Masterclass in Oncology Basics for Beginners

Chairs: T. Ajithkumar, UK - F.A. Peccatori, IT
Scientific Committee: L. Harihar, UK - H. Buckley, UK - S. Prewett, UK - J. Harrington, UK - G. Horan, UK - B. Greef, UK - G. Doherty, UK


MASTERCLASS AIM
Although some of the principles underlying oncology practice are similar to those in other branches of medicine, subspecialisation 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. This comprehensive course for new oncology trainees in Europe is 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.


LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Understand the basic principles of multidisciplinary cancer management
• Learn about the management of oncological emergencies and common malignancies
• Provide an introduction to cancer clinical trials and research methodology
• Learn how to maintain work-life balance as an oncology trainee and successful career planning


MAIN TOPICS
• Approach to patient management in oncology and decision making
• Acute oncology
• Principles of oOncological surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy
• Systemic therapy-related toxicity, pharmacology and practicalities of prescribing chemotherapy
• Critical appraisal of papers
• Survivorship
• Real-life clinical case discussions in several oncological situations
• Cancer clinical trials
• Research in oncology
• Career planning and opportunities


TEACHING FORMAT
The Masterclass offers plenary lectures regarding state-of-the-art clinical evaluation and treatments with reference to clinical guidelines, which will be concluded in take-home messages.
Participants will deliver case presentations within small groups and discuss these with the chairs and the faculty.
All participants will reside at the course venue and participation is compulsory throughout the course.
The Masterclass will be entirely in English and fluency in English is necessary for admission.


THE MASTERCLASS IS
• A 3 day residential educational event
• Full immersion
• Clinically-oriented
• Multidisciplinary
• Delivered by an international faculty of experts

Held in collaboration with

ORGANISING SECRETARIAT
European School of Oncology
Piazza Indipendenza 2 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
Luis Carvalho   
Ph: +41 91 820 09 58 - Fax: +41 91 820 09 53   
E-mail: lcarvalho@eso.net

Laura Richetti
Ph: +4191 820 09 51 - - Fax: +41 91 820 09 53
E-mail: lrichetti@eso.net

 
CME ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATE
Participants will be entitled to receive a certificate of attendance at the close of the event by completing the on-line evaluation questionnaire.
The event has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The evaluation of the event has been performed by te Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE) that acknowledged the quality of the scientific programme and its educational value. The event is designated for a maximum of 18 European CME credits (ECMEC). Through and agreement between UEMS and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME credits to an equivalent number of AMC PRA Category 1 Credits.


LANGUAGE
The Masterclass will be held in English and translation will not be provided.


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

 

 

 

 

 

FACULTY
T. Ajithkumar, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
R. Audisio, University of Liverpool, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospital, St. Helens (Liverpool), UK
G. Barnett, Cambridge University, Oncology Department, Cambridge, UK
B. Basu, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
Y. Cartwright, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
A. Cecconi, European Institute of Oncology, Department of Radiotherapy, Milan, IT
H. Chantler, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge Biomedical Campus Cambridge, UK
C. Coles, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
P. Corrie, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge UK, Cambridge, UK
L. Cortesi, University Hospital of Modena, Dept. of Oncology and Haematology, Modena, IT
C. Criscitiello, European Institute of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Milan, IT
G. Curigliano, European Institute of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Milan, IT
A. Dixon, University of Cambridge, Peterhouse College, Cambridge, UK
G. Doherty, University of Cambridge, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge, UK
A. Duckworth, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Histopathology, Cambridge, UK
I. Gounaris, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dept. of Oncology, King’s Lynn, UK
B. Greef, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Medicine Cambridge, UK
D. Gregory, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS, Cambridge Cancer Centre, Cambridge UK Cambridge, UK
S. Harden, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge UK, Cambridge, UK
J. Harrington, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
P. Hoskin, Mount Vernon Hospital, Cancer Center, Northwood, UK
L. Hughes-Davis, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge, UK
A. Milani, European Institute of Oncology, Dept. of Oncology, Milan, IT
R. Orecchia, European Institute of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Milan, IT
C. Parkinson, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS, Cambridge Cancer Centre, Cambridge, UK
F.A. Peccatori, European School of Oncology and European Institute of Oncology, Milan, IT
S. Prewett, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge, UK
S. Smith, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge UK, Cambridge, UK
L.T. Tan, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dept. of Oncology, Cambridge UK, Cambridge, UK



