What is Medical Oncology?
Medical oncology is a medical specialty of the management of cancer from diagnosis to palliative care. A treatment plan is designed based on detailed pathology reports of the cancer and it's development, as well as the risk of it spreading and the parts of the body involved.
A key medical oncology treatment is chemotherapy, which is the most commonly used treatment for cancer. A combination of medications are injected into the body to gradually destroy the cancerous cells and ensure they stop reproducing. It is known to have a lot of side effects despite its efficacy, because the drugs also destroy the healthy cells in the body.
Radiation therapy uses beams such as x-rays, gamma rays or proton and electron beams to destroy cancer cells. It is also referred to as radiotherapy and irradiation.
Hormonal therapy is a cancer treatment that works on cancers that contain receptors for estrogen or progesterone hormones. It is most effective for breast cancer caused by elevated estrogen levels, and works either by lowering the levels of estrogen in the body or inhibiting its effects.
Medical oncology is grounded in core principles that prioritize individualized treatment, recognizing that each patient's cancer journey is unique. Medical oncologists meticulously evaluate the patient's specific cancer type, stage, molecular characteristics, overall health, and personal preferences to develop personalized treatment plans. Beyond cancer treatment, medical oncologists provide compassionate supportive care to manage symptoms, side effects, and the emotional and psychological impact of cancer, recognizing the importance of managing the patient's well-being.
Medical oncologists utilize a variety of treatment modalities, including:
- Chemotherapy
This systemic therapy employs medications that target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy drugs interfere with various cellular processes essential for cancer cell growth and division. - Targeted Therapy
These therapies specifically target molecules or pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival, offering a more precise approach to treatment. - Immunotherapy
This approach harnesses the power of the patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapies can stimulate the immune response or remove barriers that prevent the immune system from effectively targeting cancer cells. - Hormonal Therapy
For cancers that are influenced by hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer, hormonal therapies can block the production or action of hormones that fuel cancer growth.
Our dedicated teams of experienced multidisciplinary specialists and healthcare professionals work together to provide treatment plans tailored to the needs of our patients on their recovery journey.
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Conditions We Treat
Nose Cancer
Nose cancer, or nasopharyngeal cancer as is more accurately named, occurs when cells of the lining of the passageway behind the nose, called the nasopharynx multiply abnormally to form a tumour. The most common cell type for nasopharyngeal cancer in Singapore is called undifferentiated carcinoma, which is strongly associated with a virus called Epstein Barr Virus (EBV).
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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the cancer of the lung and is a condition where a malignant tumour is present in the tissues of the lungs. The lungs are located on either side of the chest and receive oxygen from the air when we breathe and transfers it into the bloodstream. They also transfer the carbon dioxide in our body to the atmosphere when we exhale. Most lung cancer cases are caused by long-term tobacco smoking. Lung cancer may also be determined by genetic factors and exposure to various chemicals and air pollution.
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Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the cancer of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ is between the stomach, liver and intestine in your abdomen. Digestive enzymes are released by the pancreas into the small intestine to aid the digestion of food. Hormones, insulin and glucagon are also released by the pancreas into the bloodstream. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose and is usually discovered only in the later stages. The most common type is pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the cancer of the skin and is also known as melanoma. The skin is the body’s largest organ and protects it against sunlight, heat, injury, and infection. It also helps control body temperature and has several layers. The two main layers are the upper or outer layer called the epidermis, and the lower or inner layer called the dermis. The epidermis is made up of three kinds of cells, the squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes that make melanin.
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Leukemia (Blood Cancer)
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells that causes the production of abnormally high white blood cells. White blood cells are the cells of the immune system involved in protecting the body against infectious disease. Like red blood cells that carry oxygen, they are produced in the bone marrow and an overproduction of them causes serious health issues including anaemia.
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Lymphoma (Blood Cancer)
Lymphoma is a cancer of the white blood cells. Also called lymphocytes, these cells are part of the immune system. Abnormality in the lymphocytes causes them to grow uncontrollably, which leads to the development of tumours. As a result, these cells are no longer able to perform their actual role of protecting the body from disease and infection. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
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Gynecological Cancers
Gynecological cancers develop in the female reproductive organs, such as the cervix, the vagina, the vulva, the uterus, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that can affect the cells that line the vaginal canal. Vulvar cancer is a rare cancer that affects the vulva, or the outer part of the female genitalia. Endometrial or uterine cancer is the cancer of the uterus. Ovarian cancer is the cancer of the ovaries. Fallopian tube cancer is a rare cancer that affects the fallopian tubes. Peritoneal cancer is another rare form of cancer but can appear as ovarian cancer on initial diagnosis.
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Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is the cancer of the kidney. The kidneys are located in the abdomen on either side of the spine and they filter waste from your blood and make urine. Renal cell carcinoma is cancer that forms in the lining of tiny tubules in the kidney and is the most common form of kidney cancer.
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Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is also called colon cancer, and is the cancer of the colon and rectum caused by polyps that grow and become cancerous. Located at the lower part of your digestive system, colorectal polyps usually start as non-cancerous benign or tissue growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
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Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is the cancer of the stomach and is also known as gastric cancer. Stomach cancer usually develops in the lining of the stomach and the most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma.
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Treatments We Offer
Skin Cancer Treatment
Treatment for skin cancer depends on the type of skin cancer, where it is located, and at what stage and how aggressive it is. Small cancers are treated through biopsy or removing the entire growth. A different treatment plan is needed for more serious skin cancer. Localised cancer is when the cancer is still contained it one area and has not spread. Common surgical procedures for this type of cancer includes excisional surgery, curettage and electrodesiccation, Mohs Surgery, freezing, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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