Introduction to Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most common cause of disease-related death in children in the UK?

A

Cancer.

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2
Q

List the two most common childhood cancers.

A

1 - Leukaemia.

2 - CNS cancers.

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3
Q

How many new cases of cancer are diagnosed per year in the UK?

How many of these diagnoses are made in people under the age of 16?

A
  • 357,000.

- 1,500 are under the age of 16.

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4
Q

How many new cases of cancer are diagnosed per year in the UK?

How many of these diagnoses are made in people under the age of 16?

A
  • 357,000.

- 1,500 are <16.

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5
Q

What proportion of adult cancers are diagnosed at a late stage?

A

Half.

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6
Q

Which adult cancer is increasing in mortality at the highest rate?

A

Liver cancer.

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7
Q

List 5 common presenting symptoms of lung cancer.

A

1 - Breathlessness.

2 - Cough.

3 - Pain.

4 - Loss of appetite.

5 - Haemoptysis.

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8
Q

List 6 common presenting symptoms of colorectal cancer.

A

1 - Changes in bowel habits.

2 - Bright red or dark blood in the stool.

3 - Discomfort in the abdomen.

4 - Unexplained weight loss.

5 - Anaemia.

6 - Tenesmus.

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9
Q

List 5 investigations used in the diagnosis of cancer.

Which of these investigations is required to be positive before treatment is initiated?

A

1 - History taking.

2 - Physical examination.

3 - Imaging.

4 - Blood tests.

5 - Tissue biopsy (required before treatment is initiated).

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10
Q

Why might Horner syndrome be reason to investigate for cancer outside of the head and neck region?

A

Because it is indicative of spread to the head and neck.

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11
Q

Why might Horner syndrome be reason to investigate for lung cancer?

A

Because it is indicative of spread

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12
Q

List 3 methods that encourage early diagnosis of cancer.

A

1 - Screening programmes.

2 - Public awareness of symptoms.

3 - Faster referrals.

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13
Q

What is the average wait for referral to cancer specialists from a GP?

A

2 weeks.

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14
Q

What is the average wait for referral to cancer specialists from a GP?

A

2 weeks.

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15
Q

What do the letters of the TNM staging system of cancer mean?

A
  • T = size of the primary tumour (subcategories depend on the type of tumour).
  • N = status of lymph node metastases.
  • M = presence or absence of metastases.
  • G = the histological grade of the tumour.
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16
Q

List the N subcategories of the TNM staging system.

A
  • N0 = no node metastasis.
  • N1 = 1-3 regional nodes.
  • N2 = >3 regional nodes.
  • N3 = nodes at a distant site.
17
Q

List the M subcategories of the TNM staging system.

A
  • M0 = no metastasis.

- M1 = distant metastasis.

18
Q

Describe the Duke staging of colorectal cancer.

A
  • Dukes A: Invasion into but not through the bowel wall.
  • Dukes B: Invasion through the bowel wall penetrating the muscle layer but not involving lymph nodes.
  • Dukes C: Involvement of lymph nodes
  • Dukes D: Widespread metastases.
  • Dukes isn’t really used any more.
19
Q

Describe the Duke staging of colorectal cancer.

A
  • Dukes A: Invasion into but not through the bowel wall.
  • Dukes B: Invasion through the bowel wall penetrating the muscle layer but not involving lymph nodes.
  • Dukes C: Involvement of lymph nodes
  • Dukes D: Widespread metastases.
20
Q

Give an example of a targeted agent used in chemotherapy.

For which cancer is this targeted agent used?

Why are targeted agents less toxic than other chemotherapy drugs?

A
  • Imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia.

- Targeted agents are less toxic than other chemotherapy drugs because they are more highly specific.

21
Q

What underlies the responsiveness of non-small cell lung cancer to gefitinib?

A

A mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor.

22
Q

Describe the concept of adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment.

A

1 - Neoadjuvant therapy is given to shrink the tumour size to make surgery or radiotherapy feasible.

2 - This is followed by surgery or radiotherapy.

3 - Adjuvant therapy is given to residual tumours following surgery or radiotherapy to prevent recurrence.

23
Q

Describe the concept of adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment.

A

1 - Neoadjuvant therapy is given to shrink the tumour size to make surgery or radiotherapy feasible.

2 - This is followed by surgery or radiotherapy.

3 - Adjuvant therapy is given to residual tumours following surgery or radiotherapy to prevent recurrence.

24
Q

What is the second commonest bone tumour in childhood?

A

Ewing’s sarcoma.