Aims: To familiarise the student with recent advances in molecular and cellular processes underlying tumour development and its treatment.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, the student should be able to demonstrate a systematic understanding of the disease process in cancer, and the complexity of its treatment, and to apply this knowledge to resolve conflicting issues and thus identify and evaluate rational treatment in their professional practice.
Skills:
Handling information (F/A), Problem solving (T/F/A).
Content:
Epidemiological studies of cancer and a recognition of how this approach retains validity. Chemical mutagenesis. Cellular biology of tumour development including apoptosis, oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. The molecular mechanisms of action of the major classes of medicines currently in use and their shortcomings. Immunotherapy and immunotoxins as therapeutic agents. The clinical setting; palliative or curative treatment, relationship to surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, risk-benefit analysis and an awareness of the CRM Guidelines on safe handling of cytotoxic agents.
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