ASTROnews: Thoracic symposium provides opportunity for networking, education; community practitioners encouraged to attend

The 2010 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology will be held at the Hilton Chicago Hotel December 9-11, 2010. ASTRO is a co-sponsor of the symposium, bringing together radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, residents/fellows and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment, screening, evaluation and management of thoracic cancers.

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat lung cancer patients often in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery. The use of radiation therapy in lung cancer, notably stereotactic body radiosurgery for early stage lung cancer patients, is on the rise, meaning radiation oncologists are playing an increased role in the multimodality treatment of thoracic malignancies. The Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium provides radiation oncologists with the venue to learn about the latest innovations in thoracic malignancies. Interaction with surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and other healthcare professionals in a multidisciplinary meeting also promotes communication across specialties to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.

A prestigious international faculty has been assembled to promote dialogue on topics such as high-tech therapies, new approaches in staging, chemoradiotherapy, the development of biomarkers, novel surgical approaches and new drug developments related to thoracic cancers. All of these topics represent areas that will affect the radiation oncologist’s role in patients with thoracic malignancies. There is a particular focus on case presentations
and providing “real world” practical information that can assist in the treatment of our patients. During the course of the three-day meeting, registrants will have an opportunity to attend educational sessions and view the latest clinical and research findings in both formal and informal oral and poster sessions. One session will be devoted to residents and fellows and will focus on general career development and networking.

The abstract submission site for the meeting opened May 5, 2010, and closes on July 14, 2010. Abstracts will be accepted for oral and poster viewing sessions. We encourage you to submit an abstract for the symposium in one of the following topic areas:  small cell lung cancer, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma and other thoracic malignancies, novel therapies/experimental therapies, supportive care/outcomes, and prevention/screening. Late-breaking abstracts will be accepted September 8, 2010, through October 6, 2010. The research is limited to highly significant and timely findings that were not available at the time of the regular abstract deadline.

A limited number of abstract awards are available for this symposium. ASTRO will award $1,000 for domestic and international travel. Application for abstract awards is part of the abstract submission process, and the deadline is July 14, 2010.

Please join us at the Chicago Hilton from December 9-11, 2010, for The Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.

For more information, visit www.thoracicsymposium.org.

Dr. Hahn is a professor and chair of radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and past chair of the symposium program committee.