5929 (v.3) Oncology 527

Area:	School of Pharmacy
Credits:	25.0
Contact Hours:	4.0
Lecture:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Tutorial:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Prerequisite(s):	5485 (v.5) Clinical Investigations 528 or any previous version AND 6030 (v.6) Clinical Pharmacy 528 or any previous version AND 6079 (v.6) Clinical Pharmacy 527 or any previous version
Syllabus:	Review of malignant disease and its management. Clinical pharmacy services to the cancer patients. Basic concepts of cancer therapy, cell kinetics, pharmacokinetics of neoplastic drugs. Pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutic application of cytotoxic, hormonal and supportive care drugs used in the treatment of cancer. The clinical use of cytotoxic drugs, selection of complications, adverse reactions, interactions, toxicity, infections, administration methods and drug information. Combined modality treatment, interaction of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Drug monitoring for patients affected by malignant disease.

Unit Outcomes:	On successful completion of this unit students will have - Developed an appreciation of the basic biology of cancer cell growth - in particular carcinogenesis, gene regulation, oncogenes, cell cycle growth characteristics, apoptosis, tumour mass growth kinetics, genetic instability, metatastic spread and cancer heterogeneity. Developed an appreciation the common complications of cancer in general - and have a practical knowledge for the management of pain, infection, hypercalcaemia and bone related complications and cachexia. Demonstrated an understanding of the relative importance and relationships between surgery, radiotherapy, cytotoxic therapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and cytokine use for common cancers. Developed an understanding of the basic principles underlying the use of cytotoxic antineoplastic agents as they apply to - cyclical cytotoxic drug use, adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies, rationale drug combination design, high-dose and dose intense therapies. Developed an appreciation forthe use of blood stem cell transplants in cancer treatment.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	Chabner B. and Longo D.L., (1996), Cancer Chemotherapy and Biotherapy - Principles and Practice, Philadelphia, Lippincott Co. De Vita V.R., Hellman S. and Rosenberg S.A., (Eds.), (1997) Cancer - Principles and Practice of Oncology, 5th ed., Philadelphia,Lippincott Co. Dorr R.T.and von Hoff D.D., (1994), Cancer Chemotherapy Handbook, 2nd ed., Norwalk, Appleton Lange. Peckham M., Pinedo H. and Veronesi U., (1995), Oxford Textbook of Oncology, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Gilman A.G., Goodman L.S., Rall T.W. and Morad F., (Eds.), (1985), Goodman and Gilman's -The Pharmaceutical Basis of Therapeutics, 7th ed., New York, MacMillan Publishing Company. Fauci A.S., Braunwald E., Isselbacher K., Wilson P.J.D., Martin J.B., Kasper D.L., Hauser S.L. and LongoD.L., (Eds.), (1998), Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicines, 14th ed., New York, McGraw-Hill International Book Company.Tannock I.F. and Hill R.P., (Eds.), (1992), The Basic Science of Oncology, 2nd ed., New York, McGraw-Hill. Pratt W.B., Ruddon R.W., Ensminger W.D.and Maybaum J., (1994), The Anti-Cancer Drugs, 2nd ed., New York, Oxford University Press.
Unit Texts:	No prescribed texts.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Presentation with Summary/Case Reports 20%. Oral Examination 30%. Written Examination 50%. This is by grade/mark assessment.