Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Courses

D.M. (Medical Oncology)

Course Curriculum

I. Practical Laboratory Training

• A. General Hematology and Oncology
  • Proper use and care of common instruments such as light microscope, centrifuge, water baths, freezers etc.
  • Blood sample collection - venepuncture and finger prick methods of sample collection, types of anticoagulants, containers and the effects of delay in processing and storage.
  • Review of normal and abnormal blood films with emphasis on morphology of red cells, white cells and platelets.
  • Performance of bone marrow aspiration; trephine needle biopsy
  • Staining and diagnostic evaluation of bone marrow aspirates. Interpretation of cytochemical stains including Sudan Black, Myleloperoxidase, specific and non specific esterases, acid phosphatase, PAS and iron staining.
• B. Cytogenetics
  • Familiarisation with cytogenetics, understanding the principles of cytogenetics and appreciating the relevance and significance of chromosomes in diagnostic hematology and oncology
• C. Transfusion Medicine
  • Donor evaluation & recruitment.
  • Clinical evaluation and screening of patients and donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
  • Phlebotomy of donors.
  • Collection, cryopreservation and storage of hematopoietic stem cells.
• D. Flow Cytometery
  • A working knowledge of the principle and practice of flowcytometery and interpretation of the clinical significance of common leukocyte immunophenotypes.
• E. Molecular Biology Module
  • Understanding the principles involved in the molecular diagnosis of hematological and oncological disorders.
    • PCR
    • FISH
    • RFLP and Southern Blotting.
    • Microarray technology

II. Clinical Oncology Training

• With appropriate guidance and under supervision, the post graduate trainee will be responsible primarily for the acquisition of knowledge in all areas of oncology. Such knowledge will be acquired and demonstrated through seminars, case presentations, journal clubs, tutorials and proper use of library for suggested reading and formal reviews of major selected topics. Faculty staff should be present at these various exercises so as to provide the appropriate inputs. When necessary faculty staff may be required to review certain subjects in form of formal lectures. Clinical experience will be acquired by the trainee by day to day management of all patients admitted to the various oncology services. Faculty will also be involved in teaching of trainees in the ward-rounds and outpatient clinics.

