2.1. Training programme

A total training period of 6 years is a standard requirement. It should start with a common trunk in general surgery for at least 2 years, followed by training in surgical oncology for 2-4 years. During this second period research experience and/or international training for 1 year in a national or international multidisciplinary cancer center is strongly recommended. The programme should correspond to the requirements outlined in this core curriculum and to specific national requirements.

 
2.2. Training institutions

2.2.1. Clinical/hospital facilities
Training institutions must be accredited according to their national regulations. They should provide opportunities to manage patients with a wide variety of neoplastic diseases on an in-patient and out-patient basis. Training institutions must be equipped with modern in-patient, ambulatory and laboratory services to support educational and training programmes. Specifically there must be adequate modern diagnostic imaging services (radiology, nuclear medicine), pathology and cytopathology services, access to other specific oncological services (radiotherapy, medical oncology, pediatric oncology). The programme must include (weekly) attendance at a multidisciplinary cancer conference.
 
2.2.2. Other facilities and resources
A medical library must be available to provide ready access to a sufficient variety of books, journals and resource materials pertinent to surgery, surgical oncology and associated fields in oncology, basic sciences and general medicine. On-site electronic literature retrieval capabilities is strongly recommended.
Training institutions should aim to have guaranteed access to basic (cancer biology) and clinical research and to encourage trainees to engage in research projects under supervision of experienced staff.
 
If these requirements for training institutions can not be met by a single institution, several training institutions should combine and offer an integrated programme that meets these requirements.

 
2.3. Staffing in training institutions

2.3.1. Programme director
Training institutions should appoint a single programme director responsible for trainee education. The programme director must be a highly qualified surgical oncologist who will have a major commitment to the training programme and related activities. The programme director is responsible for the general administration of the programme, its structure and content. For these reasons the programme director should organize regular documented meetings with the teaching staff and trainee representatives to review programme goals, objectives and effectiveness.
 
2.3.2. Faculty
Several surgical oncologists for teaching should be appointed. They must devote substantial time to the teaching programme – teaching, administration, evaluation of performance and progress of the trainees.
 

2.3.3. Practical teaching sessions
At least one teaching session between the teacher and the trainee should be scheduled per week during which cases treated by the trainee should be reviewed  to provide continuous feedback of her/his achievements.
 
2.3.4. Documentation of training experience
Each trainee should keep a logbook to document her/his training experience. ESSO recommends a standardized logbook that covers the core curriculum. The programme director should review the logbook with the trainee at least twice yearly.
 
2.3.5. Audit
Regular external national, as well as international  audit (by other ESSO members) of the training programme is recommended.
 
2.3.6. Update of the core curriculum
The European core curriculum in surgical oncology should be regularly reviewed and updated.