Show Notes
Join Eoin Tabb, Chief 2 Clinical Cancer Services Pharmacist, for a crash course on cancer staging. In this episode, we break down the essentials of cancer staging, from the different types of staging and the tests involved to the TNM system and stage groupings. Learn why staging is crucial for personalized treatment plans, prognostic information, and effective collaboration within the cancer care team. This episode is a valuable resource for all healthcare professionals involved in cancer care, regardless of experience level.
Key Points:
What is cancer staging?
Analogy of creating a detailed map to guide treatment decisions.
Key questions staging answers: tumor size, lymph node involvement, metastasis.
Types of Cancer Staging:
Clinical staging: initial assessment before treatment.
Pathological staging: more precise assessment after surgery.
Re-staging: evaluating response to treatment.
Staging Tests:
Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans.
Biopsies: needle biopsies, core needle biopsies, surgical biopsies.
Blood tests: FBC, tumor markers, liver/kidney function tests.
TNM Staging System:
T: Tumor size and invasiveness.
N: Lymph node involvement.
M: Metastasis (spread to distant organs).
Stage grouping (I-IV): overall classification based on TNM scores.
Why Staging Matters:
Guides treatment decisions.
Provides prognostic information.
Facilitates research and comparison of treatment outcomes.
Importance for Healthcare Professionals:
Tailors treatment plans.
Manages side effects.
Educates and counsels patients.
Enhances interdisciplinary collaboration.
Additional Resources:
National Cancer Institute - Cancer Staging
American Cancer Society - How is Cancer Staged?
European Society for Medical Oncology - TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours
CPD IIOP Example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eAdmWOmnnGpWwyVQpqTmWs-0Bp4eTQkJmYyxz5czWIU/edit?usp=sharing
Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/ebaoNCNe9Hg2fAMk6
More from Irish Haematology Oncology Podcast
Eoin Tabb reports from Day 3 of the ISOPP CAPhO 2025 Symposium in Victoria, Canada. This episode delves into crucial discussions on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in pharmacy practice, the benefits and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in oncology, updates on preventing Cancer-Associated Thrombosis (CAT), and the implementation of pre-therapeutic Pharmacogenomics (PGx), including combining DPYD testing with Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) for 5-FU. Plus, hear exciting news from the ISOPP AGM about next year's unique 24-hour virtual conference format and a special collaboration with the Irish Pharmacy Haematology Oncology Society (IPHOS)! #ISOPPCAPhO2025 #OncologyPharmacy #Haematology #ClinicalPharmacy #EDI #AI #PGx #TDM #CAT CAT Survey: https://redcap.alfredhealth.org.au/redcap/surveys/index.php?s=dFo7DpNgVBauTYeW&__startover=1
Join Eoin Tabb for the second daily dispatch from the ISOPP CAPhO 2025 Symposium in Victoria, Canada. Day 2 covered a wide spectrum of crucial topics for haematology/oncology pharmacy practice. Highlights include practical management strategies for PARP inhibitors, the importance of cultural humility and discussing traditional medicines, ISOPP's new global service level framework, pharmacy's role in disaster preparedness and environmental sustainability, efficiencies in myeloma treatment administration (pre-meds, infusion times, schedules), managing CMV infections, considerations for treating older/unfit patients using geriatric assessment, and critical updates on hazardous drug lists and safety. Tune in for key insights and takeaways relevant to Irish practice! #ISOPPCAPhO2025 #OncologyPharmacy #Haematology #ClinicalPharmacy PARPi Clinical Resource: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.cano-acio.ca/resource/resmgr/endorsements/en_parp_inhibitor_clinical_r.pdf
Join host Eoin Tabb for a special dispatch episode recorded live from the ISOPP 2025 Symposium in Victoria, BC. Get your 'audio delegate bag' with key insights from Day 1, covering: