Supervising Committee

Specialist Advisory Committee in Medical Oncology (SAC).

Definition of Specialty

The medical oncologist is a physician with specialised skills in the medical management of patients with malignant disease.

General Principles

1. Training should encompass experience with a broad range of malignancies and an understanding of the place of appropriate methods of investigation, assessment and management. Trained medical oncologists may take their place with radiation oncologists, surgeons, and other health care professionals in multidisciplinary programs to ensure optimal patient outcome.
   
2. Trainees are expected to understand:
   
   • the biology and natural history of malignant disease;
     
   • the management of all stages of common tumours;
     
   • the current specialist literature and;
     
   • relevant techniques of clinical research.
     
3. Trainees shall:
   
   • acquire knowledge of the nature, pathology, natural history and epidemiology and genetics of human malignant disease;
     
   • gain experience in the methods of investigation and management of patients with malignancy, including screening for early detection, and diagnosis by appropriate methods including clinical examination, pathological techniques and imaging procedures;
     
   • gain an adequate understanding of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, use and side effects of antineoplastic drugs (including cytotoxics, hormonal therapies and biological agents);
     
   • be proficient in the prevention and treatment of the complications of malignant disease;
     
   • obtain experience in the supportive management of cancer patients including rehabilitation and symptom palliation with particular emphasis on psychological and social support. Trainees are expected to achieve a high level of communication skills;
     
   • gain an understanding of the role of radiotherapy in the management of patients with cancer;
     
   • gain an understanding of haematology practice with special reference to the haematological side effects of treatments, the management of haematological malignancies, and the use of high dose chemotherapy and marrow/stem cell rescue;
     
   • be familiar with the role of curative and palliative surgery in the management of patients with malignancy;
     
   • gain experience in the development of new agents including protocol development and implementation;
     
   • develop an understanding of the appropriate methods of statistical design and analysis. This should enable the trainee to evaluate research reports with an appropriate depth of understanding.
     
4. Trainees are encouraged to undertake training in more than one institution to enable them to acquire a sufficient breadth of exposure and experience. In some instances it may not be possible to complete training in a single institution. Proposals to undergo training overseas will be assessed prospectively on an individual basis.

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