Oncology

Question 1

State 2 strict controls of the cell cycle

Answer 1

Prevent cells with damaged or faulty DNA from further dividing
Controlled cell death if DNA damage is irreparable

Question 2

Describe cell cycle regulation x2

Answer 2

Balance between division and death of cells
Limitations in proliferation due to physical boundaries and regulatory proteins

Question 3

Pathogenesis of cancer x2

Answer 3

Loss of function of tumor suppressor genes
Gain of function of oncogenes

Question 4

Describe benign and malignant 4

Answer 4

Benign- well circumscribed, slow growing, non invasive, non metastatic tumor

Malignant- Not well organized, irregularly shaped, fast growing, infiltrative growth, metastatic cancer

Question 5

State 5 factors that limit cell proliferation

Answer 5

Physical boundaries
Tissue pressure/ contact inhibition
Growth factors
Regulatory proteins
Tumor suppressor genes

Question 6

Factors involved in the conversion of a normal cell to a cancer cell x6

Answer 6

Autocrine stimulation in the absence of growth factors
Resistance to cell death
Permissive environment
Lack of contact inhibition
Rapid growth
Angiogenesis

Question 7

Hallmarks of cancer x6

Answer 7

Avoid immune destruction
Evasion of growth suppression
Resist cell death
Sustained proliferation
Invasion and metastasis
Altered metabolism

Question 8

4 determinants of cure rate

Answer 8

Access to diagnosis
Access to treatment
Success rate of treatment
Overall cure rate

Question 9

Delays in cancer diagnosis are related to x6

Answer 9

Age of child
Type of cancer
Tumor site
Stage of cancer
Presenting symptoms
First medical specialty consulted

Question 10

Describe the red reflex

Answer 10

A reflection of light in the ocular fundus which is normally red in color.
Abnormal findings- absence or asymmetrical

Question 11

Cancers presenting with abdominal mass x5

Answer 11

Hodgkin lymphoma
Germ cell tumors
Burkitt lymphoma
Neuroblastoma
Wilms tumor

Question 12

Cancer presenting with Neck mass x3

Answer 12

HL, Burkitt, Kaposi sarcoma

Question 13

Cancer presenting with jaw mass x2

Answer 13

Burkitt, rhabdomyosarcoma

Question 14

Cancer presenting with periorbital mass x3

Answer 14

Retinoblastoma, Burkitt, Rhabdomyosarcoma

Question 15

Cancer presenting with extremity mass x2

Answer 15

Bone tumor
Rhabdomyosarcoma

Question 16

State 4 oncological emergencies

Answer 16

Hyperleukocytosis
Mediastinal masses
Electrolyte derangements
Elevated intracranial pressure

Question 17

Define tumor lysis syndrome, its causes and effects x5

Answer 17

Rapid destruction of tumor cells which results in massive release of intracellular components
Cause- initiation of cytotoxic therapy
Effects- acute kidney injury, hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia

Question 18

State 3 non invasive imaging techniques

Answer 18

CT, MRI, PET - Positron emission tomographic scan

Question 19

Types of biopsies x4

Answer 19

FNA
Core needle biopsy- image guided
Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
Excisional biopsy of affected LN

Question 20

Treatment of cancer x6

Answer 20

Surgical intervention
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy
Gene therapy
Stem cell and bone marrow transplants

Question 21

Types of surgical intervention x7

Answer 21

Primary tumor resection
Diagnostic, prophylactic, palliative, reconstructive, metastasectomy, cytoreduction

Question 22

Describe how chemotherapy and radiation work

Answer 22

Chemotherapy- interfere with cellular function and reproduction

Radiotherapy- DNA damage of cancer cell and destroy ability to reproduce

Question 23

Cancer supportive care x6

Answer 23

Antibiotics
Transfusions
IV fluids
Palliative care
Prevention of nausea and vomiting
Prevention of tumor lysis syndrome