DM Pediatric Oncology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Eligibility Criteria, fee details

DM Pediatric Oncology or Doctorate of Medicine in Pediatric Oncology also known as DM in Pediatric Oncology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on the study of cancer in infants, children and adolescents.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include- Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology- Bangalore, Regional Cancer Centre- Thiruvanthapuram, Government Medical College- Aurangabad, and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counselling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing DM (Pediatric Oncology) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 7000 to Rs. 15,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year.

What is DM in Pediatric Oncology?

Doctorate of Medicine in Pediatric Oncology, also known as DM (Pediatric Oncology) or DM in (Pediatric Oncology) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Pediatric Oncology is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of cancer in infants, children and adolescents.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for DM in Pediatric Oncology.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of DMs in Pediatric Oncology.

The postgraduate students must gain ample of knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

The PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Pediatric Oncology would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of DM in Pediatric Oncology

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DM in Pediatric Oncology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:

• Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the MCI (Now NMC)/NBE.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

• The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DM in Pediatric Oncology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DM in Pediatric Oncology mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.

• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.

• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS
2. PGIMER, Chandigarh
3. JIPMER, Puducherry
4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of respective group, if they are willing to opt for a superspecialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.

• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.

• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those superspecialty subjects covered in said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DM in Pediatric Oncology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Pediatric Oncology is around Rs. 7000 to Rs. 15,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering DM in Pediatric Oncology

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing DM in (Pediatric Oncology).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering DM in (Pediatric Oncology) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A DM in Pediatric Oncology is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Pediatric Oncology.

The course content for DM in Pediatric Oncology is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

A. Cognitive domain (Knowledge domain)

During the course, the student should be imparted and acquire learning in the following specific knowledge domains:

• BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER

• Epidemiology of childhood Cancer

• Childhood Cancer and heredity

• Molecular and genetic basis of childhood Cancer

• Biology of childhood Cancer

• Tumor immunology and pediatric Cancer

• DIAGNOSIS AND EVALUATION OF THE CHILD WITH CANCER

o Clinical assessment and differential diagnosis of the child with suspected Cancer

o Pathology and molecular diagnosis of Leukemias and Lymphomas

o Diagnostic pathology of pediatric malignancies

o Imaging studies in the diagnosis and management of pediatric malignancies

• PRINCIPLES OF MULTIMODAL THERAPY

o General principles of chemotherapy

o General principles of surgery

o Principles of Radiation Oncology

o Infants and adolescents with cancer: special considerations

o Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Oncology

o Cancer Clinical Trials: Design, Conduct, Analysis, and Reporting

o Regulating patient safety in cancer treatment

o Cell and Gene therapies – Role in Pediatric Oncology

o Evolving targeted molecular therapies and biotherapeutics

• MANAGEMENT OF COMMON CANCERS OF CHILDHOOD

o Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

o Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

o Chronic Leukemias of childhood

o Myeloproliferative and Myelodysplastic Disorders

o Hodgkin lymphoma

o Malignant Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas in children

o Lymphoproliferative disorders and malignancies related to immunodeficiencies

o Histiocytoses

o Tumors of the Central Nervous System

o Retinoblastoma

o Tumors of the liver

o Renal tumors

o Neuroblastoma

o Rhabdomyosarcoma and the undifferentiated Sarcomas

o Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors: Ewing Sarcoma of bone and soft tissue and the peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors

o Non-rhabdomyosarcomatous Soft Tissue Sarcomas

o Osteosarcoma

o Germ Cell Tumors

o Endocrine tumors

o Management of infrequent cancers of childhood

• SUPPORTIVE CARE OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER

o Oncologic emergencies

o Tumour Lysis Syndrome

o Hematologic supportive care for children with cancer

o Infectious complications in Pediatric Cancer patients

o Nutritional Supportive Care

o Symptom Management in Supportive Care

o Nursing support of the child with cancer

o Rehabilitation of the child with cancer

o Psychiatric and psychosocial support for the child and family

o The Other Side of the Bed: what caregivers can learn from listening to patients and their families

o Ethical considerations in Pediatric Oncology

• OTHER ISSUES ARISING AT DIAGNOSIS, DURING TREATMENT, AND AFTER CESSATION OF THERAPY

o Late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment

o Educational issues for children with cancer

o Palliative care for the child with advanced cancer

o Financial Issues in Pediatric Cancer

o Pediatric Cancer: advocacy, insurance, education, and employment

o Complementary and alternative medical therapies in Pediatric Oncology

o Pediatric Oncology in countries with limited resources

o Preventing Cancer in adulthood: advice for the pediatrician

o Resources for children with cancer, their families, and physicians

o Role of Telemedicine in Pediatric Cancer Care

• HEMATOPOEITIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION (HSCT)

o Indications for HSCT and HLA typing

o Principles of:

o Donor selection

o Donor counseling

o Conditioning regimens/stem cell manipulation/ immuno- suppression

o Transplant immunology

o Graft versus host disease

o Other complications

o Supportive care

o Long term follow up and late effects

• LABORATORY TRAINING

• Interpretation of peripheral blood and bone marrow aspiration smears.

• Basic knowledge of bone marrow biopsy and solid tumor histopathology.

• CSF cytology

• Cytochemistry/Immunohistochemistry

• Flow cytometry & immunophenotyping

• Cytogenetics/Molecular diagnosis

• Coagulation

• Blood Transfusion & Component therapy

• Principles of infection control [microbiology]

B. Affective domain (Attitudes including Communication and Professionalism)

The post graduate student at the end of the course should know and be able to manage:

• Educational issues for children with cancer

• Financial issues in pediatric cancer

• Pediatric cancer: Advocacy, insurance, education and employment

• Complementary and alternative medical therapies in Pediatric Oncology

• Pediatric oncology in countries with limited resources

• Preventing cancer in adulthood: advice for paediatrician

• Resources for children with cancer, their families and physician

• Role of telemedicine in pediatric cancer care

C. Psychomotor Domain

At the end of the course, the student should acquire following skills and be able to perform independently the following techniques/procedures:

• Generic training in practical skills

o Optimal use of diagnostic services

o Ensuring good clinical practice

o Recognition of a critically ill child and the need for high dependency care/ICU

o Central venous access and care

o Bone marrow aspiration, lumber puncture, peritoneal and pleural fluid aspiration, nasogastric tube insertion, etc.

o Chemotherapy drug handling, administration & management of acute side effects including intrathecal and intracavitory chemotherapy.

o Care of infants and adolescents

o Late effects monitoring and survivorship issues

o Pain evaluation & management

o Palliative care

Career Options

After completing a DM in Pediatric Oncology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Pediatric Oncology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Pediatric Oncology), Pediatric Oncology Specialist.

Courses After DM in Pediatric Oncology Course

DM in Pediatric Oncology is a specialisation course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DM in Pediatric Oncology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE, where DM in Pediatric Oncology is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) –DM in Pediatric Oncology Course

Question: What is the full form of DM?

Answer: The full form of DM is a Doctorate of Medicine.

Question: What is a DM in Pediatric Oncology?

Answer: DM Pediatric Oncology or Doctorate of Medicine in Pediatric Oncology also known as DM in Pediatric Oncology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Question: What is the duration of a DM in Pediatric Oncology?

Answer: DM in Pediatric Oncology is a super specialty programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DM in Pediatric Oncology?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Question: What is the scope of a DM in Pediatric Oncology?

Answer: DM in Pediatric Oncology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DM in Pediatric Oncology candidate?

Answer: The DM in Pediatric Oncology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DM Course?

Answer: Yes, candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing DM course.