The course of Clinical Oncology is a mandatory course at the fourth year of Medical school, which consists of 15 lectures as well as 15 practical teachings, 30 in total (2.0 ECTS). Lectures will be held in a lecture hall at the Clinic in the Hospital of Rijeka,while the practical part will be demonstrated at the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Hospital of Rijeka.
The aim of this course is to introduce the medical students to the basics of origin of malignant diseases, main factors that cause it, cures and treatment as well as side effects.Another aim of this course is to incorporate knowledge on how to care about a terminally ill patient, and basic palliative care. Introducing the students to the measures of preventive treatments.
Syllabus: Students are taught about the biology of tumor growth and risk factors that can lead to malignant diseases.We shall be discussing the most common tumors and we will talk about each one as well as the basic therapy for a specific tumor. We shall be looking into the cytostatic treatment, radiotherapy (radical and palliative), biological therapy and hormonal therapy.Side effects of both oncological therapy,chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy will be looked into. We will also talk about palliative care and things that are done regarding palliative care. Prevention programmes in Croatia are also on the agenda.
Expected learning outcomes:
- Explain the molecular genetic basis of cancer
- Explain the way the immune system recognizes and fight malignant cells
- Explain findings on metastasis and angiogenesis
- Indicate the incidence and mortality of cancer in the country and the world
- List the basic risk factors for cancer
- Explain ways to prevent disease
- List and explain the basic therapy metods in oncology : radiotherapy, chemotherapy , biological therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and less applayed forms of treatments
- List the incidence of the disease and factor of risks , therapy possibilities , prognostic parameteres, prevention methods
Lectures will consist of both, theoretical and practical classes. Estimated course duration is 4 weeks time. After taking the final exam the student will be awarded with 2.0 ECTS points.