Individual Courses and Comprehensive Study Program

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in small animal practice and a leading cause of death in dogs and cats. At the same time, oncology is often perceived as complex, fragmented, and difficult to apply in everyday clinical settings.

The ESAVS Oncology Programme is designed to address exactly this challenge.

Rather than teaching isolated diagnostics or treatment modalities, the programme follows a structured, tumour-based approach, reflecting how oncologic cases are encountered and managed in real clinical practice. Across all modules, participants learn to integrate tumour biology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, staging, and treatment into a coherent clinical decision-making process.

The focus is not on memorising protocols, but on developing a clear clinical logic - enabling veterinarians to confidently manage cases, make sound “stay or refer” decisions, and guide clients appropriately, regardless of available resources.

Oncology I- Foundation: From “Lump” to Clinical Logic
Oncology I provides the essential foundation for the entire programme. It introduces a structured, biological approach to the cancer patient, focusing on the most common presentations in daily practice, particularly skin and adnexal tumours.

Participants learn how to move from an initial finding (“lump”) to a rational diagnostic and therapeutic plan. Core skills include cytology, biopsy techniques, staging strategies, and fundamental surgical and medical oncology principles.

A strong emphasis is placed on:

• structured “check lump” consultations.
• diagnosing common skin tumours by cytology.
• in-house diagnostic decision-making.
• defining when cases can be managed in practice and when referral is indicated.

This module establishes the clinical framework on which all subsequent oncology courses build.

Oncology II- Internal & Systemic Tumours: Applying the Framework Under Real-World Conditions
Oncology II expands the same structured approach to internal and systemic tumour entities, including haematopoietic neoplasms (e.g. lymphoma), gastrointestinal tumours, and bone tumours.

These cases are often more complex and frequently present under non-ideal conditions, for example:

• suspected lymphoma with a limited budget for comprehensive staging
• abdominal masses of unclear origin
• lameness where bone tumour must be differentiated from benign disease

The course focuses on practical clinical decision-making, enabling participants to:

• interpret clinical findings and imaging findings as well as lymph node and leukaemia cytology in a structured way
• assess tumour behaviour and prognosis
• make confident “stay or refer” decisions

As in all modules, teaching is highly case-based, ensuring direct transfer into daily clinical practice.

Oncology III- High-Impact Tumours Across Organ Systems
Oncology III extends the framework to some of the most clinically significant and frequently encountered tumour entities in small animal practice, including:

• mammary tumours
• transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)
• nasal tumours
• endocrine neoplasia

as well as selected tumours affecting the thoracic cavity, eye, ear, and central nervous system.

These cases often involve high-stakes clinical decisions, where complete diagnostic information or advanced treatment options may not be available in routine clinical practice.

The course therefore focuses on:

• structured decision-making in complex anatomical regions
• realistic treatment planning
• clear assessment of prognosis and treatment limitations

Participants learn to confidently guide clients through challenging oncologic situations, providing clear recommendations on diagnostics, treatment options, and referral pathways.

Progression Through the Programme
The programme is designed as a coherent progression:

• Oncology I establishes the clinical foundation and core decision-making framework
• Oncology II applies this framework to internal and systemic tumour entities
• Oncology III extends it to high-impact and complex tumour presentations across organ systems

Oncology II and III can be taken in any order after completion of Oncology I (or Feline Oncology).

Advanced Course:

Oncology IV (in China Oncology IV + V (Oncology Case Management I & II))
In this course participants will practice the work-up of cancer in dogs and cats based on a mixture of common and unusual or challenging cases. This is a highly interactive, case-driven module. Attendees are expected to actively participate in the work-up of cases in small groups or in plenum using a problem-oriented approach. A major emphasis is on learning good decision-making in oncology including for example, choosing correct diagnostic tests, interpreting radiographic findings and cytology samples (dry-lab), choosing appropriate staging procedures and formulating a therapeutic plan. The courses will cover standard and advanced cytology (e.g. bone marrow, bone tumour, endocrine, etc) and client communication skills.

Stand-alone Course:

Feline Oncology
“Feline Oncology” is specifically designed to provide feline practitioners with the “A to Z” of cancer in cats. This course is ideal for veterinarians with little or no previous knowledge in veterinary oncology, but also highly suitable for feline practitioners, who want to deepen their understanding of feline oncology and get up-to-date with the current state of the art. It can be attended independently of Oncology I-III. While major topics of feline oncology will also be covered in Oncology I-III, the Feline Oncology course will cover these topics in greater detail and also address less common feline tumours. Feline Oncology can be used as a starting point and Oncology I-III can be taken in any order thereafter. However, it is recommended to attend Oncology I before proceeding to Oncology II or III.