Theme 1 - Radio Therapy Oncology

Question 1

Define oncology

Answer 1

The study and treatment of tumours

Question 2

Define cancer

Answer 2

A disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body

Question 3

Define tumour

Answer 3

Abnormal mass of cells. Tumours can be benign (non- cancerous) or malignant (cancerous)

Question 4

What are benign tumour characteristics

Answer 4

grow locally, do not spread, not cancerous, dangerous if pressing against vital organs

Question 5

What are malignant tumour characteristics

Answer 5

can spread and invade other tissues, key cancer feature, different types of malignancies

Question 6

Define metastasis

Answer 6

Process whereby cancer cells break free from malignant tumour and travel to and invade other body tissues

Question 7

Via which 2 systems can cancer cells metastasize?

Answer 7

lymphatic system and bloodstream

Question 8

What are primary cancers?

Answer 8

cancer cells in original tumour

Question 9

What are secondary cancers?

Answer 9

cancer cells travel from original tumour to other sites

Question 10

What is the pathogenesis of cancer?

Answer 10

Certain genes control cell life cycle (growth, function, division and death). When these genes are damaged, the balance between normal cell growth and death is lost. Cancer cells are caused by DNA damage and out-of-control cell growth.

Question 11

What are the 5 factors known to damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer?

Answer 11

gene mutations, environmental, microbes, lifestyle & diet, treatment

Question 12

Name an example of genetic mutations that can cause cancer

Answer 12

Mutations of genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 (linked to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers) can inhibit the body’s ability to safe-guard and repair DNA. Copies of these mutated genes can be passed on genetically.

Question 13

Name 2 environmental causes of cancer

Answer 13

sunlight (through UV radiation) and air pollutants (soot, wood dust, asbestos, and arsenic)

Question 14

Name 2 microbes that increase the risk of cancer

Answer 14

H. pylori (bacteria) -> gastric ulcers -> gastric cancer

EBV, HPV, Hepatitis B and C (viruses) linked to cancer

Question 15

List lifestyle choices that can lead to cancer

Answer 15

Eating a poor diet, inactivity, obesity, heavy alcohol use, tobacco use, exposure to chemicals and toxins

Question 16

How does cancer treatment cause secondary cancer?

Answer 16

Chemo, radiation, targeted treatments, immunosuppressive drugs: cause damage to healthy cells

Question 17

List 5 common cancer signs and symptoms

Answer 17

Unintended weight loss or weight gain
Pain 
Fatigue
Skin changes (redness, sores that won’t heal, jaundice, darkening)
Fever

Question 18

List 7 more obvious signs of cancer

Answer 18

Lumps/tumours (mass)
Difficulty swallowing 
Changes/difficulties with bowel/bladder function
Persistent cough/hoarseness 
Short of breath
Chest pain
Unexplained bleeding or discharge

Question 19

What are the 6 types of cancer?

Answer 19

Carcinoma, sarcoma, myeloma, leukaemia, lymphoma, mixed

Question 20

In which tissue do carcinomas arise?

Answer 20

epithelial tissue

Question 21

In which tissue do sarcomas arise?

Answer 21

connective tissue

Question 22

Where does myeloma cancer occur in the body?

Answer 22

plasma cells in bone marrow

Question 23

What is leukaemia?

Answer 23

Group of different blood cancers of the bone marrow, causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to enter bloodstream

Question 24

What is mixed cancer?

Answer 24

Cancers that arise from more than one type of tissue

Question 25

What is the cancer staging system?

Answer 25

TNM staging system

Question 26

What does TNM stand for and briefly explain each

Answer 26

T - tumour: primary tumour size/extent N - nodes: spread of cancer to lymph nodes ( in area of primary tumour) M - metastasis: spread of cancer to distant sites (away from primary tumour)

Question 27

What is stage 0 cancer?

Answer 27

Cancerous cells are confined to site of origin not spread/invading

Question 28

What is stage I cancer?

Answer 28

cancer still localised

Question 29

What is stage II cancer?

Answer 29

cancer is early locally advanced

Question 30

What is stage III cancer?

Answer 30

cancer is late locally advanced

Question 31

What is stage IV cancer?

Answer 31

cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes, tissues, organs, far away from original site

Question 32

What are the 3 main cancer treatment options?

Answer 32

surgery, radiation, chemotherapy

Question 33

What is the main difference between radical and palliative care?

Answer 33

Radical care aims to permanently rid patient of cancer, palliative care aims to alleviate symptoms caused by cancer and improve quality of life (no cure)

Question 34

What are the therapeutic approaches with regards to radical care?

Answer 34

Multiple treatment modalities combined in short period of time

Question 35

What are the therapeutic approaches with regards to palliative care?

Answer 35

Treatment modalities used on their own and in sequence, this reduces side-effects and ensures optimal quality of life

Question 36

What are the 6 main roles of the general practitioner in cancer therapy?

Answer 36

``` Screening and diagnosis Support at diagnosis & during treatment + end of life issues Treat related side-effects Identify Oncological Emergencies Post-treatment Follow-up Genetic Services ```