A Career in OncologyDr H.K.Lord

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

The basics

An interest in people

An interest in general medicine – lots of it

Willingness to study MRCP

Willingness to do FRCR or post graduate degree

Career structure

FY1 – FY2

ST 1-2 training

Once got MRCP and ST3 or above can apply for specialist training

Medical Oncology 4 years

Clinical Oncology 5 years

The difference?

Medical Oncology – specialise in chemotherapy, so usually ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, testicular cancer, sarcoma and breast cancer

The difference

Clinical Oncology – specialise in radiotherapy but equally able to give chemotherapy. Can treat all tumour types and hence more flexible.

Exams!!!

Clinical Oncology: Fellowship of the Royal College if Radiologists (FRCR)

Two parts:Part 1 is written: Statistics, Radiobiology, Physics and Clinical Pharmacology

Part 2 has 4 components – MCQ, short answered questions, clinical and viva.

Exams!!

Medical Oncology:

MRCP – Oncology200 structured questions

MD or PhD encouraged ( 2 - 3 years)

Pros and cons

Clinical Oncology – more job opportunities at senior level. Complete ownership of patient – do not have to refer for radiotherapy.

Medical Oncology – More translational research interest and involvement in new drugs and trials. No physics!

Opportunities

Travel: Clinical Oncology – Fellowship year encouraged

Canada

Australia

Paris

Anywhere

Opportunities

Travel: Medical Oncology: MD / PhD

Anywhere – UK, Europe, US…….

Why Oncology?

Get to know patients really well

Look after them in a holistic manner

Disease often multifocal so look after all systems

Psychological / spiritual issues

Family issues

Team working – surgeons , nursing specialists, palliative care, GPs……….

Why Oncology

Lots of research going on

Lots of potential for discovery / travel

Generally attracts “nice” people – good communicators

Makes life easier…….

Niche for everyone – professors to lab scientists, from head to toe.

Oncology could be the Job for you!

Any questions?