Surgical Oncology – Principles, Planning, and Decision-Making

Topic outline

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• Welcome & Orientation
  • Select activity welcome intro

    Welcome to Surgical Oncology – Principles, Planning, and Decision-Making.

    
  • Select activity module intro video

• Learning Outcomes
  • Select activity Learning outcomes

    On successful completion of this module, candidates will be able to:

    Foundations of Oncological Surgery

    • Apply the principles of oncologic surgery, including resection margins, tissue plane dissection, and early vascular control, to optimise patient outcomes.
    • Select and perform appropriate biopsy techniques (FNA, incisional, excisional), considering diagnostic yield and surgical planning.

    Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Oncological Surgery

    • Plan surgical resections with appropriate margin strategies (numerical, barrier, or compartmental), tailored to tumour type and location.

    Species Specific Considerations

    • Identify feline-specific oncologic presentations (e.g., FISS, feline MCT) and adapt management accordingly.

    Tumour Specific Considerations

    • Formulate a structured diagnostic and staging approach to patients presenting with cutaneous or subcutaneous tumours.
    • Describe the biological behaviour, grading systems, and treatment recommendations for mast cell tumours, soft tissue sarcomas, and mammary neoplasms.
    • Evaluate the role of imaging (radiography, ultrasound, CT, MRI) in diagnosis, staging, and surgical planning for neoplastic conditions.
    • Plan surgical resections with appropriate margin strategies (numerical, barrier, or compartmental), tailored to tumour type and location.
    • Interpret pathology reports on surgical margins and incorporate results into follow-up treatment planning.
    • Discuss the principles, indications, and limitations of adjunct therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy in small animal oncology.
    • Evaluate the anaesthetic, analgesic, and fluid considerations specific to oncologic surgeries and integrate them into perioperative care.
    • Determine when referral to a specialist is indicated based on tumour complexity, anatomical location, surgeon competence, and requirement for (neo)adjuvant therapy.

• Tumour Specific Considerations
  • Select activity intro module

    Once principles are established, surgery becomes tumour-specific. This section examines how biological behaviour, anatomical constraints and clinical priorities shape surgical strategy for individual neoplasms.

  • Lectures
    • Select activity Banner Lecture

      

      Lecture

    • Select activity Soft Tissue Sarcomas

      Completion

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      Soft Tissue Sarcomas Page

      Every first surgery sets the outcome. This session focuses on planning definitive sarcoma resections.

      Duration: 27:02 minutes

    • Select activity Oral Tumours

      Completion

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      Oral Tumours Page

      Every millimetre matters. This session examines oncological surgery in one of the most complex anatomical spaces. Balance control, function and quality of life.

      Duration: 32:26 minutes

  • Active Learning Activity
    • Select activity Banner Error Management Training

      

      Error Management Training

    • Select activity EMT intro

      Error Management Training

      In this activity, you are presented with a 7-year-old Golden Retriever exhibiting a recurrent cutaneous mast cell tumour three months post-excision. This case challenges you to navigate the critical decision-making process between simple re-intervention and comprehensive restaging, helping you to identify and avoid common clinical pitfalls in tumour management.

    • Select activity The Mass is Back

      Completion

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      The Mass is Back Page
    • Select activity Banner Interactive Clinical Case

      

      Interactive Clinical Case

    • Select activity ICC intro

      Interactive Clinical Case

      In this interactive clinical case, you will follow the diagnostic reasoning and decision making process for a dog presenting with a slowly progressive soft tissue mass. Using the clinical information provided, you will be challenged to interpret key findings, consider differential diagnoses, and select appropriate diagnostic and management steps as the case unfolds.

    • Select activity Soft Tissue Sarcomas

      Completion

      Students must

      

      View

      

      Soft Tissue Sarcomas Page

• Vet Knowledge Centre
  • Select activity Intro Vet Knowledge Centre

    Welcome to the Vet Knowledge Centre

    In a world overflowing with information yet limited by time, the true challenge is not access to knowledge but knowing what truly matters.The Vet Knowledge Centre gathers the most valuable readings, podcasts, and learning tools selected by the Improve team to enrich your understanding of each module’s key themes.Whether you are revisiting core ideas on the move or exploring new concepts in a quiet moment, this space offers clarity, focus, and clinically relevant insight.

  • Select activity Banner Reading Room | Vet Knowledge Centre

    

    Reading Room

  • Select activity Reading Room

    Completion

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    Reading Room Page

    A selection of key papers and articles to deepen your scientific and clinical understanding.

  • Select activity Banner Listening Room

    

    Listening Room

  • Select activity Listening Room

    Completion

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    Listening Room Page

    Audio versions of key papers, relevant podcasts, and a spoken summary of the module, making it easier to learn on the go.

• Completion
  • Select activity Completion

    

    Well done!

    You’ve completed the “Surgical Oncology – Principles, Planning, and Decision-Making” module.

    Thank you for your hard work. In recognition of your achievement, you’ve earned a badge.