Join over 3,000 surgical oncologists worldwide.
The Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) is dedicated to improving multidisciplinary patient care by advancing the science, education, and practice of cancer surgery worldwide.
The Professional Home for Cancer Surgeons Worldwide
Cancer surgeons from around the world have joined the SSO community to advance their knowledge and remain on the leading edge of research and science. Being an SSO member signals your commitment to the highest standards for surgical oncology. It also delivers benefits that keep you growing, advancing and attaining greater satisfaction with your performance and your career.
SSO members gain valuable support to help them strengthen their performance and professionalism throughout their careers. Specifically, SSO enables members to:
- Stay on the leading edge of research and practice
- Integrate the highest quality standards into their practices
- Connect and collaborate with peers and experts worldwide
- Enhance their professional reputation
- Deliver the best surgical cancer care to patients
- Contribute toward advancing the profession
- Effectively participate and lead care delivered by multidisciplinary teams
- Gain insight into practice-changing trends and innovations
Membership Categories
Qualifications: Active Membership in The Society is limited to physicians and other scientists who have a major professional interest and commitment to oncology, as demonstrated by a combination of the following activities:
1. Criteria for Surgeons:
1A. Certification by the American Board of Surgery or an equivalent surgical specialty Board or membership in a recognized national or international surgical or surgical oncologic society.
1B.Evidence of continuing commitment to Surgical Oncology as demonstrated by such activities as:
• Oncologic teaching or research.
• