# oncology

/ɑŋˈkɑɫədʒi/ (US) · /ɒnkˈɒlədʒi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oncology
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of cancer. Doctors in this field help patients manage their illness through surgery, medicine, or other therapies.

For teachers: the branch of medical science concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tumours and cancer.

## Examples

- She decided to specialize in oncology after finishing medical school.
- The hospital's oncology department is world-renowned for its innovative approach to treating rare blood cancers.
- Advances in molecular oncology have allowed clinicians to develop targeted therapies that attack specific genetic mutations within a tumour while sparing healthy surrounding tissue.

## Usage notes

- Typically used without an article when referring to the field of study; often used as a modifier in phrases like 'oncology ward' or 'oncology nurse'.

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