ASTRO-Program Description/Statement of Need

Article Outline

• Statement of Need
• Program Description and Objectives
• Who should Attend

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Statement of Need 

Advances in the applications, technologies and methodologies of radiation oncology continue to evolve rapidly, creating a need for continual learning.

The 2009 Annual Meeting Scientific Program is designed to disseminate new scientific findings and technical innovations, and expand basic knowledge relevant to clinical practice and to the improvement of patient outcomes.

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Program Description and Objectives 

The educational elements of this program are targeted at oncologists of all disciplines, physicists, biologists, nurses, therapists and other professionals involved in radiation therapy. Attendees will receive state-of-the-art practice information relating to radiation, surgical and medical oncology. Embracing the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care is essential to quality care. Research presented from medical and surgical oncologists, pathologists and allied professionals will enhance the interdisciplinary nature of the program. The program will include presentations on standard, investigational and experimental therapeutics, image guided radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, treatment planning, alternative fractionation, emerging technologies, and molecular and radiation biology. Specific clinical areas include breast, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecological, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, musculoskeletal, pediatric and thoracic cancers. Healthcare policy and survivorship issues will also be addressed.

These topics are presented in a combination of educational sessions, panel discussions, proffered papers and posters. Educational sessions provide attendees with an essential review of timely topics. Panel discussions emphasize current controversies. Proffered papers and poster presentations represent new research findings. This combination provides complementary coverage of a broad range of topics relevant to radiation oncology and members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team.

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Who should Attend 

This continuing medical education activity is designed to meet the interest of radiation oncologists, radiation oncology residents, radiation biologists, radiation physicists, dosimetrists, oncologists working in related specialties, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nurses, radiation oncology administrators and all other health professionals involved in the field of radiation oncology.