Define Lung Oncologist

A lung oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and studying cancerous tumors of the lung.

Role

• Once a patient is suspected of having lung cancer, he is referred to a lung oncologist for guidance on how to restore or improve health.

Considerations

• An oncologist typically works with other specialists to develop the best plan of treatment for lung cancer patients. Input can be received from pulmonologists or radiation, surgical, or medical oncologists.

Relationship

• An oncologist may develop a trusting working relationship with his or her patients, spending hours explaining the treatment plan, potential complications, medications that will be used, length and location of treatment, how drugs will be administered, and possible side effects. (Ref. #1)

Education

• Potential lung oncologists must graduate from medical school before undergoing additional training to become a specialist or sub-specialist. (Ref. #2)

Employment

• Lung oncologists can work in their own private practices or as employees of hospitals, medical centers, or research organizations.