European School of Oncology: 20 years of cancer education and a contribution to European Guidelines of Oncology.

Since its creation in 1982, the European School of Oncology (ESO) not only looks back on two successful decades of cancer education and active promotion of knowledge and provision of oncology training in almost all parts of the world, but also the establishment of the State-of-the-Art (START) European oncology guidelines, a free, Internet-based, and readily accessible program of evidence-based medicine. In addition, ESO has been at the forefront of various activities which have led to the evolution of a common Continuing Medical Education system in Europe. A special framework to support the training of health care providers in underdeveloped countries was also launched by ESO. On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, ESO reflects on the past, defines the status quo and presents its future prospects.