This two-day interactive course will prepare you with the knowledge and practical skills to provide the best medical and surgical care for your cancer patients. You will develop confidence to customize your approach to the individual patient after consideration of multiple factors (tumour type, location, patient, owner).

During the medical oncology day we will go through the differentials for cutaneous neoplasia, FNA and biopsy technigues to help get a diagnosis, and the cytological features of the main categories of cancer.

In addition, there will be the ins and outs of when (and when not) to administer common chemotherapy drugs, as well as the administration of these drugs safely.

The surgical practical cadaver sessions will be focused on skin tumour excision (obtaining desired margins) and wound closure techniques (primary closure, rotational and axial pattern flaps, reconstruction of the distal limb).

Of all the weapons against cancer, surgery is the most important (…at least if you ask a surgeon). Many of our veterinary cancer patients can expect a good prognosis, sometimes even a cure, with a well-planned initial surgery. Conversely, a poorly executed first surgery can have irreversible effects on prognosis.

Key Skills:

By the end of day 1 of the workshop, delegates will:

  • Develop an understanding of the differentials of cutaneous neoplasia
  • Practice using biopsy devices and closed chemotherapy administration system
  • Understand the do’s and don’t of using several chemotherapy drugs

By the end of day 2 of the workshop, delegates will have gained:

  • A better understanding of skin and subcutaneous tumours in order to develop and execute a surgical treatment plan from diagnosis, tumour excision and wound reconstruction
  • Technical skills for surgical oncology and wound reconstruction (identifying tissue planes, primary closure, skin flaps, skin grafts, amputations, rostral mandibulectomy)
  • Knowledge about new updates on surgically managed cancers – osteosarcoma, oral tumours, skin tumours, urinary tract & prostate tumours biomaterials for surgery.

Tristram Bennett

BVSc (distinction), MANZCVS (surgery), DACVS-SA, dipl ECVS Surgical Specialist

Tristram is a surgical specialist/surgical oncologist based at SASH in Sydney. He graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 2010 and spent a number of years in general small animal practice before he completed his American College of Veterinary Surgeons residency at Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre. Tristram then undertook a Fellowship Surgical Oncology at Colorado State University. He has been working as a surgeon at SASH in Sydney since 2017.

Tristram has a keen interest in all aspects of surgery especially soft tissue and oncology surgery.

Dr Sandra Nguyen

BVSc (Hons I) DipACVIM (Onc) MANZCVS 

After graduating from the University of Sydney, Sandra worked as an associate veterinarian at Gladesville Veterinary Hospital. Sandra went on to complete her residency in Medical Oncology at Cornell University, and while there won the Veterinary Resident Award for dedication to veterinary student training and service to patients and clients. She achieved Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Oncology in 2010.

She gained a position on faculty at The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor in Oncology and Hematology. Sandra now works at SASH in Sydney and is the Hospital Director of SASH WS. Sandra has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications in the veterinary scientific literature, and has presented her research and published abstracts and proceedings at the American association for Cancer Research and the Veterinary Cancer Society Annual Conference.

At The Ohio State University Sandra was heavily involved in clinical trials involving innovative new treatments for pets with cancer. Sandra has undergone special training in communication, and she is particularly interested in end of life care for pets with cancer and the impact that communication surrounding euthanasia has on pet owners’ grief. Sandra enjoys learning, training and teaching – both inducing and experiencing those ‘aha’ moments we all have.

Medical and Surgical Oncology Two Day Workshop NSW