It is well recognised that a majority of patients cured from cancer are cured by surgery. However, surgical oncology is not recognised as a subspeciality in all European countries. One of the Society's missions is to have this field established as an important speciality in oncology.Promoting education in cancer surgery is thus one of the main objectives of ESSO.

 Hence, the Education Committee of ESSO offers fellowships to support trainees in surgical oncology. The aim of these fellowships is to allow young surgeons to work in another specialist centre to either expand their experience or learn new techniques.

ESSO Education and Training Committee has also developed a Core Curriculum in surgical oncology with recommendations for both the trainees and the cancer centres.

Further to the Core Curriculum and the training fellowships, ESSO has developed a surgical oncology examination, in conjunction with the Surgical Board of UEMS. This examination is open to suitably qualified European candidates, and will provide validation of a surgeon’s continued professional development in the field of surgical oncology as well as indicating his/her competency to practise in this area. 

ESSO is pleased to support every year the participation of young surgeons in the prestigious Flims workshop on methods in clinical cancer research organised jointly by ECCO (formaly FECS), AACR and ASCO.

ESSO endeavours to foster a multi-disciplinary collaboration in the management of cancer patients and hence actively contribute to multidisciplinary educational projects and courses on specific tumours in partnership with other cancer organisations.

Last but not least, ESSO organises a biennial Congress featuring a strong educational programme and is a founding partner of ECCO – the European Cancer Conference.