Introduction to Oncology and Chemotherapy

Course Description

Commonly available anti-cancer drugs will be reviewed, particularly in relation to mode of action, dose intensity and chemotherapy regimes. This will lead on to a detailed study of the range of side effects commonly and uncommonly experienced by people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Quality of life issues in terms of overall assessment and result interpretation will also be discussed.

Detailed consideration will be given to the treatment of major tumour types; breast, lung, upper gastrointestinal (GI), colorectal, ovarian and malignant melanoma and renal cancer. Each session will be presented by clinicians active in these areas and will focus on overall patient presentation and management, cancer diagnosis and staging. Following these sessions, our experts will lead delegates in interactive group discussions on the key issues relating to effective management of each tumour type.

The limitations of cytotoxic drugs currently available are well known. With this in mind, the course includes in-depth discussion on new drug development and identification of new pharmacological targets of particular interest and value. Clinical trial design issues will also be included.

CPD accreditation:
Healthcare's programmes are approved by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine for CPD accreditation.

Topics to be covered include:

• Cancer: Terminology and classification
• Introduction to anti-cancer drugs
• Side-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• New developments in cancer therapy
• Introduction to the major tumour types including;: breast, lung, colorectal, malignant melanoma, ovarian, GI and renal cancer
• Clinical trial issues in oncology