The 14th International Symposium on Regional Cancer Therapies took place February 16 – 18, 2019 in Phoenix, AZ. SSO welcomed 197 surgical and industry oncology professionals to the meeting, an increase over last year’s event. The atmosphere was charged with energy, elevated by the high level of research, the excellence of the presenters and panels, and the real opportunity to connect with colleagues.
The three-day program was designed to cover the most recent advances in cancer therapy that are primarily of a regional focus, such as gastrointestinal, intraperitoneal, hepatic, ovarian and thoracic cancers. Several surgical oncologists from around the world were invited to present innovative approaches to challenging cancer treatment scenarios. The call for abstracts received over 120 submissions, resulting in 42 oral abstracts and 54 ePosters presented.
The Gabriella Graham award recipient was the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA). Chad Ramsey, Vice President of Policy, was invited to the meeting to accept the award on their behalf during the Saturday reception. The mission of the OCRA is to ensure access and availability to high quality treatment and care; promote a strong commitment to research and education funding and protect patient safety in the era of precision medicine and advanced diagnostics.
The Appendix Cancer/PMP Research Foundation (ACPMP) partnered with SSO to award three $1,000 travel grants to top oral abstract presenters presenting on the topics of PMP and appendix cancer. The following are the award recipients:
- Forrest Williard, BS, UTHSC College of Medicine, Memphis, TN for PM2: Peritoneal Metastases have a Distinct Molecular Profile from Primary Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
- Eliahu Bekhor, MD, Icahn Medical School of Mount Sinai, New York, NY for PM13: Surveillance of Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms with Peritoneal Metastases After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Are 5 Years Enough? A Multisite Experience
- Marian Khalili, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA for AR2: Slippery Nanoparticles as a Diffusion Platform for Mucin Producing Gastrointestinal Tumors
Save the date for the 15th International Symposium on Regional Cancer Therapies, February 15 – 17, 2019 in Orlando, FL. The call for abstracts will open this summer.