differences between these specialties

[Eilat87]

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hello everyone, whats the difference between a hematologist, a hematologist/oncologist, and a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, hope its not a stupid question but i was looking around and i only saw hematologist/oncologist listed under DO specialties, not MD, I realize that DO and MD recognize different specialties, so can anyone kindly clear it up for me? Thanks!

 

[Isoprop]

heme - study of blood
onc - study of tumors & cancer
both are 2 yr fellowships (subspecialty of internal medicine)
hardly anyone goes into purely heme; most do a combined 3 year heme/onc and get board cert in both.

ped heme/onc is exactly what it sounds, a specialty under pediatrics (children).

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Hey, Eilat. So, a hematologist is someone specializing in blood disorders. I think of hemophiliacs (people whose blood doesn't clot properly) or maybe people who's blood clots too quickly.

A hematologist/oncologist is a person who specializes in both blood disorders and other cancers. This is most commonly the route people take because it gives them extra expertise in blood cancers like leukemia. This is maybe 1 or 2 years of extra training in addition to the hematologist's training. I think some programs make you do both. Most oncologists are actually hema/onc doctors. Finally, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist is simply a hema/onc doc who specializes in treating children. These doctors are actually trained in pediatrics first, then do a fellowship for hema/onc after their three years of pedatrics residency.