Apr
The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has received a record number of abstract submissions for the scientific program to be held at its 50th Annual Meeting taking place September 21-25, 2008, in Boston.
A total of 2,036 abstracts were received, which is almost 400 more than the amount received in 2007, with submissions in all three of the main categories of abstracts increasing. The number of clinical abstracts rose from 1,205 to 1,301, biology abstracts increased from 156 to 178 and physics abstracts increased from 312 to 556.
The number of submissions from overseas was also up this year. ASTRO received 240 abstracts from Europe, compared to 187 in 2007, and 312 from Asia, compared to 240 last year.
“I’m thrilled that ASTRO has broken yet another record for abstract submissions and that as a result the process for selecting the top abstracts is becoming more and more competitive,” said Patricia J. Eifel, M.D., FASTRO, ASTRO president and a professor of radiation oncology at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “The number of abstracts submitted this year is a testament to how well-respected the ASTRO Annual Meeting is among medical professionals working in the field of oncology.”
The ASTRO Annual Meeting is the premier scientific meeting in radiation oncology and attracts more than 11,000 oncologists of all disciplines, physicists, biologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals from all over the world. The theme of this year’s meeting is “50 Years of Learning, Caring and Collaboration in the Treatment of Cancer Patients” and will highlight the accomplishments of ASTRO’s past, while addressing lessons learned in radiation oncology and goals for the future of the specialty.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with 9,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy.
The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology