Exploring Cancer Care with MSKCC Icons

“At MSK, cancer care – from immunotherapy and surgery to integrative medicine – is the only thing we do.” These words make up the slogan of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which was the partner institution of the oncology seminar that took place from October 20 to 26, 2024. The course is part of a three-year curriculum, which shifts its focus to different areas of oncology with each turn. The main core areas are hematologic malignancies; breast and gynecologic cancers; uro-oncology; gastrointestinal cancers; thoracic and head and neck cancers; and soft tissue, bone, and skin malignancies. The latter of which were this week’s topics.

Fibrous tissue tumors, muscle tissue tumors, blood and lymph vessel tumors, nerve tissue tumors, extraskeletal tumors, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors can all be counted as soft tissue, bone, and skin malignancies. This list, which only names a few types of cancers, highlights how broad the specialty of oncology is and how knowledgeable experts in the field must be in order to treat these diseases.

MSKCC is one of the most renowned hospitals in the world known for its thoughtful patient care, dynamic research programs, and educated physicians. The fellows were excited to be taught by five of the best oncologists from MSKCC during the course. Expert in the management of head and neck tumors, Dr. David G. Pfister is one of the OMI’s longest-serving faculty members. This course marked his 21st participation in the OMI program. Co-course director Dr. Mark A. Dickson, a sarcoma specialist, served for the third time. Dr. Christopher A. Barker, who is a radiation oncologist, was present for the second time, and Dr. Edmund Bartlett, a surgical oncologist, as well as Dr. Michael Postow, a renowned melanoma specialist, both joined for the first time.

When asked what makes the Open Medical Institute’s seminars so special, Dr. Dickson explains that “the OMI seminars are a great opportunity to meet so many doctors from all over the world to learn from varied perspectives in treating cancer. They are special because of their small size, intimate setting, and informality. The OMI staff is also very helpful at organizing the seminars and keeping everything running smoothly.”

The five experts worked as a harmonious team, delivering up-to-date lectures, encouraging discussion rounds, and answering all the fellows’ eager questions. “Prognostication in Clinically Localized Melanoma”, “Targeted Therapy of Rare Soft Tissue Sarcomas”, “Surgical Options in Advanced Cutaneous and Soft Tissue Malignancy”, and “Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Systemic Therapy” were some of the lectures presented.

The course director described the seminar as follows: “The expert multidisciplinary faculty from Memorial Sloan Kettering reviewed state-of-the-art diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment for patients with sarcomas, melanomas, and other skin cancers, paying attention to the underlying molecular biology of these diseases. It was the faculty’s great pleasure to work with and mentor an outstanding group of fellows from 18 different countries with prior training in a spectrum of medical specialties relevant to the care of patients with cancer. The seminar was highly interactive with the attending fellows asking many thoughtful questions. A highlight of the week was the fellows’ presentations of interesting, often challenging, cases with important educational and management commentary provided by the faculty. I am confident that, upon their return home, what the fellows have learned this week will have a significant and positive impact both on the care of their patients and through the many new insights they can share with their colleagues.”

The 29 young oncologists from 18 countries, including Bulgaria, Georgia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan, not only gained new knowledge from the faculty but also from each other. The countless networking opportunities and the two case presentation sessions by fellows were the perfect time to discuss work challenges and learn about different practices in other countries as well as new treatment methods. The faculty awarded six participants with certificates for their excellent presentations.