FOM

Question 1

What is carcinogenesis?

Answer 1

• process of a normal cell transforming into a cancer cell

Question 2

What are the main steps in carcinogenesis?

Answer 2

• initiation: mutations occur
• promotion: cell division and proliferation
• progression: further genetic change. More proliferation and formation of malignant tumours

Question 3

What % of cancers are sporadic?

Answer 3

• 90-95%

Question 4

What are Cancer Predisposition Gene Syndromes?

Answer 4

• describe a high lifetime risk of certain cancers associated with germline pathogenic mutations in specific genes

Question 5

What is the biggest cause of cancer in the world?

Answer 5

• smoking
• causes 7/10 lung cancers
• increases risk of other cancers

Question 6

What is metastasis?

Answer 6

• local spread by invading neighbouring tissues
• through bloodstream/lymphatic system

Question 7

What are the stages of cancer diagnosis?

Answer 7

Stage 0: carcinoma in situ. abnormal cells found. Early form
Stage I: localised
Stage II: early locally advances
Stage III: late locally advanced
Stage IV: metastasised

Question 8

What is an adjuvant?

Answer 8

• given after initial treatment to reduce chance of cancer coming back

Question 9

What is a neoadjuvant?

Answer 9

• given before surgery/initial treatment

Question 10

Example of how chemotherapy works

Answer 10

• alkylating agents and platinum drugs link the strands, resulting in double strand breaking on division

Question 11

What are the types of radiation?

Answer 11

• photon: x-rays/gamma rays
• particle: protons, electrons and heavy ions.

Question 12

How is radiotherapy typically given?

Answer 12

• multiple sessions to allow normal tissues to repair between treatments
• spread dose over time to reduce side effects

Question 13

What is the goal of radiotherapy?

Answer 13

• achieve high therapeutic ratio
• max damage to cancer cells, min damage to surrounding healthy tissue

Question 14

What is goal of immunotherapy?

Answer 14

• boost immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells
• overcome mechanisms cancer cells use to evade immune detection

Question 15

What is ablation?

Answer 15

• involves destroying abnormal tissues using heat, cold or chemical agents

Question 16

What is embolisation?

Answer 16

• involves blocking blood flow to abnormal tissues by introducing embolic agents to blood vessels