Oncology 101: The Fundamentals of Cancer
A comprehensive overview of the basic principles of oncology, from the biology of cancer to treatment modalities.
Part 1: Defining the Enemy - The Biology of Cancer
Understanding the fundamental nature of cancer, its classification, and progression
1.1 Core Concepts
Fundamental definitions in oncology
Cancer
A disease of uncontrolled growth
Cancer
What is the fundamental nature of cancer?
Tumor/Neoplasm
A swelling or new, abnormal growth of tissue
Tumor/Neoplasm
What's the difference between benign and malignant tumors?
Oncology
The study of tumors and cancers
Oncology
From Greek: onkos (mass/tumor) + logos (study). Oncologists are the doctors who specialize in cancer treatment.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer from a primary site to distant organs
Metastasis
What percentage of cancer deaths are caused by metastasis?
🧠Memory Aids for 1.1 Core Concepts
Think: Cells Are Not Controlled Enough Right
Neo = New, Plasm = Growth → New Growth
Onkos = lump, ology = study of
Meta = beyond, stasis = standing → Standing Beyond original location
1.2 Classification by Origin
How cancers are categorized based on tissue type
Carcinoma
Cancer from epithelial tissue (linings)
Carcinoma
Which type of cancer is most common?
Sarcoma
Cancer from connective tissue (bone, muscle)
Sarcoma
Rare but aggressive. Includes bone sarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas. "Sarcoma" means "fleshy tumor" in Greek.
Leukemia
Cancer of the blood (bone marrow)
Leukemia
What does "leukemia" literally mean?
Lymphoma
Cancer of the lymph system
Lymphoma
Affects lymph nodes, spleen, thymus. Two main types: Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Part of our immune system.
🧠Memory Aids for 1.2 Classification by Origin
Carcinoma = Carpets line floors, epithelial cells line organs
Sarc = flesh, oma = tumor → Flesh Tumor
Leuk = white, emia = blood → White Blood disease
Lymph = clear fluid, oma = tumor → Lymph system tumor
1.3 The Path to Malignancy
The progression from normal cells to invasive cancer
Normal Cells
Controlled growth, proper function, organized
Hyperplasia
Increased cell number (still normal cells)
Dysplasia
Abnormal cell appearance and organization
Neoplasia
New growth that is autonomous and irreversible
Invasion & Metastasis
Cancer cells break through boundaries and spread
🧠Memory Aids for 1.3 The Path to Malignancy
Normal = Neat, Organized, Regulated Machine Always Listening
Hyper = excessive, plasia = formation → Excessive Formation
Dys = abnormal, plasia = formation → Abnormal Formation
Neo = new, plasia = formation → New Formation (that won't stop)
Like water breaking through a dam and flooding everywhere
The Journey from Normal to Cancer
Normal
Hyperplasia
Dysplasia
Neoplasia
Invasion
🔗 How These Concepts Connect
Understanding cancer requires seeing how these concepts work together. Cancer is fundamentally about cells losing their normal controls. This happens through a progression from normal → hyperplasia → dysplasia → neoplasia → invasion/metastasis.
The type of cancer depends on which tissue is affected: carcinomas (most common) come from linings, sarcomas from connective tissue, leukemias from blood, and lymphomas from the immune system.
✅Quick Review - Can You Remember?
🦠 What makes cancer dangerous?
Its ability to metastasize (spread)
🏢 Most common cancer type?
Carcinoma (~85% of cancers)
🩸 What does "leukemia" mean?
"White blood" disease
⚠️ Is dysplasia reversible?
Often yes, unlike true neoplasia