How is a radiation oncologist different from a medical oncologist?
A medical oncologist (chemotherapy doctor) usually has 3 years of internal medicine residency followed by 3 or 4 years of specialty training in the treatment of cancer and blood disorders. A medical oncologist is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. A radiation oncologist goes through a minimum of 5 years of training in a program which includes extensive training in radiation physics and radiation biology as well as intensive clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of cancer patients. Radiation oncology residencies are completely separate from diagnostic radiology residencies. A radiation oncologist is certified by the American Board of Radiology.
