The European Society of Surgical Oncology, ESSO, was established in 1981 to advance the art, science and practice of surgery for the treatment of cancer. It does that by: organising the biggest congress in surgical oncology in Europe ; unifying the surgical oncology community in a network of over 20.000 members (individuals and corporate); providing education and training to both young and experienced surgeons through courses and e-learning activities; publishing a monthly scientific Journal (EJSO-the Journal of Cancer Surgery); partnering in specific projects and courses with other discipline and organ-based societies within ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation, of which ESSO is a founding member; contributing to the development of the surgical oncology programme of the European Cancer Congress; providing an attractive fellowship programme facilitating exchange of knowledge and continuing medical education; offering specific opportunities for young cancer surgeons and cancer surgeons from developing countries to attend the ESSO Congress; organising yearly, in co-operation with the European Board of Surgery, an examination in surgical oncology and in breast cancer surgery certifying the competence necessary for the treatment of cancer patients; informing on educational and scientific opportunities via its newsletter and website; supporting quality assurance projects towards the improvement of cancer care for all patients in Europe.
