How to treat cancer

Question 1

What is an oncologist

Answer 1

• someone who treats cancer without surgery

Question 2

What is radical treatment

Answer 2

• curative intent

Question 3

Palliative treatment?

Answer 3

• non-curative

- aims to improve symptoms/quality of life

Question 4

Adjuvant?

Answer 4

• after surgery

- aimed at reducing risk of recurrence

Question 5

Neo-adjuvant

Answer 5

• before surgery

- shrink tumour

Question 6

what are the 4 endpoints of cancer?

Answer 6

• overall survival
• disease free-survival
• progression free survival
• local control

Question 7

Explain brachytherapy

Answer 7

• taking a radioactive material and planting it into the cancer

Question 8

Name some cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs

Answer 8

• alkylating agent
• platinum salts
• anti-metabolites
• taxanes
• anthracyclines
• topoisomerase

Question 9

What is the 31 day target?

Answer 9

• aim to have a decision of treatment within 31 days