This report originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News

One of health care's most prestigious meetings will take place this year from November 1st through the 5th. The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will hold its 51st Annual Meeting at McCormick Place West in Chicago. The event will offer extensive educational opportunities for radiation oncology specialists through a variety of sessions, review courses and keynote addresses presented by experts from around the globe.

The theme of this year's meeting is "Radiation Oncology in 2020." The future of oncology focusing on innovative technology and the merging of new boundaries in radiation biology will be discussed. The conference is designed to promote interdisciplinary joint ventures and collaboration as physics; biology, molecular medicine, and clinical radiation oncology go forward and come together over time into one integrated discipline.
"The Scientific Program will be, as would be expected, second to none. We will have the results of more than 1,000 research studies presented, 18 panel discussions and three keynote addresses, specifically tailored to predicting the future of oncology," said Tim R. Williams, M.D., ASTRO president. Dr. Williams also revealed information about a new format to be introduced this year, with multiple presenters located in front of plasma screens and laptops around a room to demonstrate their projects and discuss their work with participants. "All sessions start at the much more reasonable time of 8:00 a.m., instead of 7:00 a.m.," he added.

Dr. Williams explained the Presidential Course, planned for Sunday, November 1st, is designed to explore fresh horizons for the specialty, focusing on the development of new and innovative technology and predicting how these advances will change clinical oncology. "The moderators, all of whom are leaders in their areas of research, will review such topics as the future of gene therapy, molecular targeted radiation oncology, the coming revolution of oncology imaging and the future of radiation oncology training and education. Each session will conclude with a collective prediction of how these changes will affect the clinical practice of radiation oncology by 2020," stated Williams.

In addition to the Presidential Course and Scientific Program, the conference will offer the finest learning experiences regarding specific focus on a variety of cancers including breast, lung, pediatric, gastrointestinal gynecological, head and neck, pediatric, genitourinary, central nervous system and sarcomas.

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