The European School of Oncology came into existence to respond to a need
for information, education and training in the field of the diagnosis
and treatment of cancer. There are two main reasons why such an
initiative was considered necessary. Firstly, the teaching of oncology
requires a rigorously multidisciplinary approach which is difficult for
the Universities to put into practice since their system is mainly
disciplinary orientated. Secondly, the rate of technological development
that impinges on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been so rapid
that it is not an easy task for medical faculties to adapt their
curricula flexibly. With its residential courses for organ pathologies
and the seminars on new techniques (laser, monoclonal antibodies,
imaging techniques etc.) or on the principal therapeutic controversies
(conservative or mutilating surgery, primary or adjuvant chemotherapy,
radiotherapy alone or integrated), it is the ambition of the European
School of Oncology to fill a cultural and scientific gap and, thereby,
create a bridge between the University and Industry and between these
two and daily medical practice. One of the more recent initiatives of
ESO has been the institution of permanent study groups, also called task
forces, where a limited number of leading experts are invited to meet
once a year with the aim of defining the state of the art and possibly
reaching a consensus on future developments in specific fields of
oncology.