European School of Peritoneal Surface Oncology (ESPSO)
The objectives
- Provide high quality, structured, basic and advanced training in Peritoneal Surface Oncology
- Certify proficient knowledge of applying candidates in the scientific basis and clinical practice of Peritoneal Surface Oncology, specifically multidisciplinary decision-making and surgical management (European Certification in Peritoneal Surface Oncology)
What we offer
- ESPSO offers the opportunity to participate in the European School of Peritoneal Surface Oncolgy Training Programme, a high quality, structure, basic and advanced training that will lead you to the European Accreditation of Peritoneal Surface Oncolgy .
Training Programme
Lasts 2 years and includes the following mandatory activities
Clinical training at one of the established PSO Treatment Programmes recognised by the School
- Observation of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC procedures
- Direct participation in the execution of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC procedures from aenesthesia induction to patient leaving the operating room
- Participation and attendance to ad hoc multidisciplinary conferences (“tumour boards”) for presentation, discussion, patient selection and therapeutic decision-making
- Presence in in-hospital postoperative follow-up
Attendance at the following ESSO courses
- ESSO Advanced Course on the Management of HIPEC after CRS, that includes a full day hands-on session in a veterinary lab. Next course edition will take place in Berlin from 25th to 27th March 2026.
- ESSO Advanced course on Peritoneal Surface Malignancy, a theoretical course dealing with the scientific basis and current multidisciplinary practice of Peritoneal Surface Oncology, run biennially at rotating sites. Next course edition will take place in Genk (BE) in October 2026.
Attendance to two Peritoneal Surface Oncology Congresses
- At least one PSOGI International Congress (biennial)
- At least one additional meeting on PSM recognised by ESPSO
Attendance to the ESPSO webinar series
These webinars aim to give participants access to the basic knowledge they need to have on the following specialities: radiology, medical oncology, pathology and palliative care.
Formulation and elaboration of a research project
Under the supervision of an established programme recognised by PSOGI, to be presented at a congress and/or submitted for publication at a peer-reviewed journal.
Application
Conditions and process
You can apply for the programme if you:
- Are an active surgical oncologist with a preferential interest in Peritoneal Surface Oncology, seeking advanced, structured training in the field
- Have completed a general surgery residency and basic surgical oncology training and/or show a continued dedication to surgical oncology in your clinical practice
- Are involved or have solid plans to get involved in an established or new Peritoneal Surface Treatment Programme
- Are an active gynaecologist with a preferential interest in surgical oncology and PSM, seeking advanced, short-term training in the field.
Please, download the Application form
To apply, send the following documents as a single PDF
- Application form duly completed
- Letter describing your motivation to participate in the programme
- Short curriculum (maximum 2 pages) including a list of recent publications
- A picture
Fees & Educational Grants
Registration fees and funding opportunities
Administration fee
€ 1 770
To be paid before starting the programme.
The ESSO courses' registration fees are paid separately. Special reduction applies to ESPSO participants.
The ESSO courses' registration fees are paid separately. Special reduction applies to ESPSO participants.
ESSO Educational Grants for ESPSO
ESSO offers two educational grants of 1.000€ each to ESSO members who are attending or planning to attend the ESPSO Training Programme.
The aim of these grants is to help participants to complete the clinical training requirement included in the School programme.
The amount of the grant will be transferred to candidates once the clinical training has started.
Eligibility criteria
- Candidates whose application to join the ESPSO Training has been approved by the School Board but who have not yet started the programme
- Current ESPSO participants who have started but not yet completed the clinical training requirement
- Candidates who are planning to join the ESPSO Training but have not submitted their application yet
- Candidates should have already paid the School administration fee
- Candidates should be members of ESSO at the time they submit their application
- The trainee should start the clinical training within one year following notification of the grant
- The clinical training requirement must take place in one of ESPSO Referral Centres.
- Previous recipients of an ESSO educational grant are not eligible
Documents to be provided (in a single PDF document and only in English)
- For participants already in the ESPSO programme: letter of confirmation from the Head of Department where the training is taking place or where it will take place
- For participants planning to join the ESPSO Programme: motivation letter, recommendation letter from the Head of Department and CV (maximum 2 pages)
Additional requirements for selected candidates at the end of the programme
- Acknowledge the grant received from ESSO in the mandatory ESPSO research requirement (congress presentation and/or published manuscript)
- Produce a complete report on their clinical training including pictures that ESSO will use on its Newsletter, website and social media
