Oncology
Written by Rhiana Devadasan
65) Surgical oncology - basics. Epidemiology of cancer. Biology of malignant transformation. Contemporary theories of carcinogenesis.
66) Neoplasm - definition, etiology and pathogenesis. Genetic aspects.
67) Early diagnosis of malignant diseases - screening methods. Diagnostic tests.
68) General principles for the management of neoplasms. Ablastic and antiblastic. Complex methods of treatment - radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy.
69) Classification of neoplasm. Morphology and biology of tumors. Precancerosis. Paraneoplastic syndromes.
70) Clinical classification of malignant tumors. TNM system. Basic apparatus and instrumental tests. Morphological diagnosis. Tumor markers.
71) Benign and malignant tumors of epithelial origin.
72) Benign and malignant tumors of connective tissues.
73) Heterogeneous tumors.
BASICS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
Surgical oncology = the branch of surgery applied to oncology (oncology = the study and treatment of tumors). The speciality that focuses on the surgical treatment of a variety of tumors.
Surgical Treatment involves:
- Initial diagnosis
- Management of tumor & care of patient (along w/ a whole multidisciplinary team)
- Primary/definitive surgical therapy
removing the cancer & an area of healthy tissue surrounding it (i.e. a clear margin excision) & regional lymph nodes, in order to prevent recurrence of the cancer.
- Adjuvant therapy
radiation therapy and systemic therapies (e.g. chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy). Using the ALARA (as low as reasonably allowed) principle.
Types of surgeries:
The type of surgery depends on: the stage & location of the tumor, fitness of patient for surgery, etc.
- Debulking surgery = removing as much of the tumor as possible to relieve symptoms (such as pain, airway obstruction, bleeding), during cases in which it is not possible to remove the whole tumor.
- Oncoplastic surgery = the combines surgical approach of a plastic surgeon & surgical oncologist to improve the quality of patient's life.