Question: My dog has been diagnosed with lymphosarcoma, and my veterinarian has referred me to an internal medicine doctor. Can you explain the difference between a doctor who specializes in internal medicine, and a doctor who specializes in oncology? I live in a rural town and there is an internal medicine veterinarian in close proximity to where I live, but not a veterinary oncologist.
Answer: Good question, this can be confusing. A veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine has advanced training in all areas of medicine. This type of specialist evaluates all types of medical diseases such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and kidney disease. Since an internal medicine doctor is a medical specialist, they also have some training in oncology, neurology, and cardiology. In many rural areaa, internists routinely treat cancer patients, cardiology patients, and patients with endocrine and gastrointestinal diseases.
An oncologist is a veterinary specialist who has advanced training in oncology, and cancer medicine is the only focus. Because this field is changing so rapidly, and the field is becoming advanced with novel therapies and diagnostic abilities, oncologists focus directly on treating cancer patients.
Even within the specialty of oncology, there are different types of oncologists. For example, there are medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgical oncologists. Medical oncologists are responsible for planning chemotherapy treatments, immunotherapy treatments, and other medical therapies. Radiation oncologists are responsible for radiation treatments, and surgical oncologists are responsible for performing all types of cancer surgeries like mass removals, reconstructive surgeries, and biopsies.
Often, oncologists and internists work hand in hand. If a patient goes to an internal medicine doctor for gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea) and an endoscopy is performed and a tumor is found, the internal medicine doctor will have the oncologist formulate a treatment plan. The internist diagnoses the cancer and the oncologist treats the cancer.
Or, if a patient is already diagnosed with cancer and receiving chemotherapy treatment from an oncologist, and develops diabetes during the course of chemotherapy treatment, the oncologist would continue to be responsible for the chemotherapy treatment and the management of the cancer, and the internal medicine doctor would treat the diabetes. It is always good to have a team-oriented approach in treating and addressing the needs of the cancer patient.
Dr. Correa
Board Certified in Oncology
Animal Cancer Care Clinic
www.AnimalCancerCareClinic.com
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