Session 1 Prework Flashcards
Definitions
What does staging refer to in solid tumor oncology?
Refers to how large the primary tumor is (T), whether the cancer is spreading to lymph nodes (N), and whether it has metastasized (M). Most common criteria used: TNM
Staging at diagnosis is the most important predictor of survival.
Importance of staging at time of diagnosis
Predicts survival, guides treatment (curative vs. palliative)
What is grading in the context of solid tumors?
Pathologic description of the cellular characteristics of a malignancy. The higher the grade, the more aggressive the cancer.
What characterizes a low-grade tumor?
Retains many characteristics of the originating cell type, associated with less aggressive behavior and more favorable prognosis.
What is histology?
The study of tissue under the microscope to identify the type of cells the cancer originated from.
Central to diagnosing a cancer.
What are molecular studies in oncology?
Includes techniques like FISH, chromosomal microarray analysis, cytogenetic analysis, and Next Generation Sequencing.
Ways to identify targetable mutations like oncogenes.
What is immunohistochemistry (IHC)?
Identifies specific proteins expressed on tissue. Exploits the specific binding between an antibody and antigen.
Helps narrow down more details about the cancer.
What is an oncogene?
A mutated gene in the body that has the potential to cause cancer.
Can be a potential target to treat if found in tumor tissue.
What is germline testing?
Testing that looks at healthy DNA from a patient’s blood for inherited genetic changes.
Define advanced cancer
Cancer unlikely to be cured, including all metastatic cancers and some stage IIIb non-small cell lung cancers.
What is targeted therapy?
Medications that block oncogenic drivers that are essential for tumor proliferation or survival.
What is immunotherapy?
Therapy that enhances the immune system’s ability to kill tumor cells.
What is chemotherapy?
Cytotoxic treatment that kills cells at different parts of the cell cycle.
Does not differentiate from healthy tissue or cancerous tissue.
What is radiation therapy?
Cytotoxic treatment that ionizes atoms to break DNA chains in cancer cells.
What is external beam radiation therapy (EBRT)?
Uses a beam of photons or electrons to kill tissues, typically administered over several days.
What is stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)?
Full calculated dose of radiation delivered in one fraction, typically for small tumors.
Typically to brain, spine
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
SBRT
2-5 fractions of precise radiation, usually extracranial
To lung, liver, pancreas, prostate, bones
What is stereotactic body radiation therapy?
SBRT
2-5 fractions of highly precise radiation usually to spine, lung, prostate, pancreas, liver
What is Brachytherapy?
Radiation source placed inside or next to the area. Can be low dose or high dose. Helps to focus radiation around the tumor cells and spare healthy cells because it only travels short distances.
What is maintenance therapy?
Treatment that is given to help keep cancer from coming back after it has disappeared or stabilized following the initial therapy.
What is adjuvant therapy?
Treatment given after surgical intervention.
What is neoadjuvant therapy?
Treatment given before surgical intervention.
What is Salvage Therapy?
Therapy that is put together after the initial lines were ineffective.
Typically palliative in nature (for advanced solid-tumor cancers)
What is Definitive Treatment?
Goal is Curative or to achieve Remission
What is a partial response in cancer treatment?
At least 30% decrease in lesions without new lesions
What defines complete response?
Disappearance of all lesions with normalization of tumor marker levels.
What is overall survival?
Duration of patient survival from the time of treatment initiation.
What is progression-free survival?
Time from treatment initiation until disease progression or worsening.
Differentiate between immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Immunotherapy exploits the patient’s immune system to fight cancer, while targeted therapy targets specific molecules or pathways in the cancerous tissue.
What are common side effects of immunotherapy?
Skin reactions, gastrointestinal issues, liver toxicity, fatigue.
Can be more severe due to the global effects on the immune system.
