Ateneo - UPO

The integrated course of Oncological Sciences includes three modules: medical oncology, radiotherapy and onco-haematology. More details are given in the program of the modules.

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The aim of the course is to furnish knowledge, skils and abilities to understand the biological mechanisms of cancer development and the main aspects of epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis and treatment of most of the tumors.

Basic knowledge of physics, biology, anatomy, physiology, general pathology, radiobiology, radiology, pharmacology, medical pathology and surgical pathology.

Teaching lessons with powerpoint slides and movies. Open discussion about the various topics of the program. Availability of slides and other documentation used and recommended during the lessions.

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The final exam is composed by a written test and an oral colloquium. The multiple-choice test (5 answers, only 1 right) includes 10 questions per each module and it is about onco-hematology, medical oncology radiobiology, radioprotection and techniques of radiotherapy. The minimum score to pass is 18/30. The oral colloquium is about the program of medical oncology and clinical radiotherapy. The final score is based on both written test and oral colloquium and takes into account the acquired knowledge in the oncology field and the ability to correlate preclinical and clinical knowledge regarding oncological sciences. In particular, the basic knowledge about natural history, diagnosis and principles of cancer treatment of the main tumor types will be considered to reach the minimum score, while more in-depth knowledge and ability to correlate knowledge and skills will allow to reach higher scores.

The program of the integrated Course of Oncological Sciences concerns the three teaching modules of Onco-Hematology, Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy. See below the details of the three teaching modules. Onco-Hematology General concepts of lymphoid neoplasia -Histogenesis of lymphoid neoplasia -Molecular pathology of lymphoid neoplasia -Methodology of classification of lymphoid neoplasia -Lab and imaging diagnostics of lymphoid neoplasia -Signs and symptoms of lymphoid neoplasia Main lymphoid neoplasms -Indolent and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas -Hodgkin lymphoma -Monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia -Hairy cell leukemia -Monoclonal gammopathies: MGUS, multiple myeloma and other plasma cell neoplasms Novel therapeutic strategies for lymphoid neoplasia -Immunotherapy -Cell therapies -Precision medicine applied to lymphoid neoplasia Clinical research in Hematology -Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials in hematoncology -“Benefit sharing” in hematoncology and ethical implications of globalized clinical research Medical Oncology Principles of tumor biology and personalized medicine. Epidemiology and etiology Natural history, survival and response to therapy Diagnosis, staging, prognostic factors, tumor markers Prevention and early diagnosis. Outline of clinical trial methodology. Impact of fake news in oncology. Principles of therapy The integrated therapeutic approach Medical treatment of the main neoplasms. The different types of anticancer drugs. Toxicity of antiblastic drugs General information on palliative care Treatment of Cancer Specific Symptoms and Complications Breast neoplasms Colorectal neoplasms Lung neoplasms Neoplasms of the cervical-cephalic region Neoplasms of the oral cavity and lips Gynecological neoplasms Neoplasms of the urinary system and male reproductive system Neoplasms of the skin - Melanoma Neoplasms of the pancreas and biliary tract. Gastric and hepatic neoplasms Multidisciplinary seminars with presentation of clinical cases on the main neoplasms Radiotherapy Radiobiology General aspects of ionizing radiations. Natural radioactivity. Historical notes. Physical, chemical and biological phases of interactions between radiation and human tissues. Direct and indirect effects. Damage to DNA and repair mechanisms. International Units. LET, RBE. Cell survival curves. Linear-quadratic model. Serial and parallel architecture of organs. Dose fractionation. Radiosensitivity. Repair of subletal damage. Recruitment in cell cycle. Re-oxygenation. Cell repopulation. TCP and NTCP Radioprotection Natural and artificial sources of radiation. Graduate and non-graduate effects. Early and late effects. Oncogenesis. National laws on Radioprotection. Techniques of radiotherapy External beam radiotherapy with linear accelerator. 3D-CRT, IMRT, IGRT, SRS, IORT, Hadrontherapy. Simulation with CT-scan, MRI, PET, SPECT. Treatment volumes (ICRU). Preparation of a treatment plan and treatment delivery. Brachytherapy with HDR, LDR, PDR. Clinical radiotherapy General aspects. Dose-response curves. Combination with surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy. Concepts of preoperative and postoperative treatments. Indications, results and side effects of radiotherapy for the following tumors: -head and neck, -CNS, -lung and other intra-thoracic tumors, -breast, -gastro-intestinal tract, -genito-urinary tract, -gynecological tumors, -bone and soft tissue sarcoma, -pediatric tumors, -lymphoma.

Knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology, diagnosis and main therapeutic armamentarium of lymphoid malignancies. Knowledge and understanding of the importance of the use of molecular diagnostics for choosing the best therapeutic strategy for each patient. Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, staging and treatment of solid neoplasms. Knowledge of symptom and management aspects in the palliative setting. Knowledge and skills about radiobiology and radioprotection. Knowledge about the biology principles and technology aspects at the basis of radiotherapy. Knowledge of indications to radiotherapy and skills about the appropriate use of radiotherapy based on tumor and patient characteristics.