DrNB Medical Oncology or Doctorate of National Board in Medical Oncology also known as DrNB in Medical Oncology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on the study, treatment and diagnosis of cancer. It also deals with the complete and comprehensive management of different types of cancers.
The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited institutes/hospitals across the country. Some of the top accredited institutes/hospitals offering this course include Action Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, Apollo Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and more.
Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.
The fee for pursuing DrNB (Medical Oncology) varies from accredited institutes/hospital to hospital and may range from Rs. 1,05,000 to Rs.1,25,000 per annum.
After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programs recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs.5,00,000 to Rs.40,00,000 per annum.
DNB is equivalent to MD/MS/DM/MCH degrees awarded respectively in medical and surgical super specialties. The list of recognized qualifications awarded by the Board in various broad and super specialties as approved by the Government of India are included in the first schedule of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
The Diplomate of National Board in broad-specialty qualifications and super specialty qualifications when granted in a medical institution with the attached hospital or a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-specialty qualification granted under the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be equivalent for teaching also.
What is DrNB in Medical Oncology?
Doctorate of National Board in Medical Oncology, also known as DrNB (Medical Oncology) or DrNB in (Medical Oncology) is a three-year super specialty program that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.
Medical Oncology is the branch of medical science dealing with the study, treatment and diagnosis of cancer. It also deals with the complete and comprehensive management of different types of cancers.
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released a curriculum for DrNB in Medical Oncology.
The curriculum governs the education and training of DrNB in Medical Oncology.
The postgraduate students must gain ample knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, and treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.
PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.
The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Medical Oncology would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their specialty.
The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops, and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.
Course Highlights
Here are some of the course highlights of DrNB in Medical Oncology
| Name of Course | DrNB in Medical Oncology |
| Level | Doctorate |
| Duration of Course | Three years |
| Course Mode | Full Time |
| Minimum Academic Requirement | Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree in MD/DNB (General Medicine) or MD/DNB (Paediatrics) or MD/DNB (Radiation Oncology) obtained from any college/university recognized by the MCI (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website |
| Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities | Entrance Exam (NEET-SS) INI CET for various AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru Counseling by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities |
| Course Fees | Rs. 1,05,000 to Rs.1,25,000 per annum |
| Average Salary | Rs.5,00,000 to Rs.40,00,000 per annum |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for DrNB in Medical Oncology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet to be eligible for admission, which includes:
Section 1: Hallmarks of Cancer
1. The hallmarks of cancer
2. Growth factors and uncontrolled proliferation
3. Cell signaling pathways
4. Cell cycle control
5. Cancer cell death
6. Angiogenesis
7. Invasion and metastases
8. Genetic instability
9. DNA repair after oncological therapy
10. Biology of cancer stem cells
11. Biomarker identification and clinical validation
12. Cancer, immunity, and inflammation
13. Cancer and metabolism
Essentials of Molecular Biology
• Basic Principles. Genomics and Cancer, signal transduction, Immunology, Cytogenetics, Cell Cycle, Apoptosis, invasion and metastases, angiogenesis and carcinogenesis, - Genetics, viral physical, and Chemical.
• Principles of cancer management Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Biologic therapy.
• Cancer Chemotherapy
• Pharmacology of Cancer Biotherapeutics – interferons, interleukins, anti-hormonal therapy, differentiating agents, monoclonal antibodies, antiangiogenic factors.
• Clinical Trials
• Cancer Prevention - tobacco-related cancers, diet chemoprevention.
