Oncology

Question 1

What is neuroblastoma?

Answer 1

A type of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells, usually in infants and young children.

Question 2

True or False: Neuroblastoma primarily affects adults.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

What age group is most commonly affected by neuroblastoma?

Answer 3

Children under the age of 5.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Neuroblastoma most often arises in the ________ gland.

Answer 4

adrenal

Question 5

What are common symptoms of neuroblastoma?

Answer 5

Abdominal pain, a lump in the abdomen, fatigue, and weight loss.

Question 6

What is the primary method used to diagnose neuroblastoma?

Answer 6

Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs.

Question 7

True or False: Neuroblastoma can spread to other parts of the body.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What is the most common site for neuroblastoma tumors?

Answer 8

The adrenal glands.

Question 9

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a treatment option for neuroblastoma? A) Chemotherapy B) Radiation C) Appendectomy D) Surgery

Answer 9

C) Appendectomy

Question 10

What type of cells does neuroblastoma originate from?

Answer 10

Neuroblasts, which are immature nerve cells.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The prognosis for neuroblastoma is generally better in ________ children.

Answer 11

younger

Question 12

True or False: Neuroblastoma can sometimes resolve without treatment.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What genetic mutation is often associated with neuroblastoma?

Answer 13

MYCN amplification.

Question 14

What staging system is commonly used for neuroblastoma?

Answer 14

The International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS).

Question 15

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common symptom of advanced neuroblastoma? A) Fever B) High blood pressure C) Bone pain D) All of the above

Answer 15

D) All of the above

Question 16

What is the role of the MYCN gene in neuroblastoma?

Answer 16

It is involved in cell growth and division, and its amplification is associated with aggressive disease.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Neuroblastoma primarily affects the ________ nervous system.

Answer 17

sympathetic

Question 18

True or False: Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

What is the typical age range for neuroblastoma diagnosis?

Answer 19

Between 1 and 2 years old.

Question 20

What is one of the main challenges in treating neuroblastoma?

Answer 20

The potential for the cancer to metastasize (spread) to other areas.

Question 21

Multiple Choice: Which treatment is NOT commonly used for neuroblastoma? A) Targeted therapy B) Immunotherapy C) Homeopathy D) Stem cell transplant

Answer 21

C) Homeopathy

Question 22

What imaging technique is often used to assess the spread of neuroblastoma?

Answer 22

PET scan.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Neuroblastoma can cause ________ syndrome, which includes symptoms such as flushing and diarrhea.

Answer 23

Horner’s

Question 24

True or False: Neuroblastoma has a high survival rate across all stages.

Answer 24

False

Question 25

What is the primary goal of neuroblastoma treatment?

Answer 25

To eliminate the cancer and prevent recurrence.

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of staging in oncology?

Answer 27

To determine the extent of cancer in the body and its size.

Question 28

True or False: Grading assesses how abnormal cancer cells look under a microscope.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The most commonly used staging system for cancer is the _____ system.

Answer 29

TNM

Question 30

What does the 'T' in TNM staging represent?

Answer 30

The size and extent of the primary tumor.

Question 31

What does the 'N' in TNM staging indicate?

Answer 31

The presence of regional lymph node involvement.

Question 32

What does the 'M' in TNM staging signify?

Answer 32

The presence of metastasis or spread to distant sites.

Question 33

Short answer: What is the difference between staging and grading?

Answer 33

Staging describes the extent of cancer, while grading assesses the appearance of cancer cells.

Question 34

Which grading system is often used for tumors?

Answer 34

The Gleason score for prostate cancer.

Question 35

True or False: A higher grade indicates a more differentiated tumor.

Answer 35

False

Question 36

Multiple choice: Which grade indicates poorly differentiated cancer? A) Grade 1 B) Grade 2 C) Grade 3 D) Grade 4

Answer 36

C) Grade 3

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The _____ stage indicates that cancer is localized.

Answer 37

Stage I

Question 38

What does a Grade 1 tumor indicate?

Answer 38

Well-differentiated and low malignancy potential.

Question 39

What is the highest grade in the grading system?

Answer 39

Grade 4

Question 40

True or False: Staging can change over time as the disease progresses.

Answer 40

True

Question 41

Short answer: Why is staging important for treatment planning?

Answer 41

It helps determine the appropriate treatment options based on cancer spread.

Question 42

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a factor in cancer staging? A) Tumor size B) Lymph node involvement C) Patient age

Answer 42

C) Patient age

Question 43

What does a Stage IV cancer diagnosis generally indicate?

Answer 43

The cancer has metastasized to distant organs.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: The _____ grade indicates that cells are very poorly differentiated.

Answer 44

Grade 4

Question 45

Short answer: How does grading influence prognosis?

Answer 45

Higher grades usually indicate a worse prognosis due to aggressive behavior.

Question 46

What is the purpose of using a standardized staging system?

Answer 46

To ensure consistent communication and treatment across healthcare providers.

Question 47

True or False: Staging and grading are interchangeable terms in oncology.

Answer 47

False

Question 48

Multiple choice: Which stage typically requires aggressive treatment? A) Stage I B) Stage II C) Stage III D) Stage IV

Answer 48

D) Stage IV

Question 49

Fill in the blank: A tumor that is classified as _____ is likely to grow and spread quickly.

Answer 49

high grade

Question 50

What is the significance of lymph node involvement in staging?

Answer 50

It indicates a higher likelihood of cancer spread.

Question 51

Short answer: How does grading affect treatment decisions?

Answer 51

It helps determine the aggressiveness of treatment needed based on tumor characteristics.

Question 52

True or False: All cancers are staged and graded using the same systems.

Answer 52

False

Question 53

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a component of the TNM system? A) Tumor size B) Metastasis C) Tumor grade

Answer 53

C) Tumor grade

Question 54

What is the most common type of pediatric brain tumor?

