Radiation Oncology Job Description
As oncology is the study of cancer, radiation oncology is a branch that involves the use of radiation therapies and methods to treat cancer. Physicians who specialize in this subcategory of oncology are called radiation oncologists.
Main Duties
Radiation oncologists rely on methods such as X-rays, electrons and gamma rays to detect and treat cancer. They determine the amount of radiation or drugs to be used for treatment, and they consult with other health care or medical professionals such as diagnostic radiologists to confirm diagnoses.
Types of Cancers
Radiation oncologists use radiation treatments for most types of cancers. This includes brain tumors, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer.
Workplaces
Most radiation oncologists work in hospitals and medical/diagnostic laboratories. Some, however, can be found at private practices, or in medical schools where they work as professors.
Education
The educational track for radiation oncologists consists of four years in undergraduate school (preferably in a pre-med program), four years in medical school and five years in a residency training program.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to Salary.com, radiation oncologists make a median annual salary of $328,000 as of July 2010. As part of the physicians and surgeons category, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 22 percent job growth for the profession between 2008 and 2010.
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