I. DEFINITION, SCOPE

The advanced continuing medical education training in "Medical Tumour Therapy in Dermato-Oncology" is intended as an addition to the specialist dermatologist's competence, and covers the administration and monitoring of medical therapy of patients with malignant skin tumours, including supportive measures and management of complications and side-effects from therapy. The professional competence in systemic therapy for skin cancers obtained after completing the required training period will be certified by the European Certificate for Medical Tumour Therapy in Dermato-Oncology awarded by EADO in collaboration with UEMS. The fellowship is offered to European colleagues, and Europe is defined based on the WHO region definition.

The next examination takes place on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the end of the annual European School of Dermato-Oncology (ESDO) course taking place in Berlin in January each year. Application deadline: December 1, 2023

II. PREREQUISITES FOR CANDIDATES TO CERTIFICATION:

  • Certification of specialist in dermatology by the relevant national authority (Board Certification) OR status of resident in dermatology in the final year of training
  • Completion of the training in systemic dermato-oncologic therapy
  • Attendance of at least one ESDO course
  • Examination by the EADO Board for Certification in Dermato-oncology

Committee for Certification in Medical Tumour Therapy in Dermato-Oncology:
Petr Arenberger (Czech Republic)
Ana-Maria Forsea (Romania)
Lidija Kandolf (Serbia)
Josep Malvehy (Spain)

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

IV. EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Examinations for obtaining the European Certificate for Medical Tumour Therapy in Dermato-Oncology will take place at the end of the annual European School of Dermato-Oncology (ESDO) course in January each year. The examination will test the knowledge and skills described above. It will consist of a written examination in the form of Multiple Choice Questions. The examination fee is 200€.

Candidates can apply by sending the following documents to info@eado.org:

  • Application form, filled out and signed (download form here)
  • Copy of the Board Certificate in Dermatology OR Confirmation of the status of final year resident in dermatology, signed and stamped by the Residency Program Director
  • Logbook of training activities* performed, signed and stamped by the supervisors of each training institution (download form here)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Copy of the diploma of attendance of an ESDO course, or the proof of registration for the upcoming ESDO course during which the Examination will take place

*Should include detailed information about training periods and fields of activity. Scientific projects and special training courses in the field of dermato-oncology should be described.

Applications will be accepted until December 1st each year, for the Examination in January of the following year.

The completed files will be verified for conformity by the EADO Certification Committee. The applicants will be notified regarding their eligibility for the Examination by December 15th. Eligible applicants will be invited to take the examination after settling the examination fee of 200€.

V. TRAINING CENTRES

The list of currently EADO accredited Training Centres for Dermato-Oncology can be downloaded here.

General criteria

The training centre should meet the following criteria (within the centre site OR available through network cooperations):

  • Modern inpatient, ambulatory care and laboratory facilities necessary for the overall educational program for the different skin cancers
  • Adequate pathology services,
  • Modern diagnostic radiology services,
  • Resources for nuclear medicine imaging,
  • Blood banking, blood therapy facilities, facilities for clinical pharmacology and tumour immunology/biology.
  • A general surgical service and its support available, access to radiation therapy.
  • A set-up for regular multidisciplinary tumour conferences
  • Set up for clinical trials on Good Clinical Practice base
  • A training supervisor with expertise in the field of tumour therapy in Dermato-Oncology