Intro to Oncology & Survivorship Flashcards
Define the key elements of cancer on a cellular level
- uncontrolled cell division
- deregulation of cellular processes
- uncontrolled growth
- lack of apoptosis
Define a tumor and a few types
mass of cells resulting from abnormal cell division
- benign (lipoma, fibroid, hemangioma)
- malignant (carcinoma/skin, sarcoma/bone, leukemia/marrow)
Describe the diagnostic testing used in oncology
- biopsy almost always done (not HCC or RCC)
- imaging useful for staging
Describe clinical staging for solid tumors
What are the components of TNM cancer staging (clinical)
- T: tumor size (Tx, T0, Tis, T1-T4)
- N: lymph node involvement (Nx, N0-N3)
- M: metastasis (Mx, M0, M1)
What is pathological stage vs clinical stage of cancer
Clinical stage = Stage 0-4 of location of cancer (can go up but not down)
Pathological stage = histology after biopsy/surgery
Describe the tumor grading system
classification of tumors by how the cells look on microscopy & how likely the tumor is to spread/grow
- grade X = cannot be assessed through grade 4
What are the 4 major components to consider in cancer staging
- cell type/histology
- tumor location & margins
- angiolymphatic invasion
- molecular markers (genetic/tumor)
What staging systems are used in hematologic malignancies
- lymphoma: Ann Arbor staging
- myelodysplastic syndrome: international staging system (IPSS)
- leukemia: depends on type
Describe chemotherapy
systemic therapy that arrests the cell cycle in rapidly dividing cells
- not specific to cancer cells
- many AEs & risks of secondary malignancy
Describe radiation treatment
megavoltage x-rays that damage DNA & cause focal cancer cell death
- external or internal beam
- can be enhanced by chemo
- AEs: local symptoms, fatigue, risk of secondary malignancy
Describe neoadjuvant vs adjuvant therapy
- Neoadjuvant: therapy before the cure/surgery (ex. chemo)
- Adjuvant: therapy after the cure/surgery (ex. hormone therapy)
Describe targeted therapy in cancer treatment
therapy that specifically targets specific characteristics of the tumor
- usually less toxic than chemo
Describe immunotherapy treatment in cancer
stimulates the immune system tot target cancer cells
- can overshoot and cause secondary autoimmune disorder
Describe bone marrow transplant
use of chemo +/- radiation to wipe out bone marrow then replace it
- hematologic malignancies
- autologous (from pt) or allogeneic (matched donated)
- high mortality
