Cancer patients need confidence that their surgeon understands cancer and all treatment options, as well as having technical expertise in the often complex procedure they will be performing. Training and certification should play a central role in ensuring high standards, but getting agreement on a harmonised approach in Europe faces obstacles.

Undertreating or overtreating? Given that older patients are heavily under-represented in clinical trials, it can be hard to know. A major UK study was set up in 2012 to generate evidence and tools to improve decision making and outcomes specifically in elderly breast cancer patients. Alberto Costa asked Lynda Wyld, Chief Investigator of the ‘Bridging the Age Gap’ study, about what they found, and the implications for clinical practice.

European pediatric oncology has undergone remarkable transformation since the early 2000s, building on foundations laid by pioneers like Odile Schweisguth who established the first dedicated childhood cancer service in the late 1940s.