 

 

 21 JUNE

8:00		Welcome, introduction to the course and faculty T. Ajithkumar, UK – F.A. Peccatori, IT
8:15		Approach to patient management in oncology and decision making - Diagnosis: Clinical, radiological, cytological, histological - Treatment intent: Neoadjuvant, adjuvant, radical, palliative L.T. Tan, UK
8:50		Discussion
9:00		Staging systems: TNM, AJCC systems, FIGO and Dukes D. Gregory, UK
9:20		Discussion
9:30		Principles of patient assessment - Performance status: ECOG/WHO, Karnofsky - Comorbidity: ACE-27 index P. Corrie, UK
9:50		Discussion
10:00		Coffee break
10:15		Basic radiology: Case-based discussion A. Dixon, UK - Modalities and their indications/limitations: US, CT, MR, PET, isotope scans - Oncological anatomy: Basic structures of chest/abdo/pelvis and head - RECIST criteria A. Dixon, UK
10:50		Discussion
11:00		Basic pathology - Tests: Cytology, histology, IHC, FISH, PCR, sequencing - IHC panel for tumour typing - Key points on a pathology report: Diagnosis, grade, lymphovascular/perineural invasion, margins, involved lymph nodes, extranodal spread   A. Duckworth, UK
11:35		Discussion
11:45		Cancer genetics L. Cortesi, IT
12:05		Discussion
12:15		Principles of oncological surgery - Resection margins (R0, R1, R2), lymph node evaluation (sentinel node biopsy, nodal basin dissection) - General and specific surgical risks/complications R. Audisio, UK
12:50		Discussion
13:00		Lunch
Principles of radiotherapy
13:45		Basic physics: X-rays, electrons, linac, brachytherapy H. Chantler, UK
14:05		Discussion
14:15		Basic radiobiology: 5 Rs, fractionation, a/b ratio, QUANTEC G. Barnett, UK
14:35		Discussion
14:45		Radiotherapy techniques and management of side-effects: - IMRT, VMAT, IGRT, SABR/SBRT, external beam, brachytherapy, radioisotope - Key side-effects: Early, late and management of toxicity, CTCAE grading R. Orecchia, IT
15:20		Discussion
15:30		Coffee break
15:45		Radiotherapy planning process: Position, immobilisation, planning CT, contouring (GTV/CTV/PTV), beam arrrangement, dosimetry, verification S. Prewett, UK
16:05		Discussion
16:15		Group sessions Clinical case presentations by participants T. Ajithkumar, UK - F.A. Peccatori, IT - S. Prewett, UK
18:15		Wrap-up and close Chairs

 

