English Reference

Word

oncologist

Phoneticson·col·o·gist

US/ɑŋˈkɑɫədʒɪst/

UK/ɒnkˈɒlədʒˌɪst/

Definition

n. a doctor who specializes in treating cancer. They work with patients to find the best way to fight the disease.

n. a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with cancer. Often distinguished by subspecialties such as medical, surgical, or radiation oncology.

Examples

“The oncologist explained the different treatment options to the patient.”

“After the biopsy results came back, the patient was referred to an oncologist for a detailed treatment plan.”

“Advances in targeted therapies have allowed the oncologist to tailor the chemotherapy regimen to the specific genetic profile of the tumor, significantly improving the patient's prognosis.”

Examples

simple

“The oncologist explained the different treatment options to the patient.”

contextual

“After the biopsy results came back, the patient was referred to an oncologist for a detailed treatment plan.”

complex

“Advances in targeted therapies have allowed the oncologist to tailor the chemotherapy regimen to the specific genetic profile of the tumor, significantly improving the patient's prognosis.”

Real-World Examples

“The surgeon, the oncologist and the advanced cancer patient see the metastases, the pain, the missed window, the death.”
Aeon · 29 Sept 2026
“Prof Pat Price, a leading UK clinical academic oncologist, says the government targets "are now simply impossible to hit", after what she describes as a "complete loss of momentum".”
BBC News · 10 Sept 2026

Etymology

From oncology + -ist or onco- + -logist.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/oncologist

English Reference