Clinical Oncology – Previous Examination Papers
5.
Discuss the case for and against population-based screening for the detection of cancers and explain
how this differs from case finding.
What criteria make a screening test useful? Give examples to illustrate your answer.
6.
Discuss the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and management of cancer-related hypercalcaemia.
August 2005
1.
Evaluate the role of population screening for female breast cancer.
2.
Discuss the management of anxiety and depression for patients with cancer.
3.
Discuss the management of spinal cord compression by malignancy.
4.
A 54 year old man presented with unsteady gait and vertigo 3 years following a pneumonectomy for an
adenocarcinoma of the right lung. CT imaging revealed a 2cm lesion in the cerebellum consistent with a
metastasis.
Discuss how you would further investigate and manage this patient.
5.
Discuss your management of a 65 year old man with hormone refractory prostate cancer that is
metastatic to bone.
6.
Discuss superior vena caval obstruction in cancer patients.
February 2005
1.
Discuss quality assurance and audit in the delivery of radiotherapy.
2.
Discuss the management of confusion in patients with malignancy.
3.
Discuss the diagnosis and management of meningeal involvement by malignancy.
4.
Discuss the role of bisphosphonates in the management of malignant disease.
5.
Discuss the late effects of cancer treatment in children and how they might be modified.
6.
Discuss the non-surgical treatments for superficial Basal Cell Carcinomas and actinic changes of the skin.
August 2004
1.
Evaluate the role of Positron Emission Tomography in the management of malignant disease.
2.
Discuss the use of chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.
3.
A 32 year old nulliparous woman presents with Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin's Disease in her Left neck
and upper mediastinum. Discuss your management with particular reference to the late effects of
treatment.
4.
Describe your approach to conveying bad news to your patients and their families.
5.
Evaluate the follow up of patients treated for malignant disease.
6.
What factors determine your management of patients who develop ureteric compression and renal failure
due to pelvic malignant disease.
February 2004
1.
Evaluate the arguments and evidence for and against population-based screening for prostate cancer.
2.
Discuss the management of depression in patients with terminal malignancy.
3.
Discuss the use of adjuvant hormone therapy in the management of post-menopausal women with breast
carcinoma.
4.
Evaluate the role of radiation therapy in follicular and “MALT” lymphomas.
5.
Evaluate the role of chemotherapy in non-small cell carcinoma of the lung.
6.
You are charged with setting up your new department’s clinical database. State your requirements for
collection and content of data, assuming your system will be in place for 10 years. Discuss how it will
enable clinical research and audit.
July 2003
1.
Discuss the use of chemotherapy in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
2.
Patients with terminal malignancy may suffer shortness of breath. Evaluate the causes and discuss how
they may be alleviated.
3.
Discuss the malignancies that may sometimes occur in pregnancy and describe how the pregnancy will
affect their management.
4
Discuss the indications and evidence supporting resection of metastatic disease at various sites.
5.
Evaluate the usefulness and potential of familial cancer clinics and genetic testing.
6.
Due to staff shortages your department has developed a 6 week waiting list for routine radiation
treatment. How might the impact of this on patient care be minimized?
February 2003
1.
Discuss the effects of anti-cancer treatment on fertility. Illustrate how you would discuss the impact of this
with patients and their families.
2.
Discuss the concept of "Levels of evidence" and describe with examples how this informs your use of
evidence based medicine.
3.
Describe how you would advise a premenopausal woman with carcinoma of the breast regarding her
options for systemic adjuvant therapy.