 22 JUNE

8:00		Principles of systemic therapy - Principles of systemic chemotherapy - Principles of endocrine therapy G. Curigliano, IT
8:35		Discussion
8:45		Principles of targeted therapies and immunotherapy - Monoclonal antibodies: Principles and mechanisms of action - Small molecules: Principles and mechanisms of action - Immunotherapy: Principleas and mechanisms of action C. Parkinston, UK
9:05		Discussion
9:15		Identification and management of systemic therapy related toxicity - Side-effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy and management of toxicity - Side-effects of targeted therapies and management of toxicity - Supportive treatments: Anti-emetics, haematological growth factors, bone directed therapy   G. Curigliano, IT
9:50		Discussion
10:00		Coffee
10:15		Pharmacology and practicalities of chemotherapy prescribing  Phramacological principles: PK, PD, metabolism, excretion - Important chemotherapy interactions - Dosing of systemic agents: BSA, weight, AUC (worked examples) - Dose modifications in hepatic or renal impairment (case based/worked examples) - Modes of administration: oral, IV, s/c, intra-techal, intra-peritoneal - Hickmann line, Port-a-cath B. Greef, UK - A. Milani, IT
11:05		Discussion
11:15		Group sessions Clinical case presentations by participants T. Ajithkumar, UK - F.A. Peccatori, IT - S. Prewett, UK
13:15		Lunch
14:00		Survivorship in cancer A. Milani, IT
14:20		Discussion
14:30 - 17:30		Common cancers, aggressive cancers and oncological emergencies - Case-based sessions:
14:30		Case 1: Abnormal CXR in a young female - Approach to suspected cancer (MUO) - New diagnosis of aggressive cancer (e.g. germ cell) - Pregnancy associated cancer - Importance of timely diagnosis and systemic treatment - Treatment complications (tumour lysis, neutropenic sepsis)   C. Criscitiello, IT
14:50		Discussion
15:00		Case 2: Confusion and breathless in advanced lung cancer - SOB in cancer patients: Differentials and management (PE, SVCO-recognition and management) - Confusion: Differentials and management (hypercalcaemia, electrolytes disturbances, brain metastases) - Principles of management of lung cancer S. Harden, UK
15:20		Discussion
15:30		Coffee break
15:45		Case 3: Breast cancer - Outline of management   C. Criscitiello, IT
16:05		Discussion
16:15		Case 4: Worsening back pain in prostate cancer - MSCC: principles of surgery for cord compression - Re-presents multiple vertebral metastases: Principles of RT for cord compression - Pain control (WHO ladder, opiates, adjuncts) - Management of prostate cancer L. Hughes-Davis, UK
16:35		Discussion
16:45		Case 5: Vomiting in ovarian cancer - Malignant bowel obstruction: Principles of surgical and conservative management - Management of advanced ovarian cancer - Palliative and end-of-life care S. Smith, UK - Y. Cartwright, UK
17:20		Discussion
17:30		Wrap-up and close Chairs
19:00		Bus transfer to the Downing College
19:30		Gala Dinner at Downing College

 

 23 JUNE

8:15		Introduction to clinical trials - Phase I-III and describe what each phase involves - Clinical trial design: 3+3, adaptive design, use of biomarkers - Opportunities to get involved: ECCO-AACR-EORTC-ESMO Workshop B. Basu, UK
8:50		Discussion
9:00		Critical appraisal of papers - Types of paper: RCT, systemic review, meta-analysis, case reports - What to look for when reading a paper - Successful publishing in oncology P. Hoskin, UK
9:35		Discussion
9:45		Practical example: Phase III clinical paper (interactive session) - Assessing a paper - Results - Kaplan-Meier curves C. Coles, UK
10:05		Discussion
10:15		Coffee break
10:35		Career planning and opportunities:
		ESMO     I. Gounaris, UK
		ESTRO   A. Cecconi, IT
		- Opportunities for ESMO fellowships / OOPEs / travel grants - Research: options PhD, MD, publications - Exams, both clinical oncology and medical oncology options, ESMO exam
11:15		Discussion
11:25		Round table discussion: How to plan a successful professional career in oncology T. Ajithkumar, UK - A. Cecconi, IT - C. Coles, UK - P. Hoskin, UK - Fedro Peccatori, IT
12:15		Lunch
A. Radiotherapy planning workshop
13:00		Palliative radiotherapy - Spinal cord compression - Whole brain radiotherapy - SVCO S. Prewett, UK
14:30		Radical radiotherapy, case discussion (45' per case) - Lung cancer - Prostate cancer S. Harden, UK
Or
B. Cambridge Biomedical Campus lab visits:
13:00		Travel to Cambridge Biomedical Campus
13:15		Tour of labs    J. Harrington, UK - G. Doherty, Uk - B. Greef, UK
15:45		Wrap-up, course feedback and close Chairs