General Oncology

Question 1

What are 3 hallmarks of a cancer cell?

Answer 1

sustaining proliferative signaling 
evading growth suppression 
activating invasion and metastasis
enabling replicative immortality 
induce angiogenesis 
resisting cell death 
evade immune destruction 
preprogram energy metabolism

Question 2

What are the stages of WHO performance status?

Answer 2

0 - fully active
1 - restricted in strenous activity
2 - able to self care, but not carry out work activities, >50% of day up and about
3 - capable of limited self care, <50% of day in bed/chair
4 - completely disabled, no selfcare
5 - dead

Question 3

What are some examples of treatment intent?

Answer 3

neo-adjuvant
radical
adjuvant
palliative

Question 4

How does chemo work?

Answer 4

damaging DNA

- by directly binding, indirectly affects mitosis, cells cannot repair so apoptosis occurs

Question 5

What is radiotherapy?

Answer 5

high energy XR in measured doses to damage and destroy cancer cells

Question 6

What is the immunotherapy currently being used for metastatic melanoma?

Answer 6

ipilumumab

activates T cells which recognise and kill cancer cells

Question 7

What are some examples of systemic treatment of cancer?

Answer 7

immunotherapy
targeted agents
endocrine therapy - e.g. tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors
Zolendronic acid, denosumab - bone cancers