Oncology I

Name: Oncology I
Start: 2026-06-10T00:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-14T23:59:59+02:00
Location: Luxembourg

Waiting list open

Waiting list

Program Director:

Dr. Jarno Schmidt MRCVS, Dipl. ECVIM-CA (DE)

Principal Course Master(s):

Dr. Jarno Schmidt MRCVS, DECVIM-CA (DE)

Course Master(s):

Dr. Laurent Findji, Dipl. ECVS (UK)
Dr. Owen Davies, MRCVS, MANZCVS, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA (UK)

Course Overview

Over the past decade, our knowledge of cancer in animals has increased rapidly. More and more veterinarians and clients are becoming open-minded about treating canine and feline cancer patients. “Oncology I” will start with the diagnostic approach to the cancer patient, including biopsy taking, staging procedures, diagnostic imaging options as well as several practical cytology sessions. Further, there will be a detailed discussion of the 3 main treatment options (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy) and of novel cancer drugs (e.g. tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Palladia™, Masivet™), Stelfonta™, metronomic chemotherapy). Management of side effects will be explained and safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs will be practiced hands-on.
“Oncology I” will address neoplasms of the skin and adnexal structures in detail as they are the most common tumours in clinical practice. A major emphasis of the course will be on interactive and case oriented work using a systematic approach to the cancer patient including recognizing symptoms, interpreting radiographic findings, choosing correct staging procedures and formulating a therapeutic plan.
“Oncology I” will start from scratch and provide a very solid basis of oncological principles and skin tumours. It is ideal for veterinarians with little or no previous knowledge in veterinary oncology, but also suitable for people, who want to deepen their understanding. This course includes both medical and surgical oncology (including surgical techniques) and is therefore ideal for candidates interested in either or both.
“Oncology II” and “Oncology III” will build up on this seminar and address all the remaining tumour systems in great detail. As in Oncology I, there will be a major focus on interactive case management and there will be a balance between both medical and surgical oncology.

Oncology I or Feline Oncology are mandatory before continuing on to Oncology II and III. Oncology II and Oncology III can be taken in any order. Oncology IV can be taken only after completion of Oncology I-III.

Topics

Tumour biology for clinicians
Diagnostic imaging and tumour staging methods
Biopsy techniques: theory and practice
Tumour cytology: theory and practical sessions (microscopes)
Paraneoplastic syndromes
Understanding indications, limitations and risks involved with chemotherapy
How to safely administer chemotherapy: this part includes a hands-on session introducing a safe and affordable system for administration of cytotoxic agents (PhaSeal™-system, Equashield™ system).
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Palladia™ and Masivet™: the first drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for small animal tumours (canine mast cell tumours).
How to use Stelfonta™ (Virbac) (EMEA licenced in 2020)
Principles of surgical oncology including reconstruction in oncologic surgery
Principles of radiation oncology
Cutaneous neoplasms (incl. mast cell tumors, soft-tissue sarcoma, anal sac and perineal tumours, cutaneous digital tumours, etc)
Interactive case management sessions

Topics Oncology I

Basic tumour science
Diagnostics
Treatment options
Paraneoplastic syndromes
Skin tumours (the other tumour types will be covered in Oncology II and Oncology III)

Course Program (Subject to change)

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

08:30 – 09:00 Welcome and registration
09:00 – 10:30 The road from normal to cancer: how & why do normal cells become cancerous… Schmidt
and what does that mean?
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 Diagnostic approach to the cancer patient I Schmidt
History, clinical exam, laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging
12:00 – 12:45 Cancer staging: principles, practice, limitations Davies
Case-based: How would you work-up and stage this patient?
12:45 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:15 How do I take good samples for cytological or histological examinations? Davies
15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:15 Paraneoplastic syndromes: general principles & case management Schmidt
17:30 Welcome Drinks

Thursday, 11 June 2026

09:00 – 10:15 Introduction to chemotherapy I Schmidt
10:15 – 11:00 Introduction to chemotherapy II Davies
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:15 Chemotherapy drugs I – Alkylators, L-Asparginase, Corticosteroids, Platinum-Drugs Schmidt
12:15 – 13:00 Chemotherapy drugs II – Antitumour antibiotics, Vinca-Alkaloids, Taxanes, Antimetabolites Davies
13:00 – 14:15 Lunch Break
14:15 – 14:45 Safety considerations when administering chemotherapy Davies
14:45 – 15:15 Wet-lab: how to use the PhaSeal & Equashield Systems for safe
application of chemotherapeutic agents Schmidt
15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:00 Case-session: How do I manage this chemotherapy side effect? Schmidt

Friday, 12 June 2026

09:00 – 09:45 How do I avoid and manage iatrogenic chemotherapy complications Schmidt
09:45 – 10:45 The art of “checking lump”: Overview & general approach Schmidt
Canine benign skin tumours and “tumour-like lesions“ Schmidt
Canine cutaneous (& digital) melanomas Schmidt
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:30 Tumour cytology: getting started Schmidt
Practical demonstration of some cases on the microscope
12:30 – 13:45 Lunch Break
13:45 – 14:30 Feline squamous cell carcinomas (skin, nasal planum) & Bowen’s disease Findji
Group 1: 14:30 – open Small group work: Practical tumour cytology I (including Coffee Break) Schmidt
Group 2: 14:30 – 16:45 Case-based approach to surgical oncology (including Coffee Break) Findji

Saturday, 13 June 2026

Group 2: 08:30 – 10:30 Small group work: Practical tumour cytology I Schmidt
Group 1: 09:00 – 10:30 Case-based approach to surgical oncology Findji
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30 Basic principles of radiation oncology Schmidt
11:30 – 12:00 “Metronomic chemotherapy: hype or hope” Schmidt
12:00 – 13:00 Anal sac and perianal tumors Findji
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30 Group 1: Case management session: Canine and feline soft-tissue sarcomas (90 minutes) Findji
Group 2: Practical tumour cytology II (90 – 120 minutes) Schmidt
15:30 – 15:45 Coffee Break (15 – 30 minutes)
15:45 – 17:30 Groups 1 and 2 rotate

Sunday, 14 June 2026

08:00 – 09:15 Canine mast cell tumors: biology, diagnosis, staging, histology Schmidt
09:15 – 10:15 Canine mast cell tumors: tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy Schmidt
10:15 – 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:15 Stelfonta for the treatment of canine mast cell tumours Schmidt
11:45 – 12:30 Case management: How would you work-up this MCT and treat it? Findji
12:30 – 12:45 CASUS – Master vs. Certificate Program – Feedback – Q&A Schmidt
12:45 – 13:45 Lunch Break & hotel check out
13:45 – 14:15 Case management session: Feline cutaneous & splenic mast cell tumours Schmidt
14:15 – 15:30 Case management session. Canine squamous cell carcinomas (digit, skin, nasal planum) Findji
15:30 – open Coffee & Wrap-up of the course