Onocologist Paper

Classification of cancer determines appropriate treatment and helps determine the prognosis. Cancer develops progressively from an alteration in a cell's genetic structure due to mutations, to cells with uncontrolled growth patterns. Classification is m

e according to the site of origin, histology (or cell analysis; called grading), and the extent of the disease (called staging).

Site of Origin

This classification describes the type of tissue in which the cancer cells begin to develop.

Here are some common examples of site of origin classification:

Adenocarcinoma - originates in glandular tissue

Blastoma - originates in embryonic tissue of organs

Carcinoma - originates in epithelial tissue (i.e., tissue that lines organs and tubes)

Leukemia - originates in tissues that form blood cells

Lymphoma - originates in lymphatic tissue

Myeloma - originates in bone marrow

Sarcoma - originates in connective or supportive tissue (e.g., bone, cartilage, muscle)

Grading

Grading involves examining tumor cells that have been obtained through biopsy under a microscope. The abnormality of the cells determines the grade of the cancer. Increasing abnormality increases the grade, from 1 - 4. Cells that are well differentiated

losely resemble mature, specialized cells. Cells that are undifferentiated are highly abnormal, that is, immature and primitive.

Grade 1 Cells slightly abnormal and well differentiated

Grade 2 Cells more abnormal and moderately differentiated

Grade 3 Cells very abnormal and poorly differentiated

Grade 4 Cells immature and undifferentiated

Staging

Staging is the classification of the extent of the disease. There are several types of staging methods. The tumor, node, metastases (TNM) system classifies cancer by tumor size (T), the degree of regional spread or node involvement (N), and distant meta

asis (M).

Tumor (T)

T0 No evidence of tumor

Tis Carcinoma in situ (limited to surface cells)

T1-4 Increasing tumor size and involvement

Node (N)

N0 No lymph node involvement

N1-4 Increasing degrees of lymph node involvement

Nx Lymph node involvement cannot be assessed

Metastases (M)

M0 No evidence of distant metastases

M1 Evidence of distant metastases

A numerical system also is used to classify the extent of disease.

Stage 0 Cancer in situ (limited to surface cells)

Stage I Cancer limited to the tissue of origin, evidence of tumor growth

Stage II Limited local spread of cancerous cells

Stage III Extensive local and regional spread

Stage IV Distant metastasis

A doctor who specialises in treating cancer. A clinical oncologist, or radiotherapist, specialises in treating cancer with radiation, and a medical oncologist specialises in treating cancer with drugs.

A doctor who specializes in the treatment and prognosis of cancer. Oncologists may be specialists in particular areas such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.

the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions

scientific study of the composition, structure, and properties of substances and the changes they undergo

The study of the composition, structure, and other properties of substances and the transformations that they experience

Radiation Oncologist

Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology, , Bachelor of Science - Biology and Chemistry, Medical Doctor

Your yearly salary (gross): $300,000 (optional)

6)_Job description (summary of your duties): [Describe (a)things you accomplish, (b)equipment you work with, (c)management tasks you perform, (d) percent of time at each kind of task (if applicable), etc.]

Take care of cancer patients needing radiation therapy. Provide direction to technicians, therapists, physicist, and nurses to organize treatments which range from 2 weeks to 10 weeks. Use of Linear accelerators. I use simulators and high dose rate mach

ery as well as radioactive agents used to deliver radiation. Also daily care of patients.

How did you get into this career? And what was your career path to your present position?

[SEE ABOVE] Enjoy challenge of cancer management on

biologic basis.

Stresses and

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