onkologen

Onkologen is the term used in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and related languages for the physician who specializes in oncology, the medical field dedicated to cancer. Oncologists diagnose, stage, and treat cancer and coordinate care across multiple modalities. They assess symptoms and test results, determine prognosis, and develop comprehensive treatment plans that may include systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, as well as local treatments like radiotherapy and, when appropriate, surgical intervention in collaboration with surgical oncologists. Subspecialties within oncology include medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology, with pediatric oncologists focusing on children and hematologic oncologists handling blood cancers.

Education and training to become an oncologist typically begins with a medical degree, followed by residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, and a fellowship in medical oncology, hematology, or a related field depending on the sub-specialty. Certification and ongoing continuing medical education are common requirements, and the specifics vary by country.

Onkologen work as part of multidisciplinary teams that include surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, pharmacists, and palliative care specialists. They oversee symptom management, survivorship, and psychosocial support, and may participate in or lead clinical trials to evaluate new cancer treatments. The role emphasizes individualized treatment plans, monitoring for side effects, and adapting care to the patient’s evolving clinical status and goals, within the broader context of modern cancer care.