Oncology:
Oncology is a high-yield subject for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3, with questions focusing on cancer pathophysiology, tumor markers, treatment modalities, and clinical presentations.
Mastering oncology concepts will help you excel in the exam and strengthen your clinical decision-making skills
1️⃣ Hallmarks of Cancer
🔬 Uncontrolled cell proliferation
🔬 Evasion of apoptosis
🔬 Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
🔬 Tissue invasion & metastasis
🔬 Genomic instability & mutations
📌 High-Yield USMLE Tip: Many questions test molecular mechanisms (e.g., p53 tumor suppressor, RAS proto-oncogene) and how they drive cancer progression.
2️⃣ Commonly Tested Tumor Markers
📌 USMLE Tip: A question may describe a patient with liver cirrhosis who develops a mass with elevated AFP → Think HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)!
3️⃣ Most Common Cancers in Adults
👨 Men: Prostate > Lung > Colorectal
👩 Women: Breast > Lung > Colorectal
🩸 Most Common Cause of Cancer Deaths: Lung Cancer in both men & women!
📌 USMLE Tip: Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. due to its late-stage diagnosis and high metastatic potential.
4️⃣ Cancer Staging & Grading
Staging (TNM System) – Tumor size, Nodal involvement, Metastasis
Grading – Differentiation of cancer cells (low grade = well-differentiated, high grade = aggressive)
📌 USMLE Tip: Metastasis (M1) = Automatically Stage IV Cancer!
5️⃣ Oncologic Emergencies You Must Know
🔥 Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVC Syndrome) – Facial & arm swelling, dilated neck veins (seen in lung cancer)
🔥 Tumor Lysis Syndrome – Hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia (seen after chemotherapy)
🔥 Spinal Cord Compression – Back pain, weakness, incontinence (seen in metastatic cancers)
🔥 Hypercalcemia of Malignancy – Stones, bones, groans, and psychiatric overtones (seen in lung & breast cancer)
📌 USMLE Tip: A smoker with facial swelling & dilated neck veins → Think SVC Syndrome due to lung cancer!
6️⃣ Treatment Modalities for Cancer
✅ Surgery – First-line for solid tumors
✅ Radiation Therapy – Used for localized cancers & palliation
✅ Chemotherapy – Targets rapidly dividing cells (common side effects: myelosuppression, nausea, mucositis)
✅ Targeted Therapy – Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Trastuzumab for HER2+ breast cancer)
✅ Immunotherapy – PD-1 inhibitors (Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab) for advanced cancers
📌 USMLE Tip: Know key chemotherapy side effects:
Cisplatin → Nephrotoxicity & Ototoxicity
Doxorubicin → Cardiotoxicity
Vincristine → Neurotoxicity
7️⃣ How IMG Rotations Can Help You with USMLE Oncology
At IMG Rotations, we provide:
✔ Hands-on U.S. Clinical Experience (USCE) in Oncology & Internal Medicine 🏥
✔ Exposure to cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and oncologic emergencies