Practical Information

III. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Content of the training program:
The acquisition of knowledge, experience and skills in the selection, administration and monitoring of the anti-neoplastic therapies for skin cancers, including targeted, immunomodulatory, and cytostatic therapy, the subsequent monitoring and follow-up of patients receiving these therapies, the management of complications and side-effects related to antineoplastic therapies, and the use of best supportive care in advanced cases.

Training duration:

12 months involved in direct patients care in the following conditions:

• Under the supervision of a recognized trainer with competence in medical tumour therapy in Dermatooncology, or expert in the field.
• In an EADO-Certified Training Centre for Dermato-Oncology (see under Training Centres) OR in a Department of Medical Oncology, Haematology-Oncology or equivalent accredited at national level to treat patients with skin cancers with systemic (or medical) therapy
• The period of total 12 months can be completed continuously or in several separated time blocks, in different centres fulfilling the criteria above, within a period of 5 years

Theoretical knowledge to be acquired during training:

• The indications for therapy for advanced, non-operable or metastatic skin cancers, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy
• The indication and role for adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy in melanoma and skin cancer patients
• The complications and toxicity of each type of therapy and their management
• The risk–benefit ratio for treatments
• The use of molecular, Immunohistological, and imaging markers for monitoring the success of therapy/side effects.

All knowledge should be at the optimal level, according to the European guidelines of best practice valid at the date.

Practical skills to be acquired during training:

• Ability to actively contribute to multidisciplinary discussions establishing the diagnosis, stage and treatment plans
• Ability to identify and manage conditions (stage, performance status, comorbidities, prior therapies, family history) that will influence therapeutic and care strategies
• Ability to identify emergent/urgent conditions such as brain metastases, carcinomatous meningitis and bowel obstruction and to develop treatment approaches
• Ability to discuss options for therapy by stage and to discuss with patients and their family the complications of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery as well as the role of investigational agents
• Ability to rapidly identify specific toxicities related to oncologic therapies and to apply appropriate management guidelines
• Ability to use molecular and immunohistochemical biomarkers in orienting therapy strategies
• Ability to address risk and benefits with the patient
• Ability to evaluate treatment outcomes, toxicity and the management of these complications, including decision to change or end therapy
• Ability to manage clinical trials, including a certificate for a GCP training