The delivery of high quality care as well as considerable progresses clinical and basic research can only be ensured via a harmonised paediatric oncology training and education programme throughout Europe. This is one of the priorities of SIOPE, actively involved in several courses to develop the knowledge of health professionals on state-of-the-art therapies and allow them to gain more practical skills in the treatment of paediatric malignancies.
One of these initiatives is the Masterclass in paediatric oncology, which SIOPE holds in partnership with the European School of Oncology (ESO), a society dedicated to improving the skills of all health professionals dealing with cancer patients. This practice-oriented training with a focus on the application of the most recent research findings to clinical practice. At its sixth edition, this educational programme is intended for young paediatric oncologists who wish to improve their practical skills in the clinical management of common childhood tumours. The Masterclass teaching sessions focus on the application of the most recent research findings in different tumour types (central nervous system tumours, neuroblastoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, bone tumours, Wilms’ tumour, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and rare tumours) into clinical practice.
The 2016 edition of this Masterclass received 61 applications, of which 42 participants were selected from 18 countries. Particularly attractive for young professionals – the average age of participants was 34 – the course has been “an excellent experience” for Dr. Antonio Juan Ribelles (Spain). “A whole review of all paediatric malignancies was revised in five intense but entertaining days. All the topics were conducted by 
European specialists in the subject, and the last updates were highlighted in the presentations" continues Dr. Ribelles, who recommends this experience to other junior paediatric oncologists. Course participants had the opportunity to present a clinical case that was commented by the staff, thus making “the rhythm of the class more fluid and educational.”
Two of the patient cases presented during the Masterclass – a case on adolescent sarcoma from Dr. Luca Bergamaschi and one on refractory metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma on an adolescent at the end of life from Dr. Jessica Morgan – have been already uploaded on the ESO ePatCare platform for educational purposes, and are likely to be soon transformed in interactive ESO-SIOPE e-sessions.
One of these initiatives is the Masterclass in paediatric oncology, which SIOPE holds in partnership with the European School of Oncology (ESO), a society dedicated to improving the skills of all health professionals dealing with cancer patients. This practice-oriented training with a focus on the application of the most recent research findings to clinical practice. At its sixth edition, this educational programme is intended for young paediatric oncologists who wish to improve their practical skills in the clinical management of common childhood tumours. The Masterclass teaching sessions focus on the application of the most recent research findings in different tumour types (central nervous system tumours, neuroblastoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, bone tumours, Wilms’ tumour, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and rare tumours) into clinical practice.
The 2016 edition of this Masterclass received 61 applications, of which 42 participants were selected from 18 countries. Particularly attractive for young professionals – the average age of participants was 34 – the course has been “an excellent experience” for Dr. Antonio Juan Ribelles (Spain). “A whole review of all paediatric malignancies was revised in five intense but entertaining days. All the topics were conducted by European specialists in the subject, and the last updates were highlighted in the presentations" continues Dr. Ribelles, who recommends this experience to other junior paediatric oncologists. Course participants had the opportunity to present a clinical case that was commented by the staff, thus making “the rhythm of the class more fluid and educational.”
Two of the patient cases presented during the Masterclass – a case on adolescent sarcoma from Dr. Luca Bergamaschi and one on refractory metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma on an adolescent at the end of life from Dr. Jessica Morgan – have been already uploaded on the ESO ePatCare platform for educational purposes, and are likely to be soon transformed in interactive ESO-SIOPE e-sessions.