Broaden your perspectives on veterinary oncology with this online learning program in 2024.
Oncology is one of the fastest-growing fields in small animal practice. Advances in knowledge and newly-available treatments have provided increasing options for compassionate cancer care and quality of life for your patients.
This online veterinary course is a ground-breaking program, designed by boarded Specialists, to help you develop an evidence-based clinical approach to patients and their management. Rather than following generic protocols, the Oncology Online Learning Program allows you to develop individual case plans and become confident in your investigations and treatment of cancer and give the best patient outcomes.
Accredited training for the ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert), you can grow your veterinary oncology skills while working towards a post graduate qualification.
The online learning materials are designed to provide a logical approach to the main concepts of oncological disease, starting with an understanding of the biology of cancer. The latest information on diagnosis, staging and oncology therapy will be covered. Module topics are consolidated by interactive online case management scenarios.
Oncology topics include:
Build your knowledge, improve patient care and achieve a recognised qualification.
The lecturers were engaging and enthusiastic and this ensured plenty of group discussion to aid the learning process during the modules. I have already noticed a vast improvement in my clinical confidence and abilities and now am even more driven to continue learning.
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This program has been approved for 144 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognise RACE approval.
Module Speaker:
Dr Ana Lara DVM, MSc, PhD, PGcert Med Ed, Dip ACVIM and ECVIM-CA (Oncology), RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology
Key learning objectives:
Define the hallmarks of cancer
Explain how genetic and epigenetic changes contribute to a cancer
Explain how environmental effects can contribute to a cancer
Describe specific examples of cancers in veterinary patients caused by chronic inflammation and viral infection
Compare and contrast the differences between the vasculature, immune surveillance and cellular energetics between tumour tissue and benign tissue
List the steps in the metastatic process
Describe the pathophysiology behind common paraneoplastic diseases
Describe common histopathological parameters involved in the grading of malignancies and give examples of grading systems for common cancers
Compare and contrast staging methods for round cell tumours, carcinomas and sarcomas
Give examples of different types of pain associated with cancer and give examples of how different types of pain can be managed pharmacologically
Define cancer cachexia and outline treatments to ameliorate it
Module Speaker:
Key learning objectives:
Describe how to take high quality radiographs of the thorax, limbs and oral cavity in the diagnosis and staging of cancer
Explain the benefits given by computed tomography over conventional radiography in the diagnosis and staging of cancer
Describe what sentinel lymph node mapping is, and why it is beneficial
Compare and contrast the use abdominal ultrasonography to abdominal computed tomography in the staging of cancer
Compare and contrast the needs of staging solid tumours from round cell tumours
Compare and contrast different techniques for identifying cancer infiltration in liver and spleen
Give examples of risks or complications from the use of image-guided fine needle aspiration or biopsy
Describe optimal combinations of imaging modalities for the staging of different cancers
Describe the basics of interpreting MR images in the diagnosis of CNS neoplasia
Outline the benefit of techniques for example PET-CT over conventional contrast CT scanning
Module Speaker:
Key learning objectives:
Explain how to identify whether a cytology sample is of adequate diagnostic quality
Describe cellular features of malignancy in the context of the cells in question
Be able to identify the cytological appearance of common benign and malignant skin tumours
Be able to identify mast cell tumours cytologically and comment on their degree of cellular differentiation
Explain the criteria for classifying a lymph node cytology smear as “lymphoma” versus “reactive hyperplasia”
Describe the use of different fine needle aspiration techniques to obtain diagnostic samples from different tumours
Explain the criteria used for the cytological diagnosis of a sarcoma and comment on features which may differentiate the type of sarcoma
Explain the cytological features of common carcinomas
Explain how flow cytometry works and why it is of value in the diagnosis of lymphoid malignancies
Describe examples of different PCR-based tests available for diagnosis of canine cancers and comment on the limitations of these tests
Module Speaker:
Key learning objectives:
Outline the limitations and complications possible with surgical or needle-core biopsy of solid tumours
Describe, compare and contrast different methods for assessing completeness of excision
Explain the difference between palliative and definitive radiation therapy, and give examples of cancers appropriate for each
Explain the 4 Rs of radiation therapy
Explain the difference between acute and delayed adverse effects of radiation therapy
Describe the principles and limitations of maximum tolerated dose chemotherapy
Describe the principles and limitations of metronomic chemotherapy
Describe the principles and limitations of small molecule inhibition
Give examples of the use of immunotherapy in veterinary oncology and the challenges it faces
Discuss pertinent considerations in counselling of a client whose pet is being considered for chemotherapy treatment
Module Speaker:
