need to stay in the hospital after laparoscopic hernia repair?
In many cases, laparoscopic hernia repair is performed as an outpatient procedure, and patients can return home on the same day.
