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Module Title
LM Cancer Therapy
School
School of Medical Sciences
Department
Inst of Cancer / Genomic Sci
Module Code
01 29330
Module Lead
Drs Emilio Porfiri, Mariam Jafri and Jean Assender
Level
Masters Level
Credits
20
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
Should meet standard entry requirements of the Clinical Oncology programme
Exclusions
Description
This module will explain the scientific basis on which cytotoxic and novel treatment strategies for cancer have been and are being developed. An overview of how radiation affects cells and how this is utilised in radiotherapy will also be given. This conceptual knowledge will be integrated with information on the systemic and radiological management of particular cancers and detailed discussions take place on how particular cases might be treated and novel approaches integrated with current best practice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Explain the biological basis of cytotoxic drug action and give examples of such drugs and their use in treating cancer
Describe the mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy, hormone and novel therapies
Describe where it is most appropriate to the use of radiation to treat cancer, its rationale, and the evidence base for its use.
Discuss the use of hormone antagonist therapy and its application to the treatment of breast and prostate cancer
Describe developments in treatment therapy, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs and when and how these are used
Explain how immunotherapy is being used to treat cancer patients
For major forms of cancer, be able to discuss clinical management options and explain what would be the most appropriate course of treatment be it radiotherapy, chemotherapy or use of a novel therapy.
Describe the management of treatment side effects and how these can best be minimised
Assessment
There will be two equally weighted compulsory elements to the assessment:
- MCQ examination: 1.5 hour (40% of module mark).
- Case Development: Students will be assigned to a multidisciplinary group to develop a case relating to an assigned cancer site. (Group mark, 5% of module mark)
- Written assignment (3000 words): Based on the case that they developed, each student will outline one component of the patient's care plan. Marks will be awarded for the accuracy of understanding of the therapeutic approach and critical analysis of the evidence for that approach (55% of module mark).
Reassessment
If a students fails the module, they will be required to repeat the failed component only.
Students failing the case commentary will be required to re-write it based in the feedback provided.
Failure to submit the assignment or attend the exam will mean that the student has failed that component and will be required to re-sit it.
