Answer
What's the difference between medical, surgical, and radiation oncology?
Medical oncologists treat cancer with drugs (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy). Surgical oncologists remove tumors and affected tissue. Radiation oncologists use high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Most cancer patients see two or three of them during treatment.
Last updated: 2026-07-10 · Reviewed by Cancer Answers OC Care Coordination Team
A medical oncologist usually leads your overall care and coordinates with the others.
Surgical oncology covers tumor removal, lymph node sampling, and reconstructive procedures specific to cancer.
Radiation oncology delivers targeted radiation — external beam (most common) or internal (brachytherapy).
Multidisciplinary tumor boards bring all three specialties together to recommend a coordinated plan. Most academic centers, including Keck Medicine USC, use this model.