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PATH30190

Academic Year 2024/2025

Oncology & Immunopathology (PATH30190)

Subject:
Pathology
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Amanda McCann
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The Oncology and Immunopathology Module (PATH30190) reviews the biochemical and molecular processes underlying neoplastic diseases and the pharmacologic agents used to intervene in these processes through lectures, tutorials and online British Medical Journal (BMJ) tutorial submissions.

This module covers the basic pathology of cancer to include tumour classification and terminology, invasion and metastasis and molecular carcinogenesis. The pathology of tumours of the breast, bone and soft tissues, the skin (malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers) and childhood tumours are included, as are chemotherapeutic and biotherapeutic agents, including targeted therapies, monoclonal antibody therapies and an introduction to the care of the patient with cancer, including the management of side effects of chemotherapy.

Immunopathology processes are reviewed with special emphasis being placed on the mechanisms underlying hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmunity, transplantation and rejection. In addition, the clinical presentation, pathology and treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and various systemic vasculitides) are discussed. The pharmacology of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents are also reviewed.

The clinical presentation, behaviour and pharmacological management of these inflammatory, immunologic and neoplastic diseases are introduced together with clinicopathological correlation and elementary planning and evaluation of treatment through lectures and tutorials.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should have:-

1. Improved their biomedical knowledge by being able to:-
(a). Understand the principles of tumour classification and terminology, tumour characteristics and tumour progression (invasion and metastasis).
(b). Outline the causes of cancer including viral, chemical and physical carcinogenesis and hereditary predisposition.
(c). Outline and discuss the biochemical, molecular and genetic basis (oncogenes/tumour suppressor genes) of neoplasia and the points of possible therapeutic intervention
(d). Outline and discuss the pathology of benign and malignant breast lesions, neoplasms of bone, soft tissue, skin and childhood tumours
(e). Outline the underlying principles, modes of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and major side effects of specific chemotherapeutic, biotherapeutic and other anti-neoplastic agents and evaluate their use in treating neoplastic disease
(f). Describe the pathology of common multi-system autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid disease and connective tissue diseases and discuss extracellular pathology and the pathology associated with ageing.
(g). Outline the principles underlying tissue transplantation and the immunologic basis and pathologic features of rejection.
(h). Outline the mode of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, principal side effects and major applications of the immunosuppressive agents.
(i). Outline the mode of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, principal side effects and major applications of the anti-inflammatory agents.

2. Improved their clinical and investigative skills by being able to
(a). Formulate an approach to the differential diagnosis, prognostic evaluation and management of neoplastic disease and outline and discuss the medical issues for the care of the cancer patient.

(b). Formulate an approach to the diagnosis, laboratory investigation and treatment of autoimmune and multisystem diseases and transplant rejection.

3 Improved their professional and personal skills by
(a). Observing and assimilating the professional attitudes of the oncologist, clinical pharmacologist, immunologist and pathologist as they provide clinical illustrations of disease.
(b). Appreciating the integral importance of Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approaches to the delivery of personalised patient care.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

28
Tutorial

3
Seminar (or Webinar)

2
Conversation Class

3
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Online Learning

10
Total

116

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module contains:-

-Lectures
-Tutorials
-Clinical Seminar
-Clinical Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) presentation

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students are required to have a background in human physiology and biochemistry

AND to have a module / combination of modules with equivalent learning outcomes such as PATH30080 Disease Mechanisms and Pharmacological Principles.

Specifically, students are required to have studied modules covering cellular and tissue responses to injury, cell death, inflammation, and human immunology

Learning Exclusions:

PHAR 30100

Learning Recommendations:

Students wishing to register for this module as an Elective must please contact the Module Coordinator.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
PATH30080 - Disease Mechanisms & Pharmacol

Incompatibles:
PHAR30010 - Chemotherapeutic agents

Additional Information:
Students must have taken PATH30080 Disease Mechanisms and Pharmacological Principles in order to register to this module.

Equivalents:
Oncology & Immunopathology (MDSA30190), Oncology and Rheumatology (PATH30260)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) group assignment. This will be subject to academic and peerScholar assessment. Week 10 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (In-person): SAQ component of a 2 hour written examination. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Exam (In-person): MCQ Component of 2 hour written examination. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Submission of 5X Certificates of completion of on-line British Medical Journal (BMJ) tutorials in selected thematic areas. Week 11 Graded No
5
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Towards the end of this module, there will be a formative assessment covering the styles of questions to be expected on the exit examination.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Helen Gallagher Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Melinda Halasz Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jan Iglesias Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Stephen Lalor Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eleanor Wallace Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Luana Schito Tutor
Dr Sami Termanini Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 23 Fri 08:00 - 08:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 26 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Presentation Offering 1 Week(s) - 31 Fri 14:00 - 17:50
Spring Once Off Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Fri 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 31 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25 Mon 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Mon 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24 Thurs 08:00 - 08:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24 Tues 08:00 - 08:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 26 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 23 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Tues 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 31 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 31 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 31 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 31 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 31 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 31 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 32 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 32 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 32 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 32 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 32 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 32 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 31 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 31 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 31 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 31 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 31 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 31 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 31 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 31 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 31 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 31 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 31 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 31 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 31 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 31 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 31 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 31 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 31 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 31 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 25 Week(s) - 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 25 Week(s) - 32 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 26 Week(s) - 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 26 Week(s) - 32 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 27 Week(s) - 32 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 27 Week(s) - 32 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 28 Week(s) - 32 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 28 Week(s) - 32 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 30 Week(s) - 32 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 30 Week(s) - 32 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
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