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General Pediatric Oncology Overview

 

 

What is Oncology?

 

 

Oncology is the branch of medicine that studies and cares for patients with cancer.

The term originates from the Greek Logos (ογκος), and means mass or tumor. The suffix -ology, means "study of".

 

There are significant differences between normal and cancer cells:

NORMAL CELLS

MALIGNANT CELLS

Perform genetically intended function

Mutated DNA alters instructions  for function

Support host with beneficial functions

Parasitic to host/ no beneficial function

Controlled reproduction

Uncontrolled reproduction

Remain in specified location

Invade surrounding tissues and metastasize

Apoptosis (programmed cell death)

Immortal

Cell birth = cell death

Cell birth > cell death

These differences make cancer a life threatening disease.

 

Pediatric Oncology concerns cancers in children between birth (sometimes cancers like neuroblastoma can even be diagnosed prenatally) and up to the age of 18 years or so.

Oncology involves studying many aspects of different cancers - their incidence, causes, diagnosis, spread and treatment. More recently there has been increased awareness of the importance of patient supportive care, ethical considerations and patient advocacy.

Also as the effectiveness of therapy has improved, it has become obvious that cancer cure comes at a price. Survivors of childhood cancer are at significantly increased risk for long term health and psychosocial problems.

This basic oncology module has been developed by oncologists at the BC Children's Hospital and the BC Cancer Agency for medical students. It is designed to complement the undergraduate curriculum and to spark your interest in this important subject.

 

Link to New York Times multimedia presentation:

 

Link to words of hope art project:

 

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