Dr Jocelyn Bisson DipECVIM-CA (ONC)
Key learning objectives:
Compare and contrast the presentation of lymphoma in cats and dogs
Describe the means of diagnosis of lymphoma
Compare and contrast the utility of diagnostic tests to confirm or subtype lymphoma between dogs and cats
Explain the value of the information gained from staging a case of lymphoma
Describe important prognostic factors for canine and feline lymphoma
Describe appropriate treatments and prognoses for different types of canine lymphoma
Describe appropriate treatment for different presentations of feline lymphoma
Discuss the evidence base for the treatment of canine indolent lymphomas
Describe prognostic factors and treatment for chronic and acute lymphoid leukaemias in dogs and cats
Describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment for multiple myeloma in dogs and cats
Module Speaker:
Dr Chiara Penzo DVM PhD Dip.ECVIM-CA(Oncology) MRCVS
Key learning objectives:
List important prognostic factors for canine mast cell tumours, from history, physical examination and histopathology
Discuss the relative independence of one prognostic factor versus another, and outline the strongest indicators of prognosis
Explain how to use immunohistochemical labelling appropriately
Describe practical methods of staging mast cell tumours depending on their location on the body
Describe appropriate use of surgical treatment for a mast cell tumour
Describe options for treatment of an incomplete surgical excision
Explain when to use chemotherapy for mast cell tumours
Explain when to use tyrosine kinase inhibitors for mast cell tumours
Describe appropriate circumstances for the use of intralesional tigilanol tiglate.
Explain prognostic factors and outline treatment for feline cutaneous, intestinal and visceral mast cell tumours
Module Speaker:
Key learning objectives:
Module Speaker:
Kasia Purzycka DVM, MVetMed, MRCVS, DipACVIM (Oncology)
Key learning objectives:
Describe important risk factors for the developing of a canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)
Describe means of diagnosis of a canine TCC (and the associated limitations)
Describe the behaviour and prognosis for canine TCCs
Describe appropriate treatments for canine TCCs
Explain the differences between canine and feline TCCs
Explain important causal factors in the development of a canine prostate tumour
Outline the biology, treatment and prognosis of the transmissible venereal tumour
Describe the prognostic factors for canine mammary tumours and outline the strongest prognostic factors
Describe the prognosis for feline mammary tumours and outline the strongest prognostic factors
Explain the evidence base for the medical treatment of canine and feline mammary tumours
Module Speakers:
Key learning objectives:
Describe important risk factors for the developing of a canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)
Describe means of diagnosis of a canine TCC (and the associated limitations)
Describe the behaviour and prognosis for canine TCCs
Describe appropriate treatments for canine TCCs
Explain the differences between canine and feline TCCs
Explain important causal factors in the development of a canine prostate tumour
Outline the biology, treatment and prognosis of the transmissible venereal tumour
Describe the prognostic factors for canine mammary tumours and outline the strongest prognostic factors
Describe the prognosis for feline mammary tumours and outline the strongest prognostic factors
Explain the evidence base for the medical treatment of canine and feline mammary tumours
Module Speaker:
Rachel Venable DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Key learning objectives:
Outline the important differential diagnoses for oral tumours in dogs and in cats
Describe an appropriate and pragmatic investigation for an oral mass
Describe treatment options and treatment options for common oral tumours in dogs and cats
Outline the important differential diagnoses for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary tumours in dogs and in cats
Describe an appropriate and pragmatic investigation for a gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary tumour
Describe treatment options and treatment options for common gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary tumours in dogs and cats
Describe the epidemiology, clinical presentation and investigation of anal gland and perianal tumours in dogs
List important prognostic factors for anal gland tumours in dogs
Describe treatment options for both advanced and early anal gland tumours in dogs
Module Speaker:
To be confirmed
Key learning objectives:
Explain methods of predicting the diagnosis of a splenic mass based on signalment and clinical presentation, and the accuracy of these techniques
Describe pragmatic approach to spontaneous haemoabdomen in dogs
Outline the differential diagnoses and prognosis for spontaneous haemoabdomen in cats
Explain the pathology of haemangiosarcoma, in relation to its behaviour and paraneoplastic disease
Describe prognostic factors for canine haemangiosarcoma
Describe appropriate treatments for canine haemangiosarcoma, with and without gross disease
Describe the biology, pathophysiology, epidemiology and prognostic factors for canine
Describe appropriate treatments for different presentation of histiocytic sarcoma
Outline the management of less-common splenic malignancies
Module Speakers:
Dr Jocelyn Bisson DipECVIM-CA (ONC)
Key learning objectives:
Describe the pathophysiology of common tumour-related endocrinopathies of the adrenal, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid glands and beta cells of the pancreas
Choose appropriate diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of the above endocrinopathies
Describe appropriate management of the above endocrinopathies
Outline definitive treatment for the above tumour-related endocrinopathies