Course Contents

• Cancer Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Proliferation, Differentiation, and Apoptosis
  • Growth Factor Signal Transduction in Cancer
  • Oncogenes
  • Tumor Suppressor Gene Defects in
  • Recurring Chromosome Rearrangements in Human Cancer
  • Biochemistry of Cancer
  • Invasion and Metastases
  • Tumor Angiogenesis
• Tumor Immunology
  • Tumor Immunology
• Cancer Etiology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Cancer
  • Chemical Carcinogenesis
  • Hormones and the Etiology of Cancer
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Ultraviolet Radiation Carcinogenesis
  • Physical Carcinogens
  • Trauma and Inflammation
  • Tumor Viruses
  • Herpesviruses
  • Papillomaviruses and Cervical Neoplasia
  • Hepatitis Viruses
  • Parasites
• Cancer Epidemiology
  • Cancer Epidemiology
• Theory and Practice of Clinical Trials
  • Theory and Practice of Clinical Trials
• Cancer Prevention
  • Prevention of Tobacco-Related Cancers
  • Nutrition in the Etiology and Prevention of Cancer
  • Chemo-prevention of Cancer
  • Cytokinetics
  • Drug Resistance and its Clinical Circumvention
  • Principles of Dose, Schedule, and Combination
  • Chemotherapy
  • Regional Chemotherapy
  • Animal Models in Developmental Therapeutics
  • In Vitro and In Vivo Predictive Tests
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology by Organ System
• Chemotherapeutic Agents
  • Folate Antagonists
  • Pyrimidine and Purine Antimetabolites
  • Alkylating Agents and Platinum Antitumor Compounds
  • Anthracyclines and DNA Intercalators /
  • Epipodophyllotoxins / DNA Topoisomerases
  • Microtubule-Targeting Anticancer Drugs Derived from Plants and Microbes: Vinca
  • Alkaloids, Taxanes, and Epothilones, Asparaginase
• Principles of Endocrine Therapy
  • Steroid Hormone Binding and Hormone Receptors
  • Hypothalamic and Other Peptide Hormones
  • Corticosteroids
  • Estrogens and Antiestrogens
  • Clinical Use of Aromatase Inhibitors in Breast Carcinoma
  • Progestins
  • Androgen Deprivation Strategies in the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer
• Cancer Screening and Early Detection
  • Cancer Screening and Early Detection
• Principles of Cancer Pathology
  • Principles of Cancer Pathology
• Principles of Imaging
  • Imaging Cancer of Unknown Primary Site
  • Imaging Neoplasms of the Head and Neck and Central Nervous System
  • Imaging Neoplasms of the Thorax
  • Imaging Neoplasms of the Abdomen and Pelvis
  • Cross-Sectional Imaging of Musculoskeletal Neoplasms
  • Imaging the Breast
  • Ultrasound in Cancer Medicine
  • Radionuclide Imaging in Cancer Medicine
  • Perspectives in Imaging
  • Interventional Radiology for the Cancer Patient
• Principles of Surgical Oncology
  • Principles of Surgical Oncology
  • Vascular Access in Cancer Patients
• Principles of Radiation Oncology
  • Physical and Biologic Basis of Radiation Oncology
  • Principles of Hyperthermia
  • Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer
• Principles of Medical Oncology
  • Principles of Medical Oncology
• Principles of Biotherapeutics
  • Immunostimulants
  • Active Specific Immunotherapy with Vaccines
  • Interferons
  • Cytokines: Biology and Applications in Cancer Medicine
  • Hematopoietic Growth Factors .
  • Monoclonal Serotherapy
  • Cancer Gene Therapy
• Principles of Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Autologous Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation Transplantation of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cells for the Treatment of Malignancies The student must be familiar with current indications and results of bone marrow transplantation in various diseases.
    • Donor selection HLA typing and MLR in bone marrow transplantation, screening of Donor
    • Conditioning regimens the trainee must be familiar with the different conditioning regimens, principles of their use in different disorders and complications
    • Harvesting and manipulation of the bone marrow Bone marrow collection, red cell or plasma reduction, peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and collection, cryopreservation, Transfusion of marrow. Purging of marrow –T cell depletion.
    • Transplantation immunology Histocompatibility, graft versus host disease – diagnosis and management. Immune reconstitution following transplantation.
    • Management of post transplant patient
• Principles of Psycho-Oncology
• Principles of Oncology Nursing
  • Principles of Oncology Nursing
• Principles of Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Principles of Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine
• Principles of Multidisciplinary Management
  • Principles of Multidisciplinary Management Palliative Care
• Principles of Societal Oncology
  • Ethical Aspects of Caring for Patients with Cancer
  • Legal Aspects of Cancer
  • The Government and Cancer Medicine
  • Clinical Oncology in a Changing Health Care Environment
  • Outcomes Assessment
• Neoplasms of the Central Nervous System
  • Neoplasms of the Central Nervous System
• Neoplasms of the Eye
  • Neoplasms of the Eye
• Neoplasms of the Endocrine Glands
  • Pituitary Neoplasms
  • Neoplasms of the Thyroid
  • Neoplasms of the Adrenal Cortex
  • Neoplasms of the Neuroendocrine System and
  • Neoplasms of the Gastroenteropancreatic
  • Endocrine System
• Neoplasms of the Head And Neck
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Odontogenic Tumors
• Neoplasms of the Thorax
  • Cancer of the Lung
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
  • Thymomas and Thymic Tumors
• Neoplasms of the Female Reproductive Organs
  • Neoplasms of the Vulva and Vagina
  • Neoplasms of the Cervix
  • Endometrial Cancer
  • Neoplasms of the Fallopian Tube
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
  • Gynecologic
• Neoplasms of the Breast
• Neoplasms of the Breast
• Neoplasms of the Skin
  • Neoplasms of the Skin
• Malignant Melanoma
  • Malignant Melanoma
• Neoplasms of the Bone and Soft Tissue
  • Bone Tumors & Sarcomas of Non-osseous Tissues
• Neoplasms of the Hematopoietic System
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome
  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adults
  • Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Adults
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Tumors of the Heart and Great Vessels
  • Primary Germ Cell Tumors of the Thorax
  • Metastatic Tumors in the Thorax
  • Hairy-Cell Leukemia
  • Hodgkin’s Disease
  • Non–Hodgkin’s Lymphomas
  • Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome
  • Plasma Cell Tumors
  • Mast Cell Leukemia and Other Mast Cell Neoplasms
  • Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia
• Neoplasms of the Alimentary Canal
  • Neoplasms of the Esophagus
  • Neoplasms of the Stomach
  • Primary Neoplasms of the Liver
  • Treatment of Liver Metastases
  • The Gallbladder
  • Diagnosis and Management of Biliary Tract Cancer
  • Neoplasms of the Ampulla of Vater
  • Neoplasms of the Exocrine Pancreas
  • Neoplasms of the Small Intestine, Vermiform
  • Appendix,and Peritoneum
  • Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
  • Neoplasms of the Anus
• Neoplasms of the Genitourinary Tract
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma
  • Neoplasms of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Neoplasms of the Prostate
  • Neoplasms of the Penis
  • Neoplasms of the Testis
• Neoplasms in Aids
  • Neoplasms in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Neoplasms of Unknown Primary Site
  • Neoplasms of Unknown Primary Site
• Neoplasms In Children
  • Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology
  • Incidence, Origins, Epidemiology
  • Principles of Pediatric Radiation Oncology
  • Late Effects of Treatment of Cancer in Children and Adolescents
    • Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
    • Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia
    • Hodgkin’s Disease in Children and Adolescents
    • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Children
    • Langerhans’ Cell Histiocytosis
      • Hepatic Tumors
      • Renal Tumors of Childhood
      • Germ Cell Tumors
      • Neuroblastoma
      • Soft Tissue Sarcomas of Childhood
• Complications of Cancer and Its Treatment
  • Management of Cancer Pain
  • Anorexia and Cachexia
  • Antiemetic Therapy
  • Neurologic Complications
  • Dermatologic Complications of
  • Cancer Chemotherapy
  • Skeletal Complications
  • Hematologic Complications and
  • Blood Bank Support
  • Coagulopathic Complications of Cancer
  • Urologic Complications
  • Cardiac Complications
  • Respiratory Complications
  • Liver Function and Hepatotoxicity in Cancer
  • Gastrointestinal Complications
  • Oral Complications
  • Gonadal Complications
  • Endocrine Complications
  • Secondary Cancers: Incidence,
  • Risk Factors, and Management,
• Infections In Patients With Cancer
  • Infections in Patients with Cancer