Medical Oncology

What is Medical Oncology?

Medical oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of cancer. Medical oncologists treat cancer patients with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies and other systemic treatment methods. In addition, they monitor the course of cancer and aim to improve the quality of life of patients.

Scope of Medical Oncology

• Solid Tumors: Cancers that occur in organs. Includes various types such as breast, lung, colon, prostate, stomach, liver, pancreas and kidney cancers.
• Hematological Cancers: Cancers that originate in the blood and bone marrow. Includes types such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
• Metastatic Cancers: Cancers that occur as a result of the spread of the primary tumor to other parts of the body.
• Genetic and Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Cancers that occur as a result of genetic mutations and are passed down through families. Individuals carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Cancer Prevention and Screening: Screening programs and preventive measures for the early diagnosis and prevention of cancer.

Importance of Medical Oncology

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Medical oncology plays a vital role in the early diagnosis of cancer, effective treatment, and increasing the life expectancy and quality of life of patients. Medical oncologists personalize patients’ treatment plans and aim to achieve the best results using multidisciplinary approaches.

Diagnostic and Treatment Methods Used in Medical Oncology

• Biopsy: Taking a sample of cancerous tissue and examining it under a microscope.
• Imaging Methods:
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Provides detailed soft tissue images.
  • Computed Tomography (CT): Obtains cross-sectional images of the body.
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Evaluates metabolic activity and the spread of cancer.
  • Ultrasonography: Evaluates the structure of organs and abnormalities.
• Laboratory Tests: Tumor markers and genetic tests are used in the diagnosis and follow-up of cancer.
• Chemotherapy: Drug treatment that kills cancer cells or stops their growth.
• Targeted Therapies: Drugs that affect specific molecular targets in cancer cells are used.
• Immunotherapy: Treatment methods that activate the immune system against cancer cells.
• Hormone Therapy: Treatments that regulate hormone levels, especially used in breast and prostate cancers.
• Radiotherapy: High energy waves are used to destroy cancer cells.
• Combination Therapies: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical treatments are used together.
• Clinical Research: Research conducted to develop new treatment methods and increase the effectiveness of existing treatments.

Medical Oncology Treatment Methods

• Chemotherapy: Drugs used to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Can be administered intravenously or orally.
• Immunotherapy: Treatments that increase the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Includes methods such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapy.
• Targeted Therapies: Drugs that affect specific molecular targets in cancer cells. Such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.
• Hormone Therapy: Treatments that regulate hormone levels in hormone-sensitive cancers (such as breast and prostate cancer).
• Radiotherapy: High-energy radiation is used to destroy cancer cells.
• Surgical Interventions: Surgical removal of cancerous tissue.
• Supportive Treatments: Treatments applied to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve the patient’s quality of life. Such as anti-emetics, painkillers and nutritional support.

Medical Oncology with Asumed Health Care

Asumed Health Care offers the best service in medical oncology by collaborating with leading healthcare institutions in Turkey. The main services we offer to our patients are as follows:

• Diagnosis and Assessment: We ensure that our patients undergo a comprehensive assessment. We ensure that the correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment plan is prepared with biopsy, imaging methods, laboratory tests and other diagnostic tools.
• Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: We provide chemotherapy and immunotherapy services in accordance with the latest treatment protocols in cancer treatment.
• Targeted Therapies: We provide treatment methods aimed at specific molecular targets in cancer cells.
• Radiotherapy: We provide radiotherapy services to destroy cancer cells using high-energy radiation.
• Surgical Interventions: We provide surgical removal of cancerous tissue when necessary.
• Supportive and Palliative Care: We provide supportive and palliative care services to manage the side effects of chemotherapy and other treatments and to improve the quality of life of patients.
• Patient Education and Counseling: We inform and support our patients about cancer and treatment processes. We provide consulting services on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
• Clinical Research: We participate in clinical research programs to develop new treatment methods and increase the effectiveness of existing treatments.
• International Patient Support: We offer services specifically designed for our patients coming from abroad. These services include guidance throughout the treatment process, accommodation and transportation arrangements, translation services and support for other needs.