Cancer incidence increases each year in Europe and the role of surgeons to diagnose and treat patients with cancer is pivotal. In Europe many cancer surgeons are organised in the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO). Surgical oncology covers the treatment of solid tumours of the oro-eosophago-gastrointestinal tract, of parenchymal and endocrine organs and of skin, mesenchymal, neurogenic, bone and soft tissues. Surgical oncology also includes prevention, genetic counselling, specific diagnostic and staging procedures, rehabilitation and follow-up care. Surgical oncology is focused on multimodality therapy. For appropriate education in surgical oncology, a surgeon must work in a multidisciplinary environment. Many cancer centers and surgical departments within Europe provide good cancer care. However, no common criteria to become a teaching unit in surgical oncology have been defined. Furthermore, we do not have a system for validation and accreditation of their teaching capability. Therefore, ESSO proposes a core curriculum for the specialist training in surgical oncology in Europe.