Language : English
The consultation is intended directly for the patient.
This consultation is intended for a layperson (for example, due to the unavailability of specialists in the patient's location) and it aims to direct the patient to the appropriate specialists, advise on the next steps for examinations that are suitable to undergo based on NGS results. The consultation also addresses the psychological and social aspects of the potential disease. The oncologist may recommend on next steps the patient should do to reach diagnosis.
At the same time, it provides space for questions and mutual communication between the doctor and the patient.
DISCLAMER: Remember that this consultation can in no way fully replace the attending physician. It is only an emergency option to quickly understand the results of molecular state testing of the organism. However, determining a diagnosis requires many other aspects that can only be adequately assessed by the examining physician. Personal patient's physician is essential to ensure that the patient is fully informed about their health condition, treatment options, and long-term care.
An oncologist is a doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancerous diseases. His main mission is to ensure patients receive the most effective care throughout the entire course of their oncological disease, from initial suspicion through diagnosis, treatment, to follow-up care and monitoring. Oncology is a multidisciplinary field, which means that an oncologist collaborates with other specialists, such as radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, geneticists, and other experts, to offer the patient comprehensive and personalized treatment.
The first step in an oncologist's work is to establish a diagnosis. To this end, he uses modern diagnostic methods such as imaging techniques (CT, MRI, PET), blood tests, biopsies, and, more recently, advanced genetic methods like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), which help identify genetic changes associated with the tumor. The goal is to precisely determine the type, location, and extent of the tumor and to identify which genetic changes could be targeted for treatment. Based on the diagnostic results, the oncologist determines the stage of the disease, which is crucial for deciding on the next steps.
Next comes the treatment planning, where the oncologist takes into account not only the nature of the tumor but also the overall health status of the patient, their age, and individual needs. Among the basic treatment methods that an oncologist works with are surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment, which includes chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted biological therapy, and immunotherapy. Modern oncology places great emphasis on personalized medicine, where treatment is tailored to the genetic profile of the tumor of a specific patient. For example, in patients with EGFR gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used, which are more effective for these patients than standard treatment.
The oncologist also plays an important role in supportive care, which includes alleviating treatment side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Common problems that patients struggle with include fatigue, pain, nausea, or psychological issues. Therefore, the oncologist often collaborates with palliative specialists, physiotherapists, and psychologists to provide comprehensive support to patients.
Equally important part of an oncologist's work is monitoring patients after treatment. Regular check-ups and monitoring are essential for the early detection of any potential disease recurrence (relapse) or for the long-term follow-up of patients in remission. Advanced methods, such as liquid biopsies for detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), allow for monitoring the patient's condition even more accurately than before.
The work of an oncologist is therefore complex, requiring both top-notch medical knowledge and the ability to communicate empathetically with patients who are facing one of the most difficult situations in their lives.
