Oncology

Question 1

Ca 15-3

Answer 1

Breast cancer treatment response

Question 2

Ca 19-9

Answer 2

Pancreatic ca treatment response

Question 3

Ca-125

Answer 3

Ovarian ca screening

Question 4

Alpha fetoprotein

Answer 4

Hepatocellupar ca (screening) and testicular ca

Question 5

Carcinoembryonic antigen

Answer 5

Colorectal cancer treatment response

Question 6

Pemberton’s sign

Answer 6

Superior vena cava obstruction
Bilateral arm elevation for few minutes (further obstructs an already compressed structure)
Causes facial plethora, facial oedema

Question 7

Superior venous cava obstruction symptoms

Answer 7

Oedema, cyanosis
Distended neck veins 
Cough, dyspnea, orthopnea
Headache, dizzy, syncope
Confusion, stridor, hypotension

Question 8

chemotherapy induced nausea mx

side effects of drug

Answer 8

5-HT3 antagonists eg. ondansetron

SE: constipation, prolonged QT

Question 9

how do you do a bone marrow biopsy?

Answer 9

aka trephine bone marrow biopsy

jamshidi needle

Question 10

tumour lysis syndrome

• causes
• signs
• complications

Answer 10

causes: chemotherapy or spontaneously with high tumour burden

release of intracellular things: -
hyperURICEaemia
hyperKALAEMIA
hyperPHOSPHATEmia –> calcium pyrophosphate crystals form –> hyPOCALcemia

—> renal failure

Question 11

management of tumour lysis syndrome

Answer 11

IV fluids
prophylaxis - allopurinol (inhibits uric acid synthesis)

rasburicase can be used also to treat to prevent further renal injury or in high risk of TLS as it degrades uric acid

NB> do not use rasburicase in combination with allopurinol