ESSO European School of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Surgery (ESSTSS) Training Programme

Programme overview

Two-year ESSO/CTOS school. Clinical training in at least two of five referral centres (University Hospitals Birmingham, Institut Curie, Royal Marsden, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milan, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek NKI Amsterdam), each stay 2-6 months, with direct participation in at least 4 retroperitoneal sarcoma, 10 limb/truncal STS and 2 GIST procedures per centre, tumour boards and postoperative follow-up; mandatory congresses (CTOS, RESURGE, ESMO Sarcoma, ESSO) and two research projects.

Source intake statement at last review: Official ESSO school page; ESSO educational grants call open until 31 October 2026

A published programme or position count does not establish a current vacancy.

Training and clinical exposure

Retroperitoneal, limb and truncal soft tissue sarcoma surgery; GIST surgery; sarcoma tumour boardsCaptured from the official source listed below

International applicant assessment

Acceptance, medical registration and immigration are separate decisions. Clinical training does not automatically confer operative privileges.

Can international surgeons apply?

Eligibility unclear — confirm with the programmeCaptured from the official source listed below

Clinical role and hands-on restrictions

Direct participation in sarcoma surgical procedures (minimum numbers per centre stated on page)Captured from the official source listed below

Medical registration

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

Language

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

Visa or work authorisation

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

Application timeline and contact

Application deadline

31 October 2026 (educational grants only; school application deadline not stated)Captured from the official source listed below

Commencement / intake

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

Application cycle

Rolling school application; grant call deadline 31 October 2026Captured from the official source listed below

Published positions — not remaining vacancies

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

How to apply

Send application documents as one PDF to ESSO; application form downloadable from pageCaptured from the official source listed below

Official programme contact

ESSO education office: +32 2 880 62 63, BrusselsCaptured from the official source listed below

Eligibility and application documents

Published entry requirements

Active surgical oncologist or surgical oncology fellow with interest in soft tissue sarcoma; general surgery residency and basic surgical oncology training completed or continued dedication to surgical oncology; medical licence from an EU country; involved or planning to be involved in a sarcoma programme; proficient English and/or language of visited centresCaptured from the official source listed below

Application documents

Single PDF: application form, motivation letter, letter of recommendation from mentor or Head of Department, short CV (max 2 pages) with recent publications, pictureCaptured from the official source listed below

Benefits, funding and costs

Salary or funding

ESSO educational grant: one grant of EUR 2,000 for ESSO members (50% at start of clinical training, 50% at end); deadline 31 October 2026Captured from the official source listed below

Fees and upfront expenses

Administration fee EUR 1,000 (ESSO members) or EUR 1,200 (non-members), payable before starting; ESSO Congress registration paid separately with ESSTSS discountCaptured from the official source listed below

Benefits and support

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

Accommodation or relocation

Not yet confirmed from an official sourceNot yet confirmed

Unknown funding does not mean unpaid; unknown fees do not mean free. Confirm the written appointment terms before committing.

Host institution

European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) with CTOS

European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) with CTOS in Brussels, Belgium hosts this official-source SurgFellow record in Surgical Oncology. Listings do not imply endorsement or an open intake.