Question 1

what do oncologists do?

Accepted Answer

Take care of cancer: There are 3 types of oncologists: surgical, medical and radiation therapy oncologists.  The surgical oncologist removes malignant lesions hopefully as a curative procedure or to debulk for further therapy. The medical oncologists offers chemo in an adjuvant or therapeutic format and the radiation oncologists treat primary RT sensitive tumors for cure or metastatic tumors for palliation.

Question 2

how many oncologists practice in the united states?

Accepted Answer

More than 10,000: According to the american society of clinical oncology (asco) there were about 10, 500 oncologists in the us (81% medical oncs or hematologist-oncologists; 5 % gynecologic oncs) in 2005. Although projected to increase by 20% into the year 2020, this number may not be enough to care for the growing population of new cancer patients and survivors.

Question 3

are there many women oncologists? what is the percentage of males to females who are oncologists?

Accepted Answer

Now growing: In 2005, 23% of medical oncologists were women. This is growing very rapidly, especially since the percentage of women in medicine has grown dramatically. I don't have the exact number today, but the numbers of women in the field is rapidly increasing.

Question 4

what is an oncologist?

Accepted Answer

Treats cancer: A doctor of medicine that treats/ studies cancer patients. There are usually 3 types of doctors that are intimately involved in treating cancer patients, surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist.

Question 5

what kind of degree would you need tobecome an oncologist?

Accepted Answer

MD or DO: A four year college degree, then medical school.  A residency in internal medicine (3 years).  Followed by a 2-3 year fellowship in oncology and hematology.  Good luck.  To me it was one of the best decisions i ever made.

Question 6

what is a regular schedule for an oncologist?

Accepted Answer

Depends: You mean what is their job hours and schedule?  That is highly variable.  Some private practice oncologists work 12 hours 6 days per week. Many are now employed and work in clinic 4 d/wk with administration or family time. Academic oncologists may see patients 0.5 to 4 days/week with research and administration time in between. There is no one schedule for all oncologists.

Question 7

in rural areas are there any surgical oncologists?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: These highly specialised surgeons are often in major cities, but some may be close to rural communities. You could look at the american college of surgeons web site. There also is a the american college of oncologic surgeon. A google search might better answer that question.

Question 8

how much time does it take to become a oncologist?

Accepted Answer

About 17-19 years : Usually- 
High school- 4 years 
College- 4 years 
Medical School- 4 years
Residency- 2-3 years (Internal Medicine or Peds)
Oncology fellow- 2 years
stop here or go on to hematology
Hematology- another 1-2 years

Question 9

what is a medical onconologist vs. a clinical oncologist?

Accepted Answer

Same: "clinical" usually means a doctor who works in the clinical setting, ie seeing patients.  A medical oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer patients with medications and chemotherapy.  A "clinical" oncologist probably means the same thing, although it's not a term i've heard used very much.

Question 10

i want to become an oncologist, how do i accomplish this?

Accepted Answer

Training: First college, the med school. For surgical oncology, a residency then fellowship, 
for radiation, a residency, for medical, residence and fellowship. Each field could require additional training, depending on your goal.

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Number of oncologists in the us

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How many oncologists practice in the united states?

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Are there many women oncologists? what is the percentage of males to females who are oncologists?

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What is an oncologist?

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What kind of degree would you need tobecome an oncologist?

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What is a regular schedule for an oncologist?

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In rural areas are there any surgical oncologists?

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How much time does it take to become a oncologist?

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What is a medical onconologist vs. a clinical oncologist?

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I want to become an oncologist, how do i accomplish this?

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