Oncology

Diagnostic Imaging in Oncology

registration open

 

Valencia / Spain

04.10.2023 – 08.10.2023

14.10.2023

EURO 2.550.-*

EURO 2.450.-*(early registration deadline: 19.04.2022)

* eLibrary access is included in the course fee

Total hours: 40
ATF hours (Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland): TBA
ECTS credits (Master & Certificate): 5

Program Director/
Principal Course Master (Oncology):

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

Program Director/
Course Master (Diagnostic Imaging):

Prof. Dr. Patrick Kircher, DECVDI (CH)

Course Overview

Diagnostic imaging plays an essential role in the diagnostic workup and/or staging of small animal cancer patients. For some tumours, it is also an essential tool for surgical and radiation therapy planning.
Through a combination of lectures, clinical case studies and interactive case presentations this interdisciplinary seminar will discuss the indications, benefits and limitations of various imaging methods for the work-up of cancer patients. There will be a discussion of current trends (e.g. sentinel lymph node mapping) and students will practice the diagnostic work-up and image interpretation of a wide variety of cancer types in several themed sessions.

Please note:
The focus of this course is on image interpretation and the interaction between imaging specialists and oncologists. There will be no detailed discussion (from A-Z) of individual tumour types, cytology and/or treatment methods (e.g. chemotherapy protocols, surgical techniques). Therefore, this course is most suitable for veterinarians with at least some basic knowledge of oncology. Since CT is one of the essential imaging methods covered in this course, access to a CT scanner is highly recommended.
The majority of tumour types in this course were covered in detail in Oncology I-IV, but the vast majority of images and cases in this course will be new. Therefore, this course is highly suitable for students that have completed Oncology I-IV and want to deepen their understanding of diagnostic imaging and its use in oncology case management.

Learning objectives:

• Basics of oncology (tumour biology)
• Understanding tumour diagnosis and staging
• Basics of imaging technologies (concepts and pros & cons)
a. Strengths and limitations of radiograph in cancer patients
b. Strengths and limitations of ultrasound in cancer patients
c. Strengths and limitations of CT in cancer patients
d. Strengths and limitations of MRI in cancer patients
• Other imaging modalities (Scintigraphy, PET-CT…)
• Using Imaging methods to document cancer hallmarks & other properties of cancer
• CT as a diagnostic and staging tool in oncology (incl. sentinel lymph node mapping, multiphase-CTs, CT-guided biopsies, etc)
• Whole body CTs for cancer patients
• Imaging as a tool for decision making in oncology
• Work-up and management of cancer types for which imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging or treatment planning (e.g. soft-tissue sarcoma, bone tumours, head & neck tumours, intra-thoracic tumour, pelvic tumours, abdominal tumours, etc)

Preliminary Course Program

Wednesday, 04 October 2023 - Basics of Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging and Tumor-Imaging

08:00 – 08:30 Registration
08:30 – 10:30 Basics of oncology, diagnostic Imaging and tumour-imaging
Cancer hallmarks and other properties of cancer
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Understanding of diagnostic imaging modalities
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30 Detection of lung metastases
Conventional ways to assess LN (CT, ultrasound, etc.)
Practical examples of cancer staging
15:30 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Whole body-CT as a staging tool
Principles of PET-CT
Sentinel LN Mapping

Thursday, 05 October 2023 – Bone Tumours / Tumours of the head and neck I & II

Bone tumours: Appendicular Tumours / Axial Tumours / Tumours of the Skull / Relevant Non-Neoplastic Differentials

09:00 – 10:30 Principles skeletal imaging & cases
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies skeletal tumours
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break

Tumours of the head and neck I & II: Nasal tumours / Retrobulbar masses / Oral tumours / Tumour of the ear canal and middle ear / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials / Endocrine and neuroendocrine tumours of the neck / Primary lymph node tumours and metastases / Other tumours at the neck / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

14:00 – 15:30 Principles of cervicocranial imaging & cases
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 An overview of brain tumour imaging cases

Friday, 06 October 2023 - Tumours of the head & neck II / Thoracic tumours

09:00 – 10:30 Case studies cervicocranial tumours 
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies cervicocranial tumours 
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break

Thoracic tumours: Lung tumours / Mediastinal masses / Lymphadenopathies / Esophageal masses / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

14:00 – 15:30 Principles of thoracic imaging & cases 
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Case studies tumours of the thorax

Saturday, 07 October 2023 – Abdominal tumours I & II

Abdominal tumours: Hepatosplenic tumours / Gastrointestinal tumours / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

09:00 – 10:30 Principles of hepato-pancreatic and GI imaging & cases 
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies hepato-pancreatic and GI tumours Schmidt
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break

Abdominal Tumours II: Urogenital tract tumour, / Endocrine abdominal tumours / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

14:00 – 15:30 Principles of urogenital and endocrine abdominal imaging & cases 
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Case studies urogenital tumours

Sunday, 08 October 2023 – Pelvic/perineal tumours

Pelvic/perineal tumours: Rectal tumours / Pelvic tumours / Anal sac tumours / Perineal tumours / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

09:00 – 10:30 Case studies pelvic and miscellaneous tumours 
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies pelvic and miscellaneous tumours 
12:30 – 13:00 Wrap up of the course
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break & Farewell

EXTRA ONLINE SESSION: Saturday, 14 October 2023 – Skin tumours and surgical decision making

9:00 – 10:30 Skin tumours 
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Imaging and surgical decision making (miscellaneous cases) 
Quiz

Course location

Valencia / Spain