A medical oncologist is a doctor who has received special training in the treatment of cancer. He or she only sees patients after they have been diagnosed with cancer and often takes the role of team leader monitoring all treatments and therapies and making referrals to other specialists as necessary. Radiation oncologists are doctors who have additional training in the use of radiation therapy. When radiation therapy is required, the radiation oncologist determines the dosage and scheduling of treatments, manages side effects, and all other aspects of radiation therapy. The radiation therapy itself is delivered by a radiation technologist.
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays that cause tumors to shrink or be destroyed.
Surgeons are doctors who perform surgery to remove as much cancerous tissue as they can. Some surgeons specialize in operating on different areas of the body. For example, some surgeons only operate on the lungs. Brain surgeons usually only operate on the brain. Oncology nurses have specialized knowledge and skill in giving chemotherapy and in providing nursing care to cancer patients.