Refresher Course on breast cancer

COURSE LEADERSHIP

Host Chair - Assia Konsoulova, BG
Online Chair - Matteo Lambertini, IT
ESO College Chair - Alexandru Eniu, RO/CH
Scientific Supervision - Riccardo Audisio, SE

The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer. Moreover, specific issues related to particular situations such as breast cancer in pregnant and very young women and fertility preservation and quality of life will also be discussed.

Practical training will be offered in the frame of selected clinical cases, presented by participants and discussed by the panel in a Tumor board session. By integrating case-based learning and evidence-based guidelines, the course will foster a deeper understanding of patient-centered care, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making. Ultimately, the program seeks to empower physicians to optimise outcomes in breast cancer, reduce recurrence rates, and improve patient survival and quality of life.

The course is suitable for all physicians (medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists) involved in the management of breast cancer.

Learning objectives

• Update on the latest advances in diagnostic procedures, including imaging breast cancer (with a focus on response assessment) and updates on pathology of breast cancer (diagnosis and focus on response evaluation after NAT), as well as molecular genetics, personalised medicine and emerging technologies.
  
  
• Update on the latest advances and on the state-of- the-art treatment options in local therapy, including developments in breast cancer surgery   and radiotherapy.  The course will also cover systemic therapy of early breast cancer, including post-neoadjuvant systemic therapy, dose density of systemic therapy in the neo- and adjuvant setting (focus on inflammatory breast cancer), and treatment sequence of systemic therapy in triple negative and luminal metastatic breast cancer. Furthermore, the course will address oligometastatic disease.
  
  
• Learn about the management of specific situations, such as breast cancer in pregnant and very young women, fertility preservation and quality of life, and the identification of operable BC after NAT (role of MRI, skin biopsy, PET/CT, etc.).
  
  
• Debate controversies and challenges in breast cancer treatment, including discussions on response assessment, response evaluation after NAT, the volume of surgery in mutation-related breast cancer and axillary surgery, changes in radiotherapy paradigms, strategies for (de)escalation of post-neoadjuvant systemic therapy, the role of surgery in metastatic disease, and the de-escalation of radiotherapy and surgery after neoadjuvant systemic therapy.
  
  
• Improve practical skills in multidisciplinary management and follow-up of breast cancer patients through tumor board sessions with selected clinical cases.
  
  
• Receive insights on the best approaches in organizing breast cancer care (breast cancer units), with a focus on certification and accreditation.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

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

CME ACCREDITATION

An application will be submitted to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) for CME for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

ESO COLLEGE MEMBERSHIP

Being selected to take part in this course is one of the ESO activities that gives participants eligibility to enroll 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 9 ESO College credits.

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

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 masterclass.

Applicants should meet the following profile:

• Age between 30 and 45 years
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in oncology
• Fluency in English

RESERVATION FEE

The top 30 applicants will receive a place with accommodation with a reservation fee of €160.

A further 30 applicants will be selected if eligible with a reservation fee of €80 without accommodation.

The reservation fee covers:

• Access to the course and its educational resources
• Meals according to the programme

For the top 30 applicants:

Accommodation for 2 nights at the event venue arrival on Friday, 21 November and departure on Sunday, 23 November 2025

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 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.

INSURANCE

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

ORGANISING SECRETARIAT

Elena Fiore

e-mail: efiore@eso.net

Dolores Knupfer

e-mail: dknupfer@eso.net

Riccardo A. Audisio, Institute of Clinical Sciences - Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Dept. of Surgery, Göteborg, SE
Iskra Daskalova, European Medical Center, Breast Center, Moscow, RU
Alexandru Eniu, Genolier Cancer Center, Clinique de Genolier, Medical Oncology Dpt., Genolier, CH
Nicola Fusco, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Division of Pathology, Milan, IT
Valkan Ivanov, Private Hospital "prof.temelkov", Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, Varna, BG
Assia Konsoulova, National Cancer Hospital, Medical Oncology Clinic, Sofia, BG
Ilir Kurtishi, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Oncology Department, Prishtina, XZ
Matteo Lambertini, Policlinico San Martino Hospital – University of Genoa, Medical Oncology Department, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, Genoa, IT
Sofia Levva, Aristotle University of Thessalonik, Medical School, Thessaloniki, GR
Olivia Pagani, Former Director of Breast Unit of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, CH
Gordana Petkovska, University Clinic of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Radiotherapy And Oncology Dept., Skopje, MK
Joana Ribeiro, Institute Gustave Roussy, Breast Unit, Paris, FR
Domen Ribnikar, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Medical Oncology Dpt., Ljubljana, SI
Elzbieta Senkus, Medical University of Gdansk, Dept. of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Gdansk, PL
Simona Volovat, Institute of Regional Oncology Iasi, Oncology Dept., Iasi, RO
Victor Yordanov, City Clinic Oncology Center, Radiology Department, Sofia, BG

Application deadline 22 August 2025

Interested candidates should apply online providing:

• Recommendation letter
• Abstract
• Short CV with a list of publications (if the list of publication is not provided, it will be assumed that no articles have been published)

If you are a past ESO Masterclass participant, you only need to submit the abstract.

ABSTRACT

Applicants are requested to submit an abstract describing a clinical case related to breast cancer.

Only a selected number of admitted participants will have the opportunity to present their clinical case in the format of a clinical grand round discussion with the chairs, other faculty members and participants within the sessions in the programme. The application outcome will be notified by e-mail by mid-September 2025.