Incurable Cancers

Third-cycle level | 1.5 credits (HEC) | Course code: H9F5520

Course description

This course is designed for PhD students and junior postdocs eager to connect their knowledge of tumor biology with the real-world challenges of clinical oncology. Participants will learn about the clinical characteristics of cancers that are notoriously difficult to treat, including those of the lung, pancreas, esophagus, and liver. The course begins with a historical overview of treatment attempts for these cancers and explores the reasons why achieving significant breakthroughs has been challenging.

A significant part of the course will highlight recent innovations that have led to major improvements in the treatment of previously 'incurable cancers.' Through the integration of molecular tumor biology and clinical practice, the course encourages students to pursue novel strategies for combating these diseases.

The curriculum is primarily seminar-based but uniquely offers opportunities for hands-on clinical experience. This can include shadowing oncologists in hospital wards or outpatient clinics and observing robot-assisted surgeries in the operating theater at Karolinska Huddinge. Clinical placements are tailored to each student's interests and subject to the availability at the time of the course.

Classes and activities primarily take place at Karolinska's Huddinge/Flemingsberg campus

Prerequisites and Selection

Prerequisite courses, or equivalent

Recommended: Basic course in tumor biology and oncology, or similar.

Selection

Selection will be based on:  
1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant’s doctoral project (according to written motivation). 
2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date). 

Course director

Marco Gerling

Course syllabus

H9F5520

Department

Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology

Doctoral programme

Tumour Biology and Oncology (FoTO)

Type of course

**Other course

Keywords

cancer, immunotherapy, pancreatic cancer, metastases

CONTACTMarco Gerling

marco.gerling@ki.se