Consultant physicians working with patients - Royal College of ...
Consultant physicians working with patients - Royal College of ...
Consultant physicians working with patients - Royal College of ...
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2 Specialties Medical oncologyMedical oncologyDr Johnathan J<strong>of</strong>fe MBBS MD FRCP <strong>Consultant</strong> medical oncologistDr Janine Mansi MBBS MD FRCP <strong>Consultant</strong> medical oncologistDr Dan Stark MB BChir PhD FRCP Workforce lead for SAC in Medical OncologyAlison Norton Administrator, Association <strong>of</strong> Cancer Physicians1 Description <strong>of</strong> the specialtyMedical oncologists are specialist <strong>physicians</strong> trained inthe investigation and care <strong>of</strong> <strong>patients</strong> <strong>with</strong> cancer. Theyare an integral part <strong>of</strong> the cancer multidisciplinary team(MDT), providing particular expertise to <strong>patients</strong>through their knowledge <strong>of</strong> the systemic treatment <strong>of</strong>cancer <strong>with</strong> hormonal treatment, conventionalcytotoxic chemotherapy and newer molecular-targetedtreatments. These treatments may be delivered <strong>with</strong>both curative intent, particularly in early cancers, andpalliative intent to alleviate symptoms plus,increasingly, for prolonging life in more advancedcancers. Medical oncologists are especially trained tounderstand the biology <strong>of</strong> cancer and the pharmacology<strong>of</strong> drugs. They are ideally prepared for the role <strong>of</strong>monitoring the efficacy and safety <strong>of</strong> current treatmentsandalsointhetestinganddevelopment<strong>of</strong>newmedicines. Medical oncologists have a central role in theconduct <strong>of</strong> clinical trials and are expected to enter<strong>patients</strong> into nationally approved trials. Many have aremit to design and develop new treatment strategiesthrough translational research.Medical oncologists are tumour-site specialists focusingon two or three specific types <strong>of</strong> cancer. The specialtyhas a strong academic component, <strong>with</strong> many medicaloncologists having a higher degree and a highproportion <strong>with</strong> combined academic and NationalHealth Service (NHS) appointments. Increasinglymedical oncologists require skills in management andservice delivery to understand the complex issuesinvolved in introducing new treatments, commissioninghealthcare in relation to changing models <strong>of</strong> care andmonitoring standards through peer review.In addition to this specialist role, many medicaloncologists now have a defined role in the practice <strong>of</strong>‘acute oncology’, 1 a service designed to ensureappropriate and urgent management <strong>of</strong> complications<strong>of</strong> cancer and its treatment, and also the rapidassessment and diagnosis <strong>of</strong> <strong>patients</strong> presenting <strong>with</strong>symptoms <strong>of</strong> previously undiagnosed malignancy.Medical oncologists are drivers <strong>of</strong> the current focus onprevention <strong>of</strong> cancer. It is recognised that many cancerscould be prevented by lifestyle changes. For somecancers, interventions (secondary prevention) mayafford opportunities to prevent development <strong>of</strong> thedisease.Who are the <strong>patients</strong>?One in three people in the UK will be diagnosed <strong>with</strong>cancer during their lifetime. This rate will increase asthe population grows proportionally older, which partlyexplains the increasing incidence and prevalence <strong>of</strong>cancer year on year. Advances in the early detection <strong>of</strong>cancer and major improvements in treatment haveresulted in a decrease in cancer mortality, <strong>with</strong> morepeople surviving cancer. Although many bigimprovements in survival have been in rarer cancersaffecting younger <strong>patients</strong>, new therapies for commoncancers are delivering similar advances in older people.This trend for improved survival will continue over thenext decade as still better methods <strong>of</strong> prevention,diagnosis and treatment are delivered.As well as caring for <strong>patients</strong> <strong>with</strong> active cancer, medicaloncologists are involved in monitoring and supportingcancer survivors.2 Organisation <strong>of</strong> the service and patterns<strong>of</strong> referralA typical serviceSince the government appointment <strong>of</strong> a national cancerdirector in England, cancer care in the UK has beenrevolutionised through a number <strong>of</strong> important strategicpublications, 2–4 each taking forward the development<strong>of</strong> the structure <strong>of</strong> cancer services.C○ <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> Physicians 2013 153