• Cancer Screening
• Cancer Diagnosis - Molecular pathology and Cytology, Imaging, Endoscopy, Laparoscopy
• Principles of Cancer Management – Surgical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Biologic therapy
• Pharmacology of Cancer Chemotherapy
• Clinical trials in cancer
• Cancer prevention Tobacco-related cancer, Diet & Risk reduction Chemopreventive Agents, Hormones 9. Cancer Screening
• Imaging Techniques for Cancer Diagnosis & Management
• Specialized techniques for Cancer Diagnosis and Management
• Vascular Access and Specialised Techniques of drug delivery
Section 2: Etiology and Epidemiology of Cancer
• Epidemiologic methods, descriptive and analytical epidemiology
• Smoking and cancer
• Viruses • Chemical carcinogens
• Radiation
• Body fatness, physical activity, diet, and other lifestyle factors
Section 3: Principles of Oncology
• Practice points for surgical oncology
• Practice points for radiation oncology
• Principles of chemotherapy
• Delivery of multidisciplinary cancer care
• Principles of clinical pharmacology: Introduction to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Design and analysis of clinical trials
• Medical ethics in oncology
• Health economic assessment of cancer therapy
Section 4: Population Health
• Cancer control: The role of national plans
• Cancer prevention: Vaccination
• Cancer prevention: Chemoprevention
• Population cancer screening
• Familial cancer syndromes and genetic counseling
Section 5: Support for the cancer patient
• Supportive palliative care, hospice care, home care, bereavement counseling
• Pain management
• End-of-life care
• Quality of life: metrics and measures
• Cancer survivorship and rehabilitation
Biologic Therapy
Trainees should be familiar with the activities and indications for biological therapy including cytokines and hematopoietic growth factors. basic concepts of targeted molecular therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, tumor vaccines, cellular therapy, and gene-directed therapy.
Disease
Cancer of the head and neck. the risk factors for head and neck cancers
• Natural histories of the individual primary tumor sites.
• Staging of head and neck cancers as the proper evaluation for therapeutic recommendations. Panendoscopy is needed for staging.
• Select surgery and/or radiation therapy as definitive treatment.
• Role of chemotherapy and palliation of advanced disease • Organ preservation long-term management of these patients and risks of second malignancies. • Oesophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Rectal cancer • Colon cancer
• Pancreatic cancer • Hepatobiliary cancer
• Peritoneal mesothelioma
• Cancer of the breast
• Gynaecological cancers
• Genitourinary cancer
• Lung cancer / Mesothelioma
Risk factors for developing lung cancer or mesothelioma.
1. 1 Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Multi-modality approach to limited-stage disease and the role of chemotherapy in patients with advanced disease.
2. Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Criteria of inoperability and the surgical and nonsurgical staging of patients with localized disease. The value of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy in localized disease is often given as combined modality treatment and the role of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in the palliation of advanced disease.
• Neoplasms of the thymus
• Pleural mesothelioma
• Skin cancer: melanoma
• Skin cancer: non-melanoma
• Acute leukemia
• Chronic leukemias
• Myeloma
• Lymphomas
• Sarcomas of the soft tissue
• Cancer of the central nervous system
• Cancer of the eye and orbit
• Endocrine cancers
• Cancer of unknown primary site
• Para-neoplastic syndromes
• Cancer in the immunosuppressed host
• Oncologic emergencies – SVC syndrome, spinal cord compression, metabolic emergencies, urologic emergencies
• Treatment of metastatic cancer - brain, lung, bone, liver, malignant effusions, and ascites
• Haematopoetic therapy - transfusion, grown factors, autologous, allogenic, haplo identical and matched unrelated stem cell transplantation • Infections in the cancer patient
• Supportive care and quality of life - pain management, nutritional support, sexual problems, genetic counseling,
• Psychological issues
• Community resources
• Care of the terminally ill patient
• Adverse effects of treatment - nausea, and vomiting.
• Oral complications, pulmonary toxicity, cardiac toxicity, hair loss, genital dysfunction, second cancers, and miscellaneous toxicity.
• Rehabilitation of the cancer patient.
• Oncology nursing including venous access.
• Ethical issues in oncology
• Information systems in Oncology.
• Alternative methods of cancer treatment.
• Newer approaches in cancer treatment – Immunotherapy, Gene therapy, molecular therapy, cancer vaccines, image-guided surgery, and heavy particles in radiation therapy.
