Basic principles in oncology course

Chairs: F. Cardoso, PT - A. Eniu, RO/CH

ESO is proposing a comprehensive course for oncology trainees in Europe intended to bridge the gap in education between courses for students and ESO’s well-known Masterclasses. The course aims to provide orientation to the guiding principles of multidisciplinary oncological management and life as a modern oncologist.

Although some of the principles underlying oncology practice are similar to those in other branches of medicine, sub-specialisation has reduced the exposure of medical students and junior residents to oncological concepts and practice. New oncology trainees face a number of specific challenges. These include navigation of an extensive curriculum with no clear starting point, a rapidly evolving clinical landscape, and increasing clinical demands. During training, residents must also strategically plan their careers, manage any academic focus, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Learning Outcomes

• Update on basic principles in etiology and epidemiology
• Update on basic cancer genetics, staging and imaging
• Update on basic surgical oncology and pathology
• Update on basic radiology and chemotherapy
• Intro to paediatric oncology
• Intro to tumour board and patient issues: communication, supportive and palliative care
• Intro to clinical trials and paper appraisal

Endorsed by the University of Luxembourg

The course is divided into 2 parts:

• Part 1: participants will be asked to view pre-recorded lectures which will be made available on the e-Eso website.
• Part 2: 2.5 day in-person event
  Location: Luxembourg, LU
  Dates: 19-21 September 2025

The online learning sessions must be completed by participants before the in-person event.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

The official language will be English. No translation will be available.

Fee

If selected, a registration fee of 150 EUR will be requested in order to confirm your participation in this event.

The registration fee covers:

• Access to the course and its educational resources
• Accommodation for 3 nights
• Meals according to the programme

The fee does not cover travel costs, these should be organized and paid by the participant.

Participants who are ESO College members at the time of application will receive a 50% discount.

The registration fee for this event is a small contribution towards the cost for organising it, therefore it will not be refunded if a participant withdraws or is unable to attend, for whatever reason.

Accreditation

Participants will be issued a certificate of attendance (minimum attendance: 75% of the entire course). An online evaluation questionnaire and learning assessment test will need to be completed in order to get the certificate that will be issued by email.

Application for CME recognition will be submitted to the Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE). 

ESO College Membership

Being selected to take part in this course is one of the ESO activities that gives participants eligibility to enrol in ESO’s College. The course also enables members of the College to earn credits and therefore access more membership benefits. Full and active participation in the course earns participants 18 ESO College credits.

Visit www.ESCO.org for more information on how to join the College.

Organising secretariat

Corinne Hall

European School of Oncology
ph + 39 331 6125784
Email: chall@eso.net

Dolores Knupfer

European School of Oncology
ph +41 91 820 09 50
e-mail: dknupfer@eso.net

Language

The course will be held in English and translation will not be provided.

Insurance

The organisers bear no responsibility for untoward events in relation to the participation in the event. Participants will be advised to take out their own personal and travel insurance coverage.

DEADLINE: 30th May 2025

Participation

Attendance is limited to 60 participants and admittance is by competitive application only. Priority will be given to applicants who have attended an ESO-ESMO course for medical students or the ESO-ESSO-ESTRO course for medical students.

Participant’s profile

Early-career oncologists, particularly medical and radiation oncologists in their first years of oncology training (first three years after starting oncology specialisation).

How to apply

Interested oncologists should apply online (at the top of this page).

The application process involves completing an online questionnaire, where you will provide details about:

• Your work experience and training
• Your research experience and publications
• Your motivation and personal commitment to participating in this activity

During the application, you will also need to upload the following documents in PDF format:

• Recommendation letter: A letter from your head of department or mentor, written on official hospital letterhead and signed.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated through a two-step process:

1. Automated Scoring: Some responses are assessed using a predefined scoring system to ensure fairness and consistency. Points are assigned based on your answers.
2. Committee Evaluation: Other sections, including your qualitative responses, are reviewed and scored by our selection committee.

This type of evaluation ensures a transparent and unbiased selection of top candidates for participation in this activity.

Before you start completing the online application form, please be sure you have all the requested files (CV and Recommendation letter) ready to be uploaded to the system. Online applications will not be considered unless all the files are uploaded.

Matti Aapro, Clinique de Genolier, Genolier Cancer Center, Genolier, CH
Riccardo A. Audisio, Institute of Clinical Sciences - Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Dept. of Surgery, Göteborg, SE
Stefan Bielack, Klinikum Stuttgart - Olgahospital, Dept. of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology Dpt., Stuttgart, DE
Freddie Bray, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Cancer Surveillance Branch, FR
Silvia Brotea-Mosoiu, Oncology Institute of Bucharest, Medical Oncology Dept., Bucharest, RO
Fatima Cardoso, ABC Global Alliance, -, Lisbon, PT
Franco Cavalli, Foundation for the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Presidenza, Bellinzona, CH
Anastasia Constantinidou, Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre and Medical School University of Cyprus, Dept. of Oncology, Nicosia, CY
Tanja Cufer, University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Ljubljana, SI
Urania Dafni, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Public Health Dpt., Goudi-Athens, GR
Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei, Leiden University Medical Center, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Department, Leiden, NL
Alexandru Eniu, Genolier Cancer Center, Clinique de Genolier, Medical Oncology Dpt., Genolier, CH
Pierfrancesco Franco, University of Eastern Piedmont, Dept. of Translational Medicine, Novara, IT
Joseph Gligorov, Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie AP-HP Sorbonne Uiversité, Oncologie Médicale site hôpital Tenon, Paris, FR
Nikolai Goncharenko, National Cancer Institute, -, Strassen, LU
Mary Gospodarowicz, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - University of Toronto, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Toronto, CA
Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, European Institute of Oncology, Dept. of Radiotherapy, Milano, IT
Assia Konsoulova, National Cancer Hospital, Medical Oncology Clinic, Sofia, BG
Fatjona Kraja, Mother Teresa University Hospital, Oncology Dept., Tirana, AL
Danny Kupka, Freiburger Spital, HFR Kantonsspital Freiburg, Dept. of Oncology, Freiburg, CH
Erika Matos, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Dept. of Medical Oncology, Ljubljana, SI
Patrick Neven, University Hospitals Leuven, Gynaecologic Oncology, Leuven, BE
Stefan Rauh, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch Differdange et Esch, Medical Oncology/ Hematology Department, Esch-sur-Alzette, LU
Domen Ribnikar, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Medical Oncology Dpt., Ljubljana, SI
Uta Schmidt-Strassburger, Ulm University, Learning and Teaching, Medical Faculty, Ulm, DE
Dirk Schrijvers, Ziekenhuisnetwerk Antwerpen-Middelheim, Dept. of Medical Oncology, Antwerp, BE
Petra Steyerova, General University Hospital Prague, Clinic of Radiology, Breast Cancer screening and diagnostic center, Prague 2, CZ
Ian Tannock, Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Toronto, CA
Luzia Travado, Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Clinical and Research Center, Lisbon, PT