Towards a high standard of surgical oncology throughout Europe

To retain their role in co-ordinating the multidisciplinary management of cancer, surgeons must adapt to new developments in oncology. In addition to technical skill in operative surgery, all surgeons treating cancer patients must add new information in tumour biology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to their range of knowledge. Such a broad approach is needed nowadays in order to give a valid clinical opinion and is indispensable in the planning of operative strategies. Although considerable differences in cancer treatment exist within Europe, centres of excellence can be defined. The European Society of Surgical Oncology is planning, with the co-operation of national surgical oncology groups, to devise Guidelines for Good Practice in Surgical Oncology which will be acceptable throughout Europe. Identification of centres for training, registration and accreditation of trainees and a system of continuing education for established surgical oncologists will be proposed. The aims of these proposals are (i) to promote excellence in treatment, (ii) to facilitate an exchange of information, (iii) to encourage participation in clinical trials, (iv) to improve education of medical and para-medical personnel about oncology and (v) to point the way to research opportunities. In medical practice abundant evidence exists that (a) a high standard of clinical care promotes educational activity, (b) good education stimulates research and (c) research in turn activates improvements in service and care. Because of its complexity and the need to involve many disciplines in its management, the treatment of patients with cancer requires a high standard of professional training and competence. Moreover, because of rapid developments in cancer research and treatment, mechanisms for continuing medical education for oncologists are essential.