Answer 54

Medulloblastoma

Question 55

True or False: Ependymomas arise from ependymal cells lining the ventricles.

Answer 55

True

Question 56

Fill in the blank: __________ is a benign brain tumor commonly found in children that originates from glial cells.

Answer 56

Astrocytoma

Question 57

What are the two main categories of pediatric brain tumors?

Answer 57

Intrinsic and extrinsic tumors

Question 58

Which type of brain tumor is characterized by the presence of primitive neuroectodermal cells?

Answer 58

Medulloblastoma

Question 59

Multiple choice: Which of the following is a type of low-grade glioma? A) Medulloblastoma B) Pilocytic astrocytoma C) Ependymoma D) Pineoblastoma

Answer 59

B) Pilocytic astrocytoma

Question 60

What type of tumor arises from the pineal gland in children?

Answer 60

Pineoblastoma

Question 61

True or False: Craniopharyngiomas are always malignant tumors.

Answer 61

False

Question 62

Fill in the blank: __________ tumors are often associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Answer 62

Optic nerve gliomas

Question 63

What is the typical age range for the diagnosis of medulloblastoma?

Answer 63

3 to 8 years old

Question 64

Which tumor type is often found in the cerebellum and is known to have a better prognosis?

Answer 64

Pilocytic astrocytoma

Question 65

Multiple choice: Which of the following tumors is more common in younger children? A) Ependymoma B) Brainstem glioma C) Oligodendroglioma D) Meningioma

Answer 65

B) Brainstem glioma

Question 66

True or False: Ependymomas can occur in the spinal cord.

Answer 66

True

Question 67

What is a common symptom of brain tumors in children?

Answer 67

Headaches

Question 68

Fill in the blank: __________ is the most common location for medulloblastomas.

Answer 68

Cerebellum

Question 69

What type of brain tumor is associated with the presence of cystic lesions?

Answer 69

Pilocytic astrocytoma

Question 70

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a common treatment for pediatric brain tumors? A) Surgery B) Radiation therapy C) Chemotherapy D) Antibiotics

Answer 70

D) Antibiotics

Question 71

True or False: Brainstem gliomas are typically low-grade tumors.

Answer 71

False

Question 72

What is the primary treatment option for most pediatric brain tumors?

Answer 72

Surgery

Question 73

Fill in the blank: __________ tumors may cause endocrine dysfunction due to their location near the pituitary gland.

Answer 73

Craniopharyngiomas

Question 74

What is the prognosis for pediatric brain tumors generally compared to adult brain tumors?

Answer 74

Better prognosis

Question 75

True or False: Neuroblastoma is classified as a brain tumor.

Answer 75

False

Question 76

What type of imaging is commonly used to diagnose brain tumors in children?

Answer 76

MRI

Question 77

Fill in the blank: __________ is a rare and aggressive type of brain tumor that can occur in children.

Answer 77

Pineoblastoma

Question 78

Which type of tumor is typically found in the third ventricle of the brain?

Answer 78

Craniopharyngioma

Question 79

Proton vs Photon Radiation

Answer 79

Proton radiation therapy (PRT) and photon radiation therapy (XRT) are both external beam radiation therapies used to treat cancer, but they differ in how they deliver energy PRT uses beams of protons, which are smaller, positively charged particles that stop abruptly at a specific depth (the Bragg peak), minimizing damage to healthy tissues beyond the tumor. Proton therapy is often a higher cost and less accessible because of specialized equipment XRT uses X-rays, or photons, which penetrate deeper and distribute energy more broadly, potentially causing more damage to surrounding tissues. In pediatric oncology, PRT is often favored for its potential to spare healthy tissues, especially in brain and central nervous system tumors, where long-term cognitive and neurological effects are a concern Photons pass through the cancer and out the other side, so on this exit, they hit normal cells and tissue. Proton therapy, on the other hand, stops at the tumor. There is no exit dose.

Question 80

Why is brain tumor staging not standard practice?

Answer 80

Brain tumor "staging" is not a standard practice, as brain tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body, so the focus is on grading, which classifies tumors based on their aggressiveness and how quickly they grow.

Question 81

WHO Grading Scale

Answer 81

Grade 1-4: Grade 1: Low-grade, slow-growing, and less likely to spread. Grade 2: Low-grade, but may grow into nearby areas, making them harder to remove with surgery. Grade 3: High-grade, fast-growing, and spread into nearby brain tissue. Grade 4: High-grade, fastest-growing, and most aggressive.

Question 82

What is the difference between gliomas, glioblastomas and astrocytomas?

Answer 82

Gliomas: Gliomas are a broad group of brain tumors that develop from glial cells, which provide support and structure to the brain. Astrocytomas: Astrocytomas are a specific type of glioma that arises from astrocytes, the most common type of glial cell in the brain. Glioblastomas: Glioblastomas are a high-grade, aggressive type of astrocytoma, also classified as a glioma. They are the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults.

Question 83

Why is bactrim used for pediatric oncology patients?

Answer 83

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) is a common prophylactic antibiotic used in pediatric oncology, particularly for preventing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Bactrim is often the first-line drug for preventing PCP, a serious opportunistic infection in immunocompromised children. The oncologist explained it this way. Bactrim® is the best prophylactic antibiotic for PCP (pneumocystis), but it can affect counts. Pentamidine IV can affect counts, but nebulizer treatments (once a month) usually don’t. Dapsone® can be used, but it can cause anemia. We just started the Dapsone® because Katie was starting to buck the nebulizer treatment because it smells and tastes horrible. The Bactrim® costs about $3/month, the Dapsone about $7/month, and the pentamidine nebulizer treatment is about $300/month!