European Board Certification
The FEBS-ECS is the European fellowship in oesophagogastric (upper GI) cancer surgery. This guide covers the exam, its format, eligibility, the topics and trials tested, and how to prepare.
FEBS-ECS is the Fellowship of the European Board of Surgery in Oesophagogastric Cancer Surgery, issued by the UEMS Section of Surgery in partnership with the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE). It certifies subspecialty competency in upper gastrointestinal surgical oncology.
The examination provides a harmonised European standard across oesophageal and gastric cancer, GIST and benign oesophagogastric disease, tested in written and oral components.
Part 1 — Written Examination
Part 2 — Oral / Viva Examination
Oesophageal Cancer
Staging, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and oesophagectomy technique.
Gastric Cancer
D2 gastrectomy, perioperative chemotherapy and lymphadenectomy extent.
GIST
Risk stratification (NIH/AFIP), imatinib thresholds and surgical margins.
Junctional Tumours
Siewert classification and its impact on surgical strategy.
Benign Oesophagogastric
Reflux, achalasia and hiatal disease management.
Multimodal Treatment
CROSS and FLOT evidence integration into treatment pathways.
The FEBS-ECS examination is held annually through the UEMS Section of Surgery. Applications open in advance of each sitting; confirm the current schedule, fees and eligibility with UEMS and ISDE.
FEBS-ECS is the recognised European subspecialty credential in upper GI cancer surgery, referenced by high-volume oesophagogastric units across Europe.
Preparation requires knowing the landmark trials verbatim and integrating them into multidisciplinary pathways — exactly the reasoning examiners assess.
Know the CROSS and FLOT trial data verbatim, the Siewert classification that drives surgical strategy, and GIST risk stratification with adjuvant imatinib thresholds. Practise timed upper GI questions and rehearse structured case reasoning for the oral component.
SurgBoardsQ&A provides more than 1,300 oesophagogastric practice questions mapped to the FEBS-ECS syllabus, each with a detailed, guideline-referenced explanation.
The exam covers oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and other rare upper GI tumours, and benign oesophagogastric disease.
Yes — start with 50 free upper GI surgery practice questions, no credit card required.
SurgBoardsQ&A provides 1,300+ practice questions mapped to the exam syllabus, each with a detailed explanation and guideline citation.
Start practising
50 questions free, no credit card required. Filter by board, topic, or difficulty. Explanations cite ESMO and NCCN.