Oncology

Diagnostic Imaging in Oncology

registration open

 

Palma / Spain

25.04.2025 – 29.04.2025

EURO 2.600.-*

EURO 2.500.-*(early registration deadline: 01.12.2024)

* 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

Friday, 25 April 2025 - Basics of Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging and Tumor-Imaging
08:30 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 – 10:30 Basics of tumour biology, tumour diagnosis and staging Schmidt
Cancer hallmarks and other properties of cancer in imaging Schmidt
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Understanding of diagnostic imaging modalities Kircher
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30 Detection of lung metastases Kircher
Conventional ways to assess LN (CT, ultrasound, etc.) Kircher
Practical examples of cancer staging Schmidt / Kircher
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Whole body-CT as a staging tool Schmidt / Kircher
Principles of PET-CT Kircher
Sentinel LN Mapping Kircher / Schmidt
Saturday, 26 April 2025 – Bone Tumours / Tumours of the head and neck I & II
Bone tumours: Appendicular tumours / Axial tumours / Tumours of the skull / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

08:00 – 09:00 Independent pre-study case studies (alone or in groups)
09:00 – 10:30 Principles skeletal imaging & cases Kircher
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies skeletal tumours Schmidt
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 Kircher
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Principles of cervicocranial imaging & cases Kircher

Sunday, 27 April 2025 - Tumours of the head & neck II / Thoracic tumours
08:00 – 09:00 Independent pre-study case studies (alone or in groups)
09:00 – 10:30 Case studies cervico-cranial tumours Schmidt
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies cervico-cranial tumours Schmidt
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 Kircher
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Case studies tumours of the thorax Schmidt

Monday, 28 April 2025 – Abdominal tumours I & II
Abdominal tumours I: Hepatosplenic tumours / Gastrointestinal tumours / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials
08:00 – 09:00 Independent pre-study case studies (alone or in groups)

09:00 – 10:30 Principles of hepato-pancreatic and GI imaging & cases Kircher
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Principles of urogenital & endocrine abdominal imaging & cases Kircher
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break

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

14:00 – 15:30 Case studies hepato-pancreatic & GI tumours Schmidt
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Case studies upper urinary tract and abdominal endocrine tumours Schmidt

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 – Pelvic/perineal tumours
Lower urinary tract, genital and pelvic / perineal tumours: Bladder, prostatic, testicular cancer / Rectal tumours / Pelvic tumours / Anal sac tumours / Perineal tumours / Relevant non-neoplastic differentials

08:00 – 09:00 Independent pre-study case studies (alone or in groups)
09:00 – 10:30 Case studies lower urinary tract & pelvic tumours Schmidt
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Case studies lower urinary tract & pelvic tumours Schmidt
12:30 – 13:00 Wrap up of the course
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break & Farewell

Course location