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| Oncology is the branch of medicine that studies tumors
(cancer) and seeks to understand their development, diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention. A physician who practices oncology is
an oncologist. The term originates from the Greek onkos (ογκος),
meaning bulk, mass, or tumor and the suffix -ology, meaning
"study of." The oncologist often coordinates the
multidisciplinary care of cancer patients, which may involve
physiotherapy, counselling, clinical genetics, to name but a
few. On the other hand, the oncologist often has to liaise with
pathologists on the exact biological nature of the tumor that is
being treated. Oncology is concerned with: - The diagnosis of
cancer - Therapy (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and
other modalities) - Follow-up of cancer patients after
successful treatment - Palliative care of patients with terminal
malignancies - Ethical questions surrounding