Medical Oncologist

Conditions Treated

• •Leukaemia — Cancer of blood-forming cells in bone marrow. Acute leukaemias need urgent chemotherapy, chronic types may be managed long-term.
• •Lymphoma — Cancer of the lymphatic system — Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Highly curable in many subtypes.
• •Lung Cancer — Leading cause of cancer death globally. Treatment has transformed with targeted therapy and immunotherapy for advanced disease.
• •Advanced Breast Cancer — Breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes, requiring systemic chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy.
• •Multiple Myeloma — Cancer of plasma cells in bone marrow causing bone destruction, kidney damage, and immune suppression.

Health Tips

• •Stay hydrated during chemotherapy
• •Practice good hygiene to prevent infections
• •Eat small frequent meals to manage nausea
• •Tell your doctor about ALL side effects
• •Don't use 'alternative cancer cures' instead of proven treatment

How to Prepare for Your Visit

• •Complete baseline investigations — blood counts, kidney and liver function, echocardiography if needed
• •Get a dental check-up — dental infections during chemotherapy can become serious
• •Discuss fertility preservation before starting treatment — sperm/egg banking should happen first
• •Arrange support for treatment days — bring a companion, as sessions can last 2-6 hours
• •Stay hydrated — drink 2-3 litres of water on chemotherapy days to protect kidneys
• •Take anti-nausea medications as prescribed — prevention is better than treating established nausea
• •Report fever above 100.4°F immediately — febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency during chemo
• •Eat small frequent meals — cold or room temperature foods are often better tolerated
• •Avoid crowded places for 7-14 days after each cycle when immunity is lowest
• •Monitor for mouth sores — use prescribed mouth rinses and soft bland diet
• •Keep a symptom diary to discuss at next visit — helps adjust supportive medications
• •Complete the full course of treatment — stopping early reduces effectiveness

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• •What are my treatment options and which do you recommend?
• •What are the expected side effects and how will they be managed?
• •Is there a clinical trial I might be eligible for?
• •What is the expected response rate and prognosis?
• •Will I lose my hair, and is it permanent?
• •Can I get genetic testing for my tumour?

When to See a Specialist

A Medical Oncologist prescribes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy for cancer treatment.

• •Cancer diagnosis requiring systemic treatment
• •Chemotherapy planning and administration
• •Immunotherapy evaluation
• •Cancer recurrence or progression
• •Second opinion on cancer treatment plan

Medical oncologists coordinate the overall cancer treatment plan, working with surgeons and radiation oncologists.