Master of Surgery in Surgical Oncology is a three-year full-time post graduation program, designed for aspirants interested in learning about the surgical management and treatment of tumours. The course focuses on the diagnosis, biopsy and treatment of all types of cancer, in order to improve the procedure outcome and chances of survival.
The basic qualification required for the pursuance of the course is to have an MD/MS/DNB degree or equivalent from a university recognized by Medical Council of India (MCI). Admission to eligible candidates is provided based on their accomplishment in the last qualifying exam and relevant entrance tests like:
In India, the average tuition fee charged for the course ranges anywhere between INR 1 and 6 Lakhs, depending upon the institute offering the course.
Top Institutes offering this course are:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
- Madras Medical College (MMC)
- Christian Medical College (CMC)
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
- Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)
After successful completion of the course, one can find job opportunities in various government and private hospitals, Research Centers, Educational Institutes, Private Clinics, Healthcare Centers, NGOs, etc. were at an initial level, they can get an average salary ranging between INR 3 and 10 Lakhs, depending on candidate’s expertise in the field.
M. Ch. in Surgical Oncology: Course Highlights
Some of the major highlights of the course are tabulated below:
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | Three Years |
| Minimum Qualification Required | A Master’s degree in MS/DNB or equivalent. |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Admission Procedure | Counseling after taking Entrance Exam |
| Total Course Fee | INR 1 Lakh to 6 Lakhs |
| Top Recruiting Areas/Fields | Research Institutes, Medical Colleges, Government Hospitals, Military Health care Services, Medical Labs, Private Hospitals, Healthcare Institutions, Private Clinic, etc. |
| Job Positions | Surgical Oncologist, National Consultant, Technical Assistant, Senior Medical Advisor, Research Associate, Junior Research Scientist, Lecturer, Professor, Associate Lecturer, etc. |
| Average Initial Annual Salary | INR 3 Lac to 12 Lac |
| Major Entrance Examinations | NEET SS, AIIMS PG, PGIMER Entrance Exam, CMC Vellore PG, JIPMER PG, UPSEE, etc. |
M. Ch. in Surgical Oncology: What is it about?
Surgical Oncology is a specialty branch of medical science, which focuses on the treatment of cancers and various types of tumors by surgically removing the cancer/tumor from the patient’s body.
Candidates interested in learning more about the field can also pursue higher degree courses like Ph. D. and other research related studies and contribute to the Research and Development (R&D) and the society by eliminating cancer.
The program equips candidates with the knowledge about all the aspects of cancer care. During the course, they learn about the basic principles in Oncology, clinical practice of Surgical Oncology and all the latest development in radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, on the basis of which they give recommendations. They also learn about various types of cancers and tumors and about all the surgical methods that they have to keep in mind while performing a surgery.
One of the major objectives of the course is to produce doctors who are highly efficient and capable of offering the best surgical treatment to enable the patients to get out of their cancer successfully and also to pursue higher degree courses in the discipline. The course’s curriculum integrates theoretical and practical components of the study. Area and involves intensive study, culminating with the completion of a research-based dissertation.
M. Ch. in Surgical Oncology: Top Institutes
In India, all most all the medical colleges and institutes offer the course in Surgical Oncology, but only a few of them are considered to be good for the pursuance of the course. Names of some such colleges are listed below along with their corresponding location (city) and fee charged by each (annually).
Eligibility for M. Ch. in Surgical Oncology
Mentioned below are the minimum qualifications that are required to be fulfilled by any candidate aspiring to pursue the course, in order to be eligible to apply for the course.
A minimum aggregate score of 55% or equivalent CGPA is required at the level of post-graduation, which should be completed from a university recognized by Medical Council of India (MCI). All SC/ST candidates are given a relaxation of 5% in the minimum aggregate criteria.
Post-graduation should be completed in MS/MD/DNB or any other equivalent degree in a relevant discipline.
Candidates waiting for their final year examination’s result are welcomed too, but admission to such candidates will be given on provisional basis until they satisfy all the mentioned eligibility criteria.
Also, candidates should have completed a 1- year compulsory rotating internship after passing the final professional examination in the surgical field.
M. Ch. in Surgical Oncology: Admission Procedure
Most of the medical colleges and institutes offering a Master’s degree in Surgical Oncology admit candidates on the basis of their performance in a relevant entrance test, conducted either at National level (NEET SS) or at institutional level. Students who have secured the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET SS) or any other equivalent exam are eligible for the counselling process.
As a part of counseling, candidates have to clear two more additional rounds of group discussion and personal interview, wherein their general aptitude and knowledge for the course are examined by highly qualified and experienced faculty members. Each university then releases a merit list allocating available seats to the most deserving candidates.
Listed below are some of the major entrance examinations conducted in the country for admission to the respective course:
- NEET SS (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for Super Specialty Courses
- AIIMS PG (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Post Graduate Entrance Exam
- CMC Vellore PG (CMC Vellore Post Graduate Entrance Exam)
- PGIMER Entrance Exam (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research)
- JIPMER PG (JIPMER Post Graduate Entrance Exam)
- UPSEE (Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Exam)
- AIPGMEE (All India Post Graduate Medical Entrance Exam)
M. Ch. In Surgical Oncology: Course Description
A semester-wise breakup of the course’s curriculum is given as follows:
| First Semester | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| Cancer Biology | Principles of Cancer Management |
| Essentials of Molecular Biology | Biochemistry of Cancer |
| Epidemiology | Cancer Chemotherapy |
| Environmental Health | Diet Chemoprevention |
| Third Semester | Fourth Semester |
| Tumor Immunology | Cancer Etiology |
| Trauma and Inflammations | Tumor Viruses & Hepatitis Viruses |
| Cancer Screening | Principles of Dose, Schedule and Combination |
| Seminar 1 | Seminar 2 |
| Fifth Semester | Sixth Semester |
| Cancer Diagnosis – Molecular Pathology and Cytology | Chemotherapeutic Agents |
| Specialized Techniques | Systemic Oncology |
| Toxicology by Organ System | Clinical Trials |
| Dissertation | Dissertation |
M. Ch. in Surgical Oncology: Career Prospects
Specialists in Surgical Oncologists are in great demand, due to the increase in the number of cases of cancers and tumors all over the world, and the current supply of efficient surgical oncologists being less. So such postgraduates can put a step forward and do a lot for the society and suffering people.
After successfully completing the course, one can work in various Government and Private Hospitals, NGOs, Medical Labs, Research Institutes, Medical Colleges, Healthcare Centers, etc. where they can expect a monthly pay of INR 30K to 50k in government sectors, and INR 30K to 80K in private sectors, which like most other careers is expected to increase with experience and expertise in the field.
Other than seeking for a job one can also opt for a teaching career and become a lecturer or professor in leading universities and medical colleges, and they can be self-employed by starting their own medical clinic or hospital, as it is a promising avenue.
Interested postgraduates may later pursue higher degree courses like Ph. D. (Doctorate of Philosophy) and other research related studies, for more knowledge in the field, better career options & salary packages.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are mentioned below with basic job responsibilities and salary associated to each:
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Salary (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Oncologists | A Surgical Oncologist performs standard as well as extraordinary surgical procedures required for patients with cancer and tumors. | INR 4 Lac to 15 Lac |
| Senior Medical Advisor | A Senior Medical Advisor supervises a medical service team of physicians/coordinators, reviews and follows up of all complex cases & medical records and acts as the final decision authority. | INR 4 Lac to 10 Lac |
| Technical Assistant | A Technical Assistant observes and records patients' conditions, assists with clinical duties and personal care including infection prevention and control, personal hygiene, comfort and safety. | INR 3 Lac to 9 Lac |
| Professor | A professor teaches and motivates students and keeps up with current research activities in their areas of expertise. | INR 3 Lac and 8 Lac |
| Research Associate | A Research Associate assists in carrying out a particular research agenda and develops plans for project or studies guidelines for project prepared by professional staff. | INR 3 Lac and 6 Lac |
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