Editorial

TheOncologistandCancerManagement

kemia. Such success was unknownwhen treatment was relegated to physicians without specialized training, thosewho were only occasional chemotherapists.

Also, since radiation therapy has become a definite specialty, not just a parttime occupationof radiologists, a higherquality of care is being given to cancerpatients. Were it not for the concertedteamwork of the radiation therapist,medical oncologist and surgeon, the outlook for Hodgkin's disease would nothave improved so dramatically in thepast several years. Sophisticated radiation therapy is finally assuming the position it properly deserves.

This movement toward specializationin clinical oncology will greatly benefitpatients. Often there is only one chanceto cure a cancer. For this reason the physician must ask himself: “¿�Willmy patient with cancer have a better chance forcure in the hands of an oncologist?― Ifthe answer is “¿�yes,―then that patientshould be referred to the appropriatephysician for care.

Ifthereisonlyonechanceforcure,once must be enough.

,4L1@/1't9K@6 M.D.

Specialization means a narrowingofinterestandgreaterattentiontoamorelimited sphere of activity. Critics describe the process as “¿�learningmore andmore about less and less.―Yet, at a timewhen some see the need for a broaderunderstanding of the totality of man,physicians with specialized training inthe clinical management of cancer, oncologists, are more in demand than everbefore.

The medicalprofessionincertainspecialty areas is now officially recognizingoncologists as those who have gonebeyond standard training. Today, oncologists can be certified in the fields of radiology, gynecology, medicine and pediatrics. Comprehensive cancer centers,medical schools and teaching hospitalswith oncologic training programs are enabling physicians to obtain the necessaryexperience in these fields and in surgeryas well. Recognizing the value of intensified training in cancer management, theAmerican Cancer Society long ago developed its clinical fellowship and juniorfaculty programs for young physicians.

Developing clinical expertise by specialization in oncology pays off in termsof patient survival. For example, medical oncologists who are experts in cancerchemotherapy are reporting dramaticsuccess in the management of acute leu

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