From “Lump” to Logic: A structured clinical introduction to veterinary oncology

Oncology is no longer a niche, it is a daily reality. This course provides a systematic entry point into modern cancer management. We move from clinical uncertainty to a structured, biological approach, teaching you to master the "Game Rules" of Cancer to understand the rationale behind clinical decisions.

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

What makes this course unique is the integrated balance of Medical and Surgical Oncology. Our primary focus remains on what you see every day: Skin and Adnexal Tumours. You will leave with a clear clinical "blueprint" for the most frequent cases, understanding the ethical balance between definitive therapy and palliative care.

Importantly, the value of this course is not dependent on performing chemotherapy or radiation therapy in-house. The focus is on clinical decision-making, enabling you to guide clients appropriately regardless of available treatment options and to make informed referral decisions.

We teach evidence-based, internationally accepted oncology principles and help you translate them into structured, real-world clinical decision-making for general practice, including situations where diagnostic or therapeutic resources are limited.

Cytology will be done with videos. Students must bring a laptop/tablet/phone for self-studying cytology. A laptop or tablet is preferred. Bring travel adapters and/or chargers.

• Manage “Check Lump” Consultations with Confidence: Apply a standardized, confident approach to every patient with a suspected skin mass, replacing guesswork with clinical logic.
• Diagnose with Confidence: Acquire the technical skills to identify the most relevant skin tumours yourself using in-house cytology, providing immediate clarity for the owner.
• Master the “Stay or Refer” Decision: Learn to distinguish between manageable and complex cases, enabling you to manage appropriate cases in your own practice while identifying the moment specialist referral is indicated.
• Optimize Surgical & Medical Outcomes: Apply fundamental surgical oncology principles for clean margins and understand the biological rationale and safety considerations for chemotherapy and radiation protocols.
• Communicate with Authority and Empathy: Guide owners through complex decisions with professional clarity, providing realistic expectations and compassionate guidance.

This course is designed for:

• General Practitioners seeking a logically structured approach to oncology patients to move beyond "watch and wait."
• Ambitious Veterinarians aiming for an ESAVS Oncology Master’s or Certificate level, seeking a solid foundation that holds up to international standards.
• Surgeons seeking to better understand surgical oncological principles to drastically reduce the risk of local tumour recurrence.
• Practice Owners aiming to expand their clinic’s service spectrum by implementing basic diagnostics and oncology protocols responsibly.

Note: Access to basic diagnostic tools (radiography, ultrasound, microscopy, laboratory) is highly recommended to fully utilize the algorithms taught in this course.

Topics include:

• Tumour Biology 101: A clinician’s guide to cancer behavior.
• Diagnostic Roadmap: Imaging strategies and systematic tumour staging.
• Biopsy & Cytology: Theory and interactive dry-lab sessions on sample collection and interpretation.
• Medical Oncology: a practical introduction to chemotherapy, focusing on indications, safety and clinical decision-making
• Surgical Oncology: Do’s and don’ts, margin planning and reconstructive principles.
• Radiation Oncology: Understanding its role in the multimodal approach.
• Clinical Cases: Deep dive into the most common canine and feline skin tumours.

This course is in English language.

Oncology II and III build upon this seminar, addressing all remaining tumour systems in detail. The recommended path is doing Oncology II before III, but this is not essential and these courses can be taken in any order once either Oncology I or Feline Oncology are completed.