An oncologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer. These specialists play a multifaceted role, coordinating complex treatment plans and providing long-term survivorship care for patients across the United States. The demand for cancer care continues to grow due to an aging population and advancements in treatment that extend life expectancy. Understanding the size and distribution of this specialized medical group is necessary to evaluate the nation’s capacity to deliver quality cancer treatment. This analysis details the total number of practitioners and the significant geographical variations in their availability.
Defining the Oncology Workforce
Determining the precise number of oncologists is complex because the term encompasses several distinct medical specialties. The most commonly cited statistics often focus on medical and hematology oncologists, who manage systemic treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Hematology-oncology is a combined specialty that deals with blood disorders and blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
The broader oncology workforce also includes specialized physicians who focus on other treatment modalities. Radiation oncologists use high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells. Surgical oncologists perform biopsies, remove tumors, and manage other surgical aspects of cancer care. Other specialized fields, such as gynecologic oncology and pediatric hematology/oncology, treat specific patient populations or cancer types.
Current Count and Geographical Distribution
The most inclusive data suggests that the total number of oncologists in the United States is over 28,000, covering all subspecialties including surgical and radiation oncology. Focusing specifically on the medical and hematology oncology workforce, which is often the subject of workforce studies, approximately 14,547 were practicing in 2024, with another report citing 15,959 engaged in patient care in 2023. This medical and hematology oncology group is the segment that manages the majority of systemic cancer treatments.
This national total, however, masks severe disparities in the geographical distribution of these specialists. The workforce is heavily concentrated in metropolitan areas, which creates significant “cancer care deserts” across much of the country. For example, 64% of U.S. counties had no practicing oncologist located within their borders in 2019.
The density of oncologists is starkly different between urban and rural settings. Urban counties have a density of approximately 16.6 oncologists per 100,000 population, which is more than double the rate found in rural counties. Only about 7% of medical and hematology oncologists practice in rural counties, even though nearly 16 million adults aged 55 and older live in these areas. This uneven distribution means a significant proportion of Americans must travel long distances to receive cancer care. The disparity is also evident in access to clinical research, as 70% of U.S. counties do not have an active cancer clinical trial.
Factors Shaping the Supply of Oncologists
The overall number of practicing oncologists is a dynamic figure, determined by the balance between new specialists entering the workforce and existing ones leaving. The primary factor influencing future supply is the training pipeline, which involves medical school followed by residency and a specialized fellowship. The capacity of fellowship programs to train new hematology and medical oncologists directly limits the annual number of new specialists entering the field.
A major concern is the aging composition of the existing workforce, which predicts a surge in retirements in the coming years. In 2023, nearly a quarter of all oncologists were aged 64 years or older, meaning a substantial segment of the current capacity is nearing retirement. This demographic shift puts future coverage at risk, especially in areas where the current workforce is already thin.
Newer oncologists are also showing different practice patterns compared to their predecessors. Early-career oncologists are less likely than their late-career counterparts to choose to practice in rural counties or regions with high cancer mortality rates. This preference exacerbates the existing geographical disparities, as experienced physicians who serve these underserved areas retire without direct replacements.
The consolidation of independent practices into larger health systems also shapes workforce capacity. The overall number of oncology practices has declined from 1,638 in 2021 to 1,555 in 2023. When an oncologist leaves a practice, their patient panel is absorbed by the remaining physicians, increasing the workload on the remaining specialists without increasing overall capacity.
Projected Workforce Needs and Patient Impact
Current projections indicate a growing gap between the demand for oncology services and the available supply of specialists. The demand for oncologists is expected to increase by approximately 40% between 2012 and 2025, driven by the growing population of older adults and the rising number of cancer survivors requiring long-term follow-up care. This demand is significantly outpacing the projected 25% increase in the supply of oncologists during the same period.
This imbalance is expected to result in a substantial deficit, with projections indicating a shortage of over 2,200 hematologists and medical oncologists by 2025. The impact of this shortage will be felt most acutely in non-metropolitan areas. By 2037, rural areas are projected to meet only 29% of their demand for medical and hematology oncologists, while metropolitan areas are expected to meet 102% of their needs.
For patients, this shortage translates directly into practical barriers to care. Patients in underserved areas face increased wait times for appointments and must often travel extensive distances to reach a specialist, which can delay diagnosis and treatment initiation.
To mitigate these challenges, alternative care models are becoming necessary. Telehealth is one potential solution to bridge geographical gaps. Expanding the roles of advanced practice providers, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, in the oncology team is also a strategy to manage the rising patient volume and maintain access to care.