• Reconstructive surgery
• Cancer Prevention
• Tobacco-related cancer,
• Diet & Risk reduction Chemopreventive Agents
• Hormones -
-Cancer Screening
- Imaging Techniques of Cancer Diagnosis & Management
- Specialized techniques of Cancer Diagnosis and Management
- Vascular Access and Specialised Technique of drug delivery
• Cancers of Childhood
Rehabilitation
• The role of physical therapy particularly in the postoperative setting, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and swallowing therapy
Supportive and Palliative measurements.
• The indications of the different supportive treatments, their limitations, side effects, and their indications.
1. Supportive measurements -- Nausea and vomiting:
• Pain: They should have a working knowledge of the World Health Organization (WHO) pain ladder and an understanding of the pharmacology and toxicity of opiate narcotics and other analgesics
• Infections and neutropenia: They should know the indications and contraindications of the use of hematological growth factors.
2. Anaemia:
• Thrombocytopenia: Marrow and Peripheral-Blood Progenitor Cells (PBPC)
3. Organ protection
• Gonad preservation to ensure the fertility of the patient (cryopreservation techniques)
4. Oncologic Emergencies:
• Trainees should recognize the clinical presentations that require immediate intervention (e.g. spinal cord compression, pericardial tamponade
5. Nutritional Support: Indications for and complications of enteral and parenteral support
• They should be able to manage cancer pain with the available modalities and recognize when referral for an invasive palliative intervention
Recent Advances in Oncology
1. Essentials of Molecular Biology
2. Molecular Biology of Cancer: Oncogenes Cytogenetics
3. Bone Marrow dysfunction in cancer patient
4. Infections in Cancer Patients and neutropenic patients
5. Adverse effects of treatment
6. Supportive Care and Quality of Life
7. Rehabilitation of Cancer Patient
8. Newer approaches in cancer treatment
9. Newer drugs in cancer treatment
Research Methodology and DataBase
1. Clinical Trial Protocol designing.
2. Statistical evaluation & Kaplan-Meyer plot, etc.
3. Bioethics.
Biostatistics, Research Methodology, and Clinical Epidemiology Ethics
Medico-legal aspects relevant to the discipline Health Policy issues as may apply to the discipline.
Career Options
After completing a DrNB in Medical Oncology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government and the Private sector.
In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.
While in the Private sector, the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Medical Oncology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Medical Oncology), etc.
Courses After DrNB in Medical Oncology Course
DrNB in Medical Oncology is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing a specialization in DrNB in Medical Oncology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programs recognized by NMC and NBE, where DrNB in Medical Oncology is a feeder qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – DrNB in Medical Oncology Course
Question: What is the complete form of DrNB?
Answer: The full form of DrNB is a Doctorate of National Board.
Question: What is a DrNB in Medical Oncology?
Answer: DrNB Medical Oncology or Doctorate of National Board in Medical Oncology also known as DrNB in Medical Oncology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.
Question: What is the duration of a DrNB in Medical Oncology?
Answer: DrNB in Medical Oncology is a super specialty program of three years.
Question: What is the eligibility of a DrNB in Medical Oncology?
Answer: Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree in MD/DNB (General Medicine) or MD/DNB (Paediatrics) or MD/DNB (Radiation Oncology) degree obtained from any college/university recognized by the MCI (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.
Question: What is the scope of a DrNB in Medical Oncology?
Answer: DrNB in Medical Oncology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.
Question: What is the average salary for a DrNB in Medical Oncology candidate?
Answer: The DrNB in Medical Oncology candidate's average salary is from Rs.5,00,000 to Rs.40,00,000 per annum depending on the experience.
Question: Can you teach after completing DrNB Course?
Answer: Yes, the candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing the NBE course.
Question: What is the difference between DrNB and DNB?
Answer: As of today, DrNB is a super-specialist qualification imparted by the NBE (SS level). Whereas DNB is a specialist qualification (PG level). Earlier DrNB used to be called DNB SS but now it is called DrNB.
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