Surgical Oncology Program Training Program

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Research Component This includes 18 months of bench laboratory experience in one of the many NCI laboratories with the option to extend for an additional year. In addition, Fellows participate in clinical research projects and have first-hand exposure to the design and conduct of clinical trials, including statistical analysis of clinical data. Previous Surgical Oncology Research Fellows have gained experiences in the following research tracks, among others: - Surgical Oncology: Metastasis biology modeling and analysis, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome, wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumors - Thoracic Surgery: Epigenetics of thoracic malignancies, tumor predisposition syndrome, microRNA therapeutics for mesothelioma - Endocrine Surgery: Adrenocortical cancer modeling and analysis, neuroendocrine tumor and carcinoma imaging and targeting Didactic Component All Fellows participate in a formal didactic lecture and discussion curriculum, Foundations of Modern Cancer Biology, designed to quickly bring surgical residents up to speed in understanding the current state of molecular oncology. The curriculum covers current and historical breakthroughs in cancer and cancer treatment through a series of lectures and literature-based discussions, focusing on experimental methods and data interpretation in tumor types of particular interest to surgical oncologists. A summary of the course content can be found here. Clinical Component This includes operative rotations in the areas of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, endocrine, thoracic, and peritoneal surface and gynecologic malignancies. Fellows actively participate in all aspects of patient care including conducting the pre-operative evaluation, performing the operative procedure, and providing post-operative care and subsequent outpatient follow-up. In addition to daily rounds with the attending surgeons, clinical training is further enhanced by a series of weekly conferences including multidisciplinary molecular-based tumor boards, a weekly clinical service meeting, a diverse array of talks on the latest topics in cancer and biomedical science in general by some of the world's most outstanding scientists through lecture series and Grand Rounds held across the entire NIH campus. Expectations At the conclusion of their laboratory, clinical, and didactic training, Fellows will be able to: - Identify critically important questions in surgical oncology - Independently design, perform, and interpret experiments and their results to directly address these questions - Attain mastery in oral and written communication of both scientific research and clinical patient management. Graduates of the Fellowship are expected to become the next generation of leaders in Surgical Oncology Training at the NIH Clinical Center All CCR residents and clinical fellows train at the 240-bed NIH Clinical Center, internationally recognized as the premier hospital dedicated to translational research and clinical care. Clinical rotations offer fellows the opportunity to have direct experience in the care of patients enrolled in investigational oncology-related treatment protocols. Participants will have first-hand exposure to the design, conduct, and management of clinical trials. All of CCR's clinical training programs are part of Graduate Medical Education at NIH.