ABS-CGSO
USAmerican Board of Surgery – Complex General Surgical Oncology
Exam Overview
Exam Overview
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Current certification or eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS)
Completion of an ACGME-accredited or equivalent fellowship in surgical oncology (minimum 1 year)
Active surgical practice including oncologic cases
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) participation if previously certified
Exam Syllabus & Content Areas
Exam Syllabus & Content Areas
Recommended Resources
Recommended Resources
DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology
BookCameron's Current Surgical Therapy
BookSabiston Textbook of Surgery
BookAnnals of Surgical Oncology — landmark studies
GuidelineBoardsQA Coverage
BoardsQA Coverage
6-Month Preparation Timeline
6-Month Preparation Timeline
Month 1
Breast oncology fundamentals: staging, operative techniques, systemic therapy context, sentinel node
Month 2
Melanoma, skin cancer (BCC, SCC, MCC), soft tissue sarcoma — staging, margins, SLNB
Month 3
Colorectal and anal canal cancer: TME principles, laparoscopic/robotic approach, neoadjuvant protocols
Month 4
HPB: liver resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy, biliary surgery, portal hypertension
Month 5
Peritoneal malignancy (PMP, MPM), gastric cancer, HIPEC/CRS, upper GI oncology
Month 6
Endocrine oncology: thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, NETs; full-length mock exams and weak-area review
Board information is updated regularly. Always verify with the official certifying body.