Medical Oncology

Medical Oncology: concerns itself with the diagnosis and the management of the treatment of cancer. A medical oncologist will determine what drugs to utilize, their dosage, and how often they are to be administered.

Generally, these physicians will consult with radiation therapist and surgeons in-order for chemotherapy to have its best chance of success for the patient.

Quick Facts

Competitiveness: Moderate

Length of training: 5 years

Number of fellowship programs: 28

Number of fellows in training: 199

Number in U.S. currently Board Certified in specialty: 7,992

First year median compensation: $173,000

Mean hours per week spent in patient care activities: 53

Residency Information

You will complete a 3 year residency in internal medicine followed by a 2 year fellowship in medical oncology.

Why Choose

Many doctors enter this specialty because they like the challenge of trying to alter a patient's illness, while others state they believe oncology is a neglected area of medicine. Against popular belief, most do not enter oncology because of a family member who had suffered from cancer.

Typical Schedule

A medical oncologist will work on average 10 to 12 hours a day and see 20 to 25 patients. Days may begin at 7:30 AM at the hospital by rounding on patients and then returning to the office to see new consultations or follow-up on patients who need either an evaluation or chemotherapy. Many times there will be full days which are devoted to staying at the hospital and taking care of the patients located there.

If You're Interested

A key characteristic for this specialty is the ability to handle defeat graciously. You will constantly be called upon to make life and death decisions and have very close patient contact. As medicine continues to advance and new drugs come to market, there is hope for more successes but it is essential that you can adapt to change.

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