Last update:
04-Apr-2017

OBJECTIVE To record and analyze the views of Greek gastroenterologists on the establishment of the subspecialty of digestive oncology, and to describe their opinions about the specific role of gastroenterologists in the diagnosis and management of patients with digestive malignancies, as well as their proposals on these matters.

METHOD A specially designed questionnaire covering all the parameters related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with digestive malignancy was distributed to Greek gastroenterologists, members of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology. Their various opinions and proposals were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS It appeared that Greek gastroenterologists dedicate quite a small part of their daily work to digestive oncology in comparison with their colleagues in other countries. Most of the respondents believed that the gastroenterologist should be an integral part of a multi-disciplinary oncological team devoted to managing the patient with digestive malignancy as a whole. They considered the establishment of the subspecialty of digestive oncology in Greece to be necessary.

CONCLUSIONS Most of the gastroenterologists in Greece agree with the necessity for the establishment of the subspecialty of digestive oncology. Their various proposals related to the appropriate training in digestive oncology and the ways of effectively applying the skills acquired during this training are analyzed.

Key words: Digestive oncology, Gastroenterologist-oncologist, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Training.