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Unit of study_
GMED5004: Cancer Genomics
2025 unit information
Advances in genomics are impacting on many aspects of the diagnosis and management of cancer. This unit provides understanding of molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, with particular reference to familial cancer conditions. It provides contemporary knowledge of familial cancer syndromes including their characteristic patterns of presentation, epidemiology, underlying causative genetic pathology and preventative management approaches. Case - based approaches will be used for the development of in-depth knowledge of familial breast, ovarian, bowel and endocrine malignancies. Other familial cancer syndromes explored will include the neurofibromatoses, and conditions such as Li-Fraumeni and Von Hippel Lindau syndromes. Review of other genetic conditions in which cancer risk is increased will be undertaken. Ethical issues in cancer genomics will be considered as well as advances in precision medicine applicable to familial cancer.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Genomic Medicine |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Investigate the molecular mechanisms of cancer, integrating cancer diagnostics, oncogenesis, and cancer management
- LO2. Distinguish the key differences between germline and somatic cancer genetics, and the implications of this for genomic testing and management
- LO3. Evaluate the role of genomics in cancer diagnostics and management, and how to order, interpret and explain cancer genomic testing in the clinical setting
- LO4. Assess the complex counselling, ethical and legal aspects of cancer genomics, including the role of genetic counsellors, and the perspectives of patients and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- LO5. Categorise the key familial cancer syndromes and genes in a wide variety of clinical settings including breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, renal, haematological, endocrine, neurofibromatosis, and retinoblastoma
- LO6. Assess how genomics is paving the way to precision medicine approaches in cancer and somatic testing, with genotype-specific therapies
Unit availability
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