6 answers
Thomas
Student
Chandler, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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Is it possible to become an oncologist and a radiologist and can you be both at the same time?
Is it possible to become an oncologist and a radiologist and can you be both at the same time?
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6 answers
Andrey Perdue
Dental Hygienist
15
Answers
Destin, Florida
Updated
Andrey’s Answer
Two different professions…although studying for either one you will have overall rounded understanding of each…whether that’s lit or not is matter of opinion. But I can tell you the amount of school either one requires is not so lit. Hopefully you ready to light fire under you and study hard. Best of luck
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Thomas
Megan Jackson BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
54
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Not sure exactly what you mean so I went a few routes You can become a radiologist that specializes in Oncology readings or works in interpreting scans at an Oncology center. Radiologists are definitely part of the team also of note Oncologists are very trained in recognizing and diagnosing scans from imaging they order. Also The doctors that treat patients with Radiation for cancer are called “Radiation Oncologists” or Rad/Onc for short. That is a career in itself Radiation oncology. Not sure if that’s exactly what you meant or if your interpretation of an Oncologist is someone who treats cancer with Chemotherapy only but that’s not the case. If your thinking was the latter typically no Oncology is such a huge degree of specialized knowledge required it would be hard to remain an expert in both Radiation and Medical Oncology but Cancer centers have teams of both type of doctors that work closely together and have frequent Tumor board meetings where everyone gets together to find the best treatment for the patient. Also of note you also pick a body system to specialize ie gynecology, Neuro, ect
Huma Samar
1
Answer
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Huma’s Answer
Radiology itself is a 4 year residency after medical school and then any specialisation like cardiac, thoracic, neuro radiology is another 1- 2 year fellowship. Oncology involves a 3 year residency in internal medicine and then a 3 year fellowship in oncology.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3766
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Thomas,
Certainly, it's feasible to qualify as both an oncologist and a radiologist, though it's rare to find someone practicing both at the same time.
To become an oncologist, you'd typically start with a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in oncology. Oncologists are experts in diagnosing and treating cancer, using medical treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Conversely, to become a radiologist, you'd need to complete a residency in radiology after medical school. Radiologists are specialists in interpreting imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions.
While it's theoretically possible to train in both oncology and radiology, the time and workload required for each specialty make it tough to maintain expertise in both fields at once. Moreover, both fields are constantly evolving, requiring continuous education and training to keep up with advancements.
However, there are cases where individuals have expertise in both oncology and radiology, choosing to focus mainly on one specialty while using their knowledge from the other field to improve patient care. For instance, an oncologist with extra training in radiology might have a deeper understanding of imaging findings related to cancer, or they might participate in tumor board discussions where radiological images are reviewed with other specialists.
In conclusion, while it's technically possible to train in both oncology and radiology, most doctors choose to specialize in one field due to the demanding nature of each specialty. The integration of knowledge from both disciplines can enhance patient care, but actively practicing as both an oncologist and a radiologist at the same time is unusual.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
American College of Radiology (ACR) - A professional group committed to advancing radiology practice and improving patient care through education and advocacy.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) - A leading organization that represents oncology professionals globally, providing resources and support for cancer research and patient care.
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) - A society of radiologists, medical physicists, and other medical professionals that promotes excellence in patient care through education and research in radiology.
Stay blessed!
James Constantine.
Certainly, it's feasible to qualify as both an oncologist and a radiologist, though it's rare to find someone practicing both at the same time.
To become an oncologist, you'd typically start with a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in oncology. Oncologists are experts in diagnosing and treating cancer, using medical treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Conversely, to become a radiologist, you'd need to complete a residency in radiology after medical school. Radiologists are specialists in interpreting imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions.
While it's theoretically possible to train in both oncology and radiology, the time and workload required for each specialty make it tough to maintain expertise in both fields at once. Moreover, both fields are constantly evolving, requiring continuous education and training to keep up with advancements.
However, there are cases where individuals have expertise in both oncology and radiology, choosing to focus mainly on one specialty while using their knowledge from the other field to improve patient care. For instance, an oncologist with extra training in radiology might have a deeper understanding of imaging findings related to cancer, or they might participate in tumor board discussions where radiological images are reviewed with other specialists.
In conclusion, while it's technically possible to train in both oncology and radiology, most doctors choose to specialize in one field due to the demanding nature of each specialty. The integration of knowledge from both disciplines can enhance patient care, but actively practicing as both an oncologist and a radiologist at the same time is unusual.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
American College of Radiology (ACR) - A professional group committed to advancing radiology practice and improving patient care through education and advocacy.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) - A leading organization that represents oncology professionals globally, providing resources and support for cancer research and patient care.
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) - A society of radiologists, medical physicists, and other medical professionals that promotes excellence in patient care through education and research in radiology.
Stay blessed!
James Constantine.
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
364
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Although it's uncommon to find a single person specializing in both oncology and radiology due to the comprehensive training each field requires, it's not entirely impossible.
Oncology, a medical field that centers on diagnosing and treating cancer, demands a rigorous educational path. Aspiring oncologists must complete medical school, a residency in internal medicine, or a similar field, and then a fellowship in medical oncology, radiation oncology, or hematology-oncology.
On the flip side, radiology is a medical branch that employs imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists, as physicians, specialize in deciphering medical images and often have a vital role in diagnosing cancer and planning its treatment.
Even though oncologists commonly collaborate with radiologists, relying heavily on radiological imaging for diagnosing cancer and planning its treatment, the skill sets and training routes for these specialties are unique.
However, there are areas where oncology and radiology intersect, such as interventional radiology procedures utilized in cancer treatment like radiofrequency ablation, embolization, and image-guided biopsy. In these scenarios, teamwork between oncologists and interventional radiologists is crucial.
To sum it up, while it's rare for a person to be both an oncologist and a radiologist at the same time, there are ample opportunities for cooperation and interdisciplinary work between these two specialties in the realm of cancer care. So, don't be discouraged. The medical field is vast and full of opportunities for those who are passionate and dedicated.
Oncology, a medical field that centers on diagnosing and treating cancer, demands a rigorous educational path. Aspiring oncologists must complete medical school, a residency in internal medicine, or a similar field, and then a fellowship in medical oncology, radiation oncology, or hematology-oncology.
On the flip side, radiology is a medical branch that employs imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists, as physicians, specialize in deciphering medical images and often have a vital role in diagnosing cancer and planning its treatment.
Even though oncologists commonly collaborate with radiologists, relying heavily on radiological imaging for diagnosing cancer and planning its treatment, the skill sets and training routes for these specialties are unique.
However, there are areas where oncology and radiology intersect, such as interventional radiology procedures utilized in cancer treatment like radiofrequency ablation, embolization, and image-guided biopsy. In these scenarios, teamwork between oncologists and interventional radiologists is crucial.
To sum it up, while it's rare for a person to be both an oncologist and a radiologist at the same time, there are ample opportunities for cooperation and interdisciplinary work between these two specialties in the realm of cancer care. So, don't be discouraged. The medical field is vast and full of opportunities for those who are passionate and dedicated.
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Thomas
Suzanne Sorkin
Retired family physician and medical educator
106
Answers
Traverse City, Michigan
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Thomas, I'd like to take a slightly different tack than the others who have responded. I see that you have "family medicine" listed as one of your tags. By expressing your potential interest in both oncology and radiology I wonder if you may, at heart, be a "generalist". By this I mean someone with a wide range of interests, interested in the whole person as a patient and not just one body part or one type of diagnosis or treatment. If so, becoming a family physician --someone who cares for patients of all ages, all genders and with a wide variety of conditions, may well be exactly what you are looking for. As you do your shadowing and volunteer or paid work leading up to applying to medical school, keep this in mind. Consider doing some personality testing to see if you are someone more comfortable with the breadth and variety of being a generalist or the more narrow, deep focus of a specialist. Both are needed in medicine; the key is finding which is best for you.
Check out this video from AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) about the field: https://www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students/explore-career-in-family-medicine/why-choose-family-medicine/what-is-family-medicine-webcast.html
Suzanne recommends the following next steps: