Oncology – Coding Guidelines
Oncology Specialty Overview
Oncology is a specialized branch of medicine focusing on cancer, including diagnosis, treatments, and cancer research. An oncologist treats cancer patients and provides requisite medical care. Therapy in oncology has three major areas, including medical treatment, surgical treatment, and radiation therapy. A medical oncologist may treat cancer using medication such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy or using chemotherapy.
Medical Oncologist
A Medical Oncology acts as a primary healthcare provider for a cancer patient and provides treatment to the patient through the treatment plan. He/she also sees the patient through follow-up visits and post-treatment check-ups.
Surgical Oncologist
A surgical oncologist is a specialized surgeon who removes cancerous tumors through surgery. He/she has received specialized training in oncology and related surgical procedures. Additionally, they can perform certain biopsies to detect and diagnose cancer.
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy, which involves using high-energy X-rays to kill cancerous cells, or reduce tumors or slow the tumor's growth. The Radiation oncologist focuses on addressing the tumors without affecting neighboring tissues. Also known as palliative therapy, radiation oncology improves the patient's quality of life by controlling the tumor's growth.
