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Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe
PublicationsCIRSE InsiderThe IO Foundation Course 2024

The IO Foundation Course 2024

May 8, 2024

On Saturday, April 27, CIRSE hosted the third edition of the IO Foundation Course in advance of ECIO 2024 in Palma de Mallorca.

As interventionalists know, interventional oncology presents a safe and efficient treatment option for patients diagnosed with various malignancies. Initially perceived primarily as a solution for hard-to-reach or inoperable tumours, IO’s significance has significantly broadened over time. It now encompasses a wide array of oncologic applications through minimally invasive image-guided procedures. These advancements are rapidly positioning IO as a pivotal component of cancer management, standing alongside medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.

Prof. Andy Adams opening the 2024 IO Foundation Course.

Tailored for trainees and young staff members, the IO Foundation Course provided participants with an initial understanding of key IO procedures and their integration within a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.

Prof. Andy Adams opened the course with words of welcome. “Those of you who have registered have made a wise decision. I think this foundation course will set the scene for proper training in oncology, which I think is essential for the future of interventional oncology.”

He stressed that as physicians are catching cancers earlier, and therefore at smaller sizes, tumours will increasingly be treated by minimally invasive techniques. “It’s inconceivable that [for example] very small metastases in the liver are going to be treated surgically in the future.”  In spite of this, IO is often included only as an “optional extra” rather than a first line of treatment.  Prof. Adams attempted to answer why; some factors could be limited visibility of IO and lack of formal training. He implored that IOs need to make the time to practice as fully-fledged clinicians, including participating in MDM meetings, taking part in outpatient clinics, making ward rounds and writing clinical letters.

He emphasized that IRs should learn the essentials of oncology, knowing both what IRs can do as well as what other disciplines can do as well as their limitations.

Participants in the course learned about the main elements of oncology through talks given by multi-disciplinary tumour board members. Topics included lung cancer and lung metastases, primary liver cancer and liver metastases, and renal cell carcinoma. Each presenter within the sessions was given 10 minutes to focus on specific aspects and treatment options concerning their topic.

Reflecting CIRSE’s increased activities in the realm of clinical care, the last session of the course focused on clinical practice in IO. This session in particular generated quite a lot of discussion, especially around the topics of patient empathy and the social balance that IOs must keep with their MDT colleagues when making the case for IO as primary treatment.

The IO Foundation Course has been designed as a primer to the European Curriculum for Interventional Oncology, allowing participants in the course to be able to build on what they learn as they gain more in-depth knowledge of the CIRSE curriculum for IO.

The 2024 IO Foundation course is available to watch on demand via the CIRSE Library.