ESAGON International is built on a collaboration between leading European institutions with extensive experience in gynecologic oncology and advanced ovarian cancer surgery.

Milan – European Institute of Oncology (IEO)
A high-volume comprehensive cancer centre with over three decades of experience in oncologic surgery and the birthplace of ESAGON.

Faculty 

Angelo Maggioni
Co-Director of the Gynecology Programme 

Roberto Biffi
Director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Surgery Unit

For information related to the Milan centre, please contact:
esagon@ieo.it

Essen – Kliniken Essen-Mitte 
An internationally recognized centre with a strong clinical and academic focus on gynecologic oncology and complex surgical management.

Faculty 

Philipp Harter
Clinic Director
Department of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology

Pier Francesco Alesina
Director
Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery

For information related to the Essen centre, please contact:
Angelika Backhaus-Lubs
Email: a.backhaus-lubs@kem-med.com
Phone: +49 201 174 3400

London – Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
A leading academic institution integrating clinical excellence, research, and innovation within a major European healthcare system. The program is structured as an observership,

Faculty 

Christina Fotopoulou
Gynaecological Cancer Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer
Deputy Director of Ovarian Cancer Action Research

For information related to the London centre, please contact:
chfotopoulou@gmail.com

Each centre contributes to the programme with its specific expertise, offering participants exposure to different clinical environments, surgical approaches, and organizational models.

The ESAGON International Training Programme is a structured and immersive international educational pathway designed for surgeons seeking advanced training in the surgical management of advanced ovarian cancer and complex abdomino-pelvic procedures.

The programme is limited to a selected number of participants to ensure a high level of interaction, direct mentorship, and meaningful clinical exposure. It is designed as an individual training programme, representing a significant added value through personalized learning and professional development.

The program will be conducted on an individual basis to allow for more personalized attention to each participant.

Programme Structure

Participants may choose between two training pathways:

Option A – Milan Programme

-Up to 6 weeks at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan.

Option B – Multi-Centre European Programme

-4 weeks at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan

-Followed by 2 weeks at one partner centre: Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany, or Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.

This structure allows participants to tailor their educational experience according to their learning objectives while benefiting from exposure to different clinical environments, surgical philosophies, and healthcare systems across Europe.

Training Approach

The programme is based on a progressive model of surgical education, integrating:

-High-volume clinical exposure

-Open, Laparoscopic and Robotic surgical approches

-Step-by-step understanding of complex surgical procedures

-Multidisciplinary decision-making

-Direct and continuous interaction with expert faculty

-Pre operative strategy and post operative outcomes evaluation

-Ongoing: video - based surgical education and case review

-Particular emphasis is placed on advanced ovarian cancer surgery, which   is used as a reference model to develop surgical strategy, anatomical understanding, and clinical judgment applicable to complex oncologic scenarios.

Admissions & Fee

€3.600 per year (22% VAT not included)

It is not included:

-Travel expenses to the Milan and other countries 

-Accommodation

-Dining facilities 

-Ground transportation in Milan and other countries 

Extras: Participants may also choose (by paying an additional fee) to attend our “ESAGON Dissection Lab Course - Advanced Surgery” at a cost of €2,350 + 22% VAT. A discounted fee of €1,250 + 22% VAT is reserved for ESAGON participants.

Educational Focus

The programme aims to develop:

-Technical proficiency in complex oncologic procedures

-Advanced anatomical mastery of the abdomino-pelvic region

-Surgical judgment and decision-making skills

-Understanding of indication and patient selection for different surgical approches

-Ongoing: ability to analyse and discuss surgical procedures using recorded operative material

Learning Experience

Participants are actively engaged in a structured clinical and educational pathway that includes:

-Observation in digital integrated operating room combined with in-depth case discussion

-Preoperative planning and postoperative outcome analysis

-Participation in multidisciplinary tumour boards

-Structured educational and teaching sessions with expert faculty

Participation in surgical activity is primarily observational. Any level of active involvement, such as scrub-in or intraoperative assistance, may vary depending on the hosting institution and applicable local regulations. Participants do not perform operative roles.

The programme is specifically designed to offer a holistic view of how complex oncologic surgery is planned, executed, and evaluated, allowing participants to refine their clinical reasoning, surgical judgment, and strategic approach in high-complexity oncologic settings.