Describe the clinical presentation, pathologies, and imaging findings in different neurological tumours
List the challenges in the diagnosis of neurological tumours
Describe the treatment options for neurological tumours and the factors which influence response to treatment
Outline important benign and malignant ocular tumours
Describe treatment options and prognosis for ocular tumours
Ana graduated in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Las Palmas, Canary Islands (ULPGC), Spain in 1998 and obtained accreditation of her academic degree (DVM) by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA, ECFVG,) in 2007. Ana completed a PhD about platelet function in dogs with cancer at ULPGC between 1999-2003. She continued her studies with as a Master's degree in Small Animal Medicine, internship in oncology and residency in hematology and oncology between 2003 and 2007 at The Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus, OH, USA. Ana is the first Spanish veterinarian to hold a diploma in oncology from both, the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM and ECVIM-CA) since 2008. After working for a year as a clinical instructor at the Teaching University Hospital she moved to London, UK where she became senior lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) of London. She combined teaching with the development of the RVC Oncology Service at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, for which she was responsible between 2009 and 2014. She also founded and directed the ACVIM Oncology residency program from 2009 to 2017. Since 2018 she works as Oncology consultant at IDEXX UK and in 2021 this work has expanded to IDEXX Spain. She combines consultancy with part-time clinical work at AUNA Veterinary Specialties (Valencia, Spain). Ana was for 10 years member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Veterinary Oncology (ESVONC), holding differnt roles, including president from 2017 to 2021. She has been a member of the Examining Committee for the ECVIM-CA Diploma in Oncology and currently is the director of the ECVIM-CA Oncology Residency Program at AUNA Veterinary Specialties (Valencia, Spain). Her main research interests are new anticancer therapies in pets, diagnosis and treatment of lymphoproliferative diseases, quality of life and clinical reasoning in veterinary oncology. She has numerous publications at international scientific journals https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3672-5460 and has presented her research at International Scientific Meetings. Ana has been an invited speaker in numerous Veterinary Meetings in Europe and enjoys transmitting her passion for oncology through teaching postgraduate courses and continuing education.
EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Audrey Petite graduated from Liege Veterinary School, Belgium, in 1999. After a couple of years in small animal practice and a one-year internship in radiology, she completed her residency program at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK. She became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2005. Following her residency, she worked for several years in large multi-disciplinary referral centres in the UK. She then started a mobile diagnostic imaging service in 2011 providing on-site imaging services to a large number of veterinary practices and zoological parks. She has provided an imaging service to Fitzpatrick Referrals (Oncology and Soft Tissue) since 2015. During all these years, she developed a particular interest in ultrasound and CT, particularly in the fields of oncology and medicine. She especially enjoys all aspects of imaging-guided techniques, ranging from challenging biopsies to assisting in interventional radiology procedures.
EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Oncology RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Oncology Chiara is an EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Oncology. In 2009, she was the first in Europe to be awarded, by examination, the title of European Specialist in Small Animal Oncology and was a member of the examination committee of the ECVIM college between 2011 and 2018. Chiara is currently a proud member of the oncology team at a large referral hospital in the UK midlands Willows Referral, and she is one of only a few experienced, certified UK oncologists in the use of electrochemotherapy for the treatment of cancer in pets. Alongside her referral clinical activity in small animal oncology, Chiara is passionate about teaching. She is an honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool and is a multilingual specialist consultant and lecturer at events in the UK and across Europe. Her focus is on online education of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, pet owners and animal carers, to increase awareness of the treatment of cancer in pets. Chiara’s aims are “to provide vets and owners with the most up-to-date information on cancer diagnosis and treatment options, so that pets can spend more time with their families whilst protecting their quality-of-life and prevent suffering”. Chiara graduated cum laudem and achieved a PhD from the University of Padua (Italy). After a short spell training in the USA, Chiara lived in Scotland for nearly 9 years where she completed a small animal internship and an oncology residency at the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh (2005-2009). She went on to build and lead a busy, private referral oncology service in Glasgow from 2009-2013. Chiara currently lives in the midlands with her husband (also a vet), her two young boys and her wee dog, Tosca. Chiara is also a certified seasonal yoga teacher. In her free time, she is an active swimmer, runner and MTB cyclist. Chiara invites vets and owners to follow her on her Facebook page – Chiara Penzo Vet Oncology.
