Introduction to Clinical Oncology
Introductory video transcript:English | Español | Português | 中文
Course Overview
The Introduction to Clinical Oncology course provides an overview of the key foundational concepts in cancer care and is taught by faculty and other cancer professionals at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The course is intended for physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, clinical pharmacists, and other health care professionals as well as students, residents, and fellows. The course covers cancer prevention and risk assessment, diagnosis and screening of hematological and solid tumors, and various treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation therapy, and drug treatment. Additional lectures are provided on oncologic emergencies, symptom management, palliative care, and survivorship care.
Course Overview: Español | Português | 中文 | 日本語訳
Accreditation/Credit Designation
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 10.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity
The Palliative Care Lecture, Parts I, II and III, has been designated by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
Lectures
- History of Cancer
- Clinical Trials
- Cancer Risk Factors
- Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment
- Cancer Prevention
- Screening for Cancer
- Solid Tumors: Diagnosis and Staging
- Hematologic Malignancies: Diagnosing and Staging
- Treatment Modalities
- Oncologic Emergencies
- Supportive Management
- Palliative Care
- Cancer Survivorship
History of Cancer 
Presenter: Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President
Professor, Department of GI Medical Oncology
Summary: Dr. Raymond Dubois, the Provost and Executive Vice President of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presents this lecture on the history of cancer care. This broad introduction to the field of clinical oncology takes a historical perceptive by reviewing trends in diagnosis, treatment, and survival and providing projections for changes to the field in the future. He discusses how investments in research have significantly impacted other serious health issues and considers how similar investments may result in improvement in outcomes for patients facing cancer.
Clinical Trials
Presenter: Maurie Markman, M.D.
Former Vice President, Clinical Research
Professor, Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology
Summary: Dr. Maurie Markman, the former Vice President of Clinical Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presents a lecture on clinical research in oncology. Various phases of clinical trials and endpoints for cancer clinical trials are discussed. Ethical principles specific to clinical research are discussed, including methods to ensure ethical treatment of patients participating in clinical trials.
Cancer Risk Factors
Presenter: Patrick Lynch, M.D.
Professor, Department of Gastroenterology
Hepatology and Nutrition
Summary: Dr. Patrick Lynch, a professor in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the risk factors for malignancy including environmental, occupational, infectious, and biological factors. Dr. Lynch also emphasizes the impact of family history on cancer risk and provides other important examples of factors affecting the risk of common malignancies including breast, colon, endometrial, ovarian, cervical, lung, and thyroid cancers and melanoma.
Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment
Presenter: Thuy Vu, M.S.
Genetic Counselor
Department of Surgical Oncology
Summary: Ms. Thuy Vu, a genetic counselor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presents this lecture on genetic risk assessment for cancer patients and their families. This presentation reviews red flags in patient histories that suggest possible hereditary cancers. She reviews the process of genetic counseling and indications for genetic testing.
Cancer Prevention
Presenter: Sally Scroggs, MS, RD, LD
Manager, Health Education Cancer Prevention Center
Presenter: Therese B. Bevers, M.D.
Professor, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention
Summary: Ms. Sally Scroggs, a licensed dietician and the Manager of Health Education in the Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, and Dr. Therese Bevers, a professor in the Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention and Medical Director of the Cancer Prevention Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provide this two part presentation on cancer prevention. In Part 1 of this lecture series, Ms. Scroggs introduces cancer risk assessment and discusses health promotion and lifestyle and diet modification strategies for reducing cancer risk in the general population. In Part 2, Dr. Bevers discusses surgical interventions for breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers and describes chemoprevention strategies for preventing the development of cancer in patients at an increased risk of the disease.
Screening for Cancer
Presenter: Therese B. Bevers, M.D.
Professor
Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention
Summary: Dr. Therese Bevers, a professor in the Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention and the Medical Director of the Cancer Prevention Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provides this presentation on cancer screening. Dr. Bevers describes the characteristics of patient populations that are appropriate for screening, discusses the evidence supporting current screening recommendations, and contrasts screening tests with diagnostic tests. Dr. Bevers also defines common terms that are used to evaluate the efficacy of screening tests and provides reliable sources of cancer screening guidelines.
Solid Tumors: Diagnosis and Staging
Presenter: Maura Polansky, MS, MHPE, PA-C
Program Director
Physician Assistant Education
Summary: Ms. Maura Polansky, a physician assistant in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and the program director of Physician Assistant Education at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provides this lecture on the diagnosis and staging of solid tumors. Ms. Polansky discusses the process involved in making an initial diagnosis of various types of solid tumors, introduces the TNM staging system, and details the parameters involved in assessing the primary tumor, regional lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis. Ms. Polansky also describes various imaging studies used to diagnose and stage solid tumors.
Hematologic Malignancies: Diagnosing and Staging
Presenter: Tapan Kadia, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Leukemia
Presenter: Jorge Romaguera, M.D.
Professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma
Summary: Dr. Tapan Kadia, an assistant professor in the Department of Leukemia and Dr. Jorge Romaguera, a professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, present lectures on the Diagnosis and Staging of Hematologic Malignancies. In Part 1 of this lecture, Dr. Kadia reviews the normal hematologic and lymphatic systems and describes the role of each hematologic cell type. Dr. Kadia also defines cytopenia; discusses the presentation, diagnosis, and staging of leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes; and describes the similarities and differences between myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. In Part 2, Dr. Romaguera introduces lymphomas and compares and contrasts Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Dr. Romaguera also discusses the clinical presentation of these diseases as well as the hematologic, radiographic, and pathologic findings used to classify and stage each.
Summary and Learning Objectives Part 1: Español | Português | 中文
Summary and Learning Objectives Part 2: Español | Português | 中文
Treatment Modalities: Surgery
Presenter: Barry Feig, M.D.
Professor
Department of Surgical Oncology
Summary: Dr. Barry Feig, a professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the role of surgery in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Dr. Feig explains the various types of biopsies used in diagnosing cancer, the role of surgery in the treatment and palliation of cancer, and the complications sometimes encountered after surgery.
Treatment Modalities: Radiation Therapy
Presenter: Prajnan Das, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology
Summary: Dr. Prajnan Das, an associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, reviews the basic principles of radiation therapy and its role in the treatment of malignancy. Dr. Das defines the key concepts and common terminology associated with radiation therapy. Treatment planning and delivery are considered, as well as the roles of, and indications for, radiation therapy in the management of cancer. Acute and late effects are also discussed.
Treatment Modalities: Drug Therapy
Presenter: Hillary Prescott, Pharm.D., BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Division of Pharmacy
Presenter: Jeff Bryan, Pharm.D.
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Division of Pharmacy
Summary: Dr. Hillary Prescott and Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, clinical pharmacy specialists in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provide this two part presentation on the role of drug therapy as a treatment modality for cancer. In Part 1 of this lecture, Dr. Prescott discusses the goals and various roles of drug therapy in the treatment of patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Dr. Prescott introduces the classes of chemotherapeutic agents and how chemotherapy and hormone therapy differ. In Part 2, Dr. Bryan discusses several types of immune-based and targeted therapies and reviews the common toxicities of various drugs and the factors that influence drug toxicity.
Treatment Modalities: Stem Cell Transplants
Presenter: Soonja Roberson, M.A., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Department of Stem Cell Transplantation
Summary: Ms. Soonja Roberson, a former physician assistant in the Department of Stem Cell Transplant at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, reviews the role of stem cell transplantation for the treatment of malignancies. She discusses the methods of obtaining and transplanting stem cells, distinguishing among autologous, allogenic, and umbilical cord sources for stem cells. Indications for stem cell transplantation are reviewed, as are post-transplantation complications, with an emphasis on graft-versus-host disease.
Oncologic Emergencies
Presenter: John Patlan, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of General Internal Medicine
Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care
Summary: Dr. John Patlan, an associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presents this two-part lecture on oncologic emergencies. Dr. Patlan discusses the diagnosis and treatment of common emergencies associated with cancer and anticancer treatment. Structural and metabolic emergencies are covered in Part I, whereas infectious complications and hematologic emergencies are covered in Part II.
Supportive Management
Presenter: Cynthia Abarado, MS, RN, GNP-BC.
Advanced Practice Nurse
Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology
Summary: Ms. Cynthia Abarado, an advanced practice nurse in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presents this lecture on supportive management of cancer-related symptoms. Ms. Abarado identifies common cancer-related symptoms and reviews the process of assessing cancer patients for the presence and severity of such symptoms. She also discusses the management of and therapeutic interventions for cancer-related pain, fatigue, and malnutrition. The side effects of opioids, including constipation, nausea, and sedation, are also discussed.
Summary and Learning Objectives (Cancer-related Symptoms): Español |
Português | 中文
Summary and Learning Objectives (Treatment-related Effects): Español |
Português | 中文
Palliative Care
Presenter: Donna Zhukovsky, M.D.
Professor
Department of Palliative Care and Rehab Medicine
Summary: Dr. Donna Zhukovsky, a professor in the Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presents a three part lecture series on palliative care for cancer patients. In Part 1 of this lecture, Dr. Zhukovsky introduces and defines palliative care, emphasizing the symptoms that patients with advanced cancer commonly experience, and discusses clinical approaches to assessing and managing such symptoms. In Part 2, Dr. Zhukovsky discusses advance care planning, defines different advance directives used to support advance care planning, and notes the similarities and differences among medical powers of attorney, living wills, and out-of-hospital DNR orders. She also provides a framework for discussing end-of-life care issues with patients and their families. In Part 3, Dr. Zhukovsky describes models of palliative care in the United States and introduces hospice care. In addition, Dr. Zhukovsky describes the key differences between home care and hospice care and explains the requirement for hospice admission criteria.
Cancer Survivorship
Presenter: Alma Rodriguez, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma
Summary: Dr. Alma Rodriguez, the Vice President of Medical Affairs and professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provides this lecture on cancer survivorship. In this lesson, she defines cancer survivorship and discusses the expanding population of cancer survivors. A variety of common sequelae of cancer therapy are discussed as well as other issues facing cancer survivors, including cancer surveillance, risk of second primary cancers, and psychosocial and economic concerns. The MD Anderson Survivorship Passport is introduced, and the importance of primary care providers in providing survivorship care is emphasized.
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