Patient-centric Precision Oncology

Fac. Health, Medicine and Life Sciences

Patient-centric Precision Oncology

Full course description

Now-a-days, patients are put centrally in the plethora of treatment options and each case is discussed individually to increase treatment effectiveness, precision, survivability and quality of life. The best treatment for the patient is chosen in a multidisciplinary discussion based on guidelines and decision support systems (see for example th century, while chemotherapy, immunotherapy and newer targeted therapies are products from the 20thIncreased understanding of the underlying biological processes drives the evolutionary changes in cancer treatment. Already in ancient Egypt, surgical removal of tumors has been documented. First reports on hormonal and radiation therapy are from the late 19www.predictcancer.org or www.adjuvantonline.com). The choice of therapy (or therapy combinations) depends upon the location and grade of the tumor and the stage of the disease, indicating the importance of non-invasive imaging tools, as well as the general state of the patient (performance status) and his/her wishes.

The goal of cancer treatment is a complete removal of the cancer without damaging the rest of the body, i.e. achieving cure with near-zero adverse effects. For early stage cancers this can be accomplished by surgery. In general, effectiveness is only limited due to the propensity of cancers to invade adjacent tissue or to spread to distant sites by microscopic metastasis. Furthermore, other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy can have negative effects on normal healthy cells. Therefore, cure with non-negligible adverse effects may be accepted as a practical goal in some cases. Besides curative intent, practical goals of therapy can also include (1) suppressing the cancer to a subclinical state and maintaining that state for years of good quality of life (that is, treating the cancer as a chronic disease), and (2) palliative care without curative intent (for advanced-stage metastatic cancers).

Number of available places: 36

For more extensive information click this link: Electives Bachelor Medicine

Course objectives

Main goal

To learn about all multidisciplinary aspects related to Precision Oncology

Learning goals

To understand the workflow of a patient
To have a clear view of the contribution of the different disciplines within oncology:

Surgery
Radiotherapy
Systemic therapy (targeted, hormonal, chemo and immunotherapy)
Imaging
Physics
Biology
Computer sciences
Shared Decision Making

Outline of the program

The different disciplines contain one or more of the following components

tutorial
lecture
assignment
practical
skills lab
self-study cases
visits to for example imaging, radiotherapy and surgery facilities

International health themes (ITM major / minor)

Major: Cancer
Minor: Treatments, tumor biology, imaging, medical physics, Shared Decision Making.

Required knowledge

English, basic of anatomy, physiology and biology

Feedback

Teachers, assignments, exam

Way of assessment

Your learning will be assessed in the following ways:

Written exam at the end of the block. The written exam will test your knowledge on the topic acquired during lectures, cases, assignments, practicals, … The mark will be 70% of the total grade.
Group assignment practicum DNA repair to be delivered within one week after the practicum: 10% of the total grade
Individual assignment practicum image analysis to be delivered within one week after the practicum: 10% of the total grade
TNM assignment: 10% of the total grade

Final assessment

The assignments count for 30% and the written exam for 70%.
The final grade will be converted to an F/P/G with an F (fail) corresponds to a score of
A written re-exam will be provided upon a score of

Patient-centric Precision Oncology