Gainesville Oncology

Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with cancer. Among the most common types are breast, lung, prostate and colorectal. Doctors in the Gainesville area who specialize in oncology provide the latest in diagnostic procedures, treatment options and follow-up care.

Diagnosis

The initial diagnostic procedures used in determining if cancer is present are the physical examination as well as a listing of the patient's symptoms. If no clear determination can be made from these procedures, then different types of tests can be ordered, depending on what type of tumor is suspected. There are a wide range of procedures such as x-rays, colonoscopies, PAP smears, mammography, MRI's (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans, to name several. Often a biopsy is needed to confirm the presence or absence of cancer. This involves the removal from the patient of a small sample of tissue containing the suspected cells.

Treatment Options

As with diagnostic procedures, there are a wide array of treatment options available. Probably the most well-known treatments for cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and cryosurgery. Chemotherapy employs specific drugs to slow or stop the progression of cancer. Radiation treatment involves the use of high-energy radiation, such as charged particles, x-rays or gamma rays to shrink or destroy cancer cells. Cryosurgery is the use of extreme cold to freeze the tumor, which is eliminated by the body once it thaws if it is internal, or dissolves, forming a scab if it is external.

Other treatment options available include angiogenesis inhibitor therapy, which basically interferes with the blood supply to tumors, eventually starving them of the oxygen and nutrients they need to maintain themselves. A newer addition to the lineup of treatments is biological therapy, which uses the patient's immune system to help fight the cancerous cells.

Prevention

One of the best prevention methods available is to avoid or stop the use of tobacco. Second is to eat a healthful diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Third, use alcohol in moderation. Fourth, maintain an ideal body weight and exercise regularly. Fifth, use sunscreens to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. Sixth, perform self-exams and get suitable screenings at regular intervals.

Conclusion

Whatever a patient's risk factor, age or gender, the Gainesville oncology specialists can provide individualized education on prevention. They can also provide the diagnostic expertise as well as suitable treatment options in the event that cancer does develop.