Chemotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Principles of Cancer Epidemiology

Reviews incidence, prevalence, and risk factors across major cancer types. Contextualises treatment priorities within global and regional cancer burden data.

Lesson 2 • Tumour Microenvironment and Growth

Examines angiogenesis, stromal interactions, and immune evasion within tumours. Explains how the microenvironment influences drug delivery and resistance.

Lesson 3 • Tumour Classification and Staging

Covers histological grading, TNM staging, and performance status scales. Links tumour characteristics to treatment selection and prognosis.

Lesson 1 • Alkylating Agents and Platinum Compounds

Explains DNA cross-linking mechanisms and clinical applications of alkylators. Connects mechanism to myelosuppression and secondary malignancy risks.

Lesson 2 • Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism

Applies absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion principles to chemotherapy agents. Guides dose adjustment decisions based on organ function.

Lesson 3 • Mitotic Inhibitors

Examines vinca alkaloids and taxanes acting on microtubule dynamics. Connects M-phase specificity to neurotoxicity and infusion-related reactions.

Lesson 4 • Antimetabolites

Covers folate antagonists, pyrimidine, and purine analogs and their interference with DNA synthesis. Illustrates phase-specific activity and scheduling implications.

Lesson 1 • Dose Calculation and Body Surface Area

Covers BSA-based and weight-based dosing formulas and their limitations. Addresses capping, rounding, and individualised dosing considerations.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Combination Chemotherapy

Explains synergy, additivity, and antagonism between agents. Guides selection of drugs with non-overlapping toxicities and complementary mechanisms.

Lesson 3 • Treatment Intent and Goals of Care

Differentiates curative, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and palliative chemotherapy intent. Aligns regimen aggressiveness with patient goals and performance status.

Lesson 4 • Standard Protocol Interpretation

Teaches reading and applying published chemotherapy protocols accurately. Connects protocol adherence to reproducible clinical outcomes and patient safety.

Lesson 1 • Spill Management and Waste Disposal

Provides step-by-step spill kit use and decontamination procedures. Covers segregation and disposal of chemotherapy waste per hazardous waste standards.

Lesson 2 • Hazardous Drug Classification and Risk

Defines hazardous drug criteria including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Establishes the occupational exposure risk framework for all subsequent safety practices.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment Selection

Details glove, gown, respirator, and eye protection standards for chemotherapy handling. Connects PPE selection to specific drug properties and preparation tasks.

Lesson 4 • Environmental Monitoring and Exposure Surveillance

Introduces surface wipe sampling, biological monitoring, and incident reporting. Links surveillance data to continuous improvement of workplace safety programmes.

Lesson 1 • Intravenous Infusion Techniques

Details IV push, short infusion, and continuous infusion administration methods. Connects infusion rate and duration to drug stability and toxicity prevention.

Lesson 2 • Extravasation Prevention and Management

Classifies vesicant, irritant, and non-vesicant agents and their tissue injury potential. Provides immediate response steps and antidote use for extravasation events.

Lesson 3 • Non-Intravenous Administration Routes

Covers oral, intrathecal, intraperitoneal, and intravesical chemotherapy administration. Addresses route-specific safety precautions and patient education needs.

Lesson 4 • Vascular Access Device Management

Covers peripheral IV, PICC, port, and central line selection and assessment. Ensures patent, appropriate access before chemotherapy infusion begins.

Lesson 1 • Haematologic Toxicity Management

Covers neutropenia, anaemia, and thrombocytopenia assessment and intervention. Links nadir timing to monitoring schedules and growth factor use.

Lesson 2 • Dose Modification and Treatment Delays

Applies toxicity grade and organ function data to dose reduction and delay decisions. Balances treatment efficacy with patient safety using evidence-based criteria.

Lesson 3 • Organ-Specific Toxicity Monitoring

Monitors cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity. Connects baseline and ongoing organ function testing to dose modification decisions.

Lesson 4 • Toxicity Grading and Reporting Systems

Introduces standardised adverse event grading scales used in clinical and research settings. Establishes consistent language for toxicity communication across the care team.

Lesson 1 • Palliative Care Integration

Defines early palliative care integration alongside active chemotherapy. Addresses advance care planning, symptom burden, and transition to comfort-focused care.

Lesson 2 • Pain Assessment and Analgesic Management

Applies validated pain scales and analgesic ladder principles to cancer pain. Addresses opioid titration, adjuvant analgesics, and breakthrough pain management.

Lesson 3 • Psychosocial Distress Screening and Support

Uses validated distress screening tools to identify anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders. Connects findings to referral pathways and psychosocial intervention resources.

Lesson 4 • Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance Interventions

Identifies causes of cancer-related fatigue and evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions. Addresses sleep hygiene and pharmacological options for refractory fatigue.

Lesson 1 • Survivorship Care Plan Development

Constructs individualised survivorship care plans summarising treatment history and follow-up needs. Coordinates primary care, specialist surveillance, and health promotion activities.

Lesson 2 • Recurrence Detection and Second-Line Planning

Establishes criteria for recurrence detection and triggers for second-line treatment evaluation. Prepares students to discuss re-treatment options and clinical trial eligibility.

Lesson 3 • Biomarker and Laboratory Response Monitoring

Uses tumour markers, circulating tumour DNA, and laboratory trends to supplement imaging. Interprets marker kinetics in the context of clinical response assessment.

Lesson 4 • Late and Long-Term Treatment Effects

Identifies late toxicities including secondary malignancies, cardiac dysfunction, and neuropathy. Establishes surveillance schedules based on treatment history and risk factors.