American Specialist in Veterinary Radiation Oncology European Specialist in Small Animal Oncology RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Oncology Following graduation, James worked in small animal practice for 2 years, prior to undertaking an internship and residency in oncology at the University of Liverpool. He earned the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine, the ECVIM diploma in oncology and became an RCVS-recognised specialist in veterinary oncology. After several years in private practice, James undertook a second residency at North Carolina State University to study radiation oncology. He received advanced training in all aspects of modern radiation therapy, including the planning and delivery of highly sophisticated modes of radiation treatment (intensity-modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic radiation therapy). He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, acted as associated editor for a veterinary journal and is the co-author of the neuro-oncology chapter in the BSAVA manual of Neurology. He has also served as an examiner for several years for both the RCVS and also for the ECVIM oncology diploma. He enjoys all aspects of clinical work, particularly using his skills in both medical and radiation oncology to design custom treatment plans. His goal is to try and improve the quality and length of life of his patients, with as few adverse effects as possible. Outside of work, James enjoys travelling, hiking and music.
Jocelyn graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2014 and started out in general practice in Brighton before completing a rotating internship at Dick White Referrals followed by an oncology residency at the University of Edinburgh. Since gaining her European Diploma in Small Animal Medical Oncology, she divides her time between oncology clinics at the Hospital for Small Animals, University of Edinburgh and studying for a PhD researching human pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Kasia obtained her veterinary degree in 2014 in Warsaw, Poland after spending 4 years at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, one year at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a final year at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. Following a rotating internship in small animals at the University hospital in Munich, Germany, she moved to the United Kingdom where she completed a specialised oncology internship at the Animal Health Trust referral hospital in Newmarket. She has completed her residency in medical oncology at the Royal Veterinary College in October 2019 and successfully passed the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Oncology in the same year becoming an American Veterinary Specialist in Oncology. She also completed master degree with the final research project on canine T cell lymphoma. Among busy clinical activities and providing excellent care to cancer patients, Kasia enjoys teaching interns, residents, general practitioners and veterinary nurses on all aspects of veterinary oncology. Kasia presented her research work at multiple conferences in Europe and US. She has lectured for veterinarians across the world, including Poland, UK, Austria and Hong Kong. She has published various papers for general practitioners in Poland and the UK.
Full Payment Upfront: Total payable AU$13,100 inc GST
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & examination fees.
An initial deposit of AU$2,000 to secure your place. The full balance of fees must be paid one month prior to the program start date (on or before 1 March 2024).
If your enrolment is being submitted within one month of the program start date and you would like to discuss payment options, please contact the Improve team.
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & examination fees.
You must be a graduated Veterinary Surgeon with a minimum of 1 year clinical experience, please check with Improve to ensure your suitability. It is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure you meet the program entry criteria.
All applicants must:
You will spend on average 3-4 hours per week. Preparation of assessments and revising for the final exam is additional depending on your route.
Online modules cannot be deferred without losing the real-time interactive engagement with the Module Tutor.
For up-to-date exam dates please visit www.isvps.org or email [email protected] for any specific queries.
Yes, all the requirements for the ISVPS examinations are online.
Full details of the ISVPS processes are made available after you have registered with the ISVPS. You will be given a login to the Candidates Area after registration. ISVPS also have individual contact points for each country. [email protected] is the Australian contact address and any questions can be sent to this address for follow-up.
The program must be completed within 6 months of the final module. GPCert candidates then have up to four years to satisfy ISVPS assessment requirements and obtain the GPCert.
Yes. Location of study does not affect/change this global program. We can accept delegates across Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific region. Additionally, all content is pre-recorded so can be viewed at any time of day (i.e. time zone differences will not impact your access to content). However, you may need to allow extra time for tutor responses (as some tutors will not be based in Australia). If you intend to sit the GPCert qualification through ISVPS, this is online. Please contact the ISVPS directly for further information ([email protected]).