Arab Board Oncology Part 1 study plan

Draw the hallmarks of cancer and annotate at least two molecular mechanisms driving each one

Classify proto-oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and DNA repair genes, giving two clinical tumour examples of each class

Explain cell-cycle checkpoints and map the molecular action of CDK4/6 inhibitors, antimetabolites and spindle poisons onto them

Distinguish driver from passenger mutations and describe the multi-step model of carcinogenesis using colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence

Apply the two-hit hypothesis to retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Lynch syndrome pedigrees and state the inheritance pattern and screening implication of each

Interpret a molecular report listing EGFR mutation, ALK rearrangement, MSI-high status and HER2 amplification, stating the predictive and therapeutic meaning of each finding

Differentiate germline from somatic testing and describe the indications and limitations of ctDNA liquid biopsy

Compare IHC, FISH, PCR and next-generation sequencing in terms of what each detects and when each is preferred

Match ten serum and tissue tumour markers to their tumour type, typical use and principal false-positive causes

Explain log-kill kinetics and the Gompertzian growth model and use them to justify schedule-dependent versus dose-dense chemotherapy

Compare AUC, clearance, half-life, volume of distribution and bioavailability, and predict drug-interaction risk from CYP450 and transporter effects

Classify cytotoxic agents by mechanism of action and state the dose-limiting toxicity and principal organ of elimination for each

Apply dose-modification rules for hepatic and renal impairment and construct a guideline-based antiemetic prophylaxis plan for highly emetogenic regimens

Explain the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells and bispecific T-cell engagers

Describe antigen processing and MHC presentation and trace the steps of the cancer-immunity cycle

Grade immune-related adverse events by CTCAE and outline first-line and steroid-refractory management

Outline the pharmacology of TKIs, monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates and explain three mechanisms of acquired resistance to each class

Explain the 4 Rs of radiobiology and interpret D0, Dq, alpha/beta and the shoulder of the cell survival curve

Calculate biologically effective dose and equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions, and apply published tolerance doses to organs at risk

Contrast photon and proton depth-dose physics and justify conventional fractionation, hypofractionation and SBRT

Apply RECIST 1.1 and iRECIST criteria to written case scenarios and determine complete, partial, stable or progressive response

Compare CT, MRI, PET-CT and ultrasound for staging and response assessment and explain the principles of TNM staging

Identify selection, information, lead-time and publication bias and confounding in published abstracts and state the direction of each distortion

Interpret sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, likelihood ratios and ROC curves in a screening context

Compute and interpret hazard ratios, confidence intervals, p-values, absolute risk reduction and number needed to treat

Explain phase I to III trial design, randomisation, blinding, intention-to-treat and non-inferiority analysis

Describe incidence, prevalence, age-standardised rates and five-year survival and explain how each is derived and misused

Evaluate breast, colorectal and cervical screening programmes against the Wilson and Jungner criteria, including overdiagnosis and lead-time bias

Outline immediate recognition and first-line management of febrile neutropenia, tumour lysis syndrome, malignant spinal cord compression, superior vena cava obstruction and hypercalcaemia of malignancy

Apply a structured pain assessment and opioid titration plan, including breakthrough dosing, opioid rotation and management of opioid toxicity

Describe the core symptom-control approach to dyspnoea, nausea, delirium and terminal phase care

Apply the four principles of biomedical ethics to written consent, truth-telling, confidentiality and resource-allocation vignettes

Sit two 100-question timed mock examinations under exam conditions and log every incorrect or guessed item by domain

Re-teach the three weakest domains from your error log and rewrite each missed concept in your own words

Rehearse rapid recall of key formulas (BED, EQD2, PPV, NNT, likelihood ratio) and of dose-limiting toxicities under time pressure

Condense each of the ten domains into a ten-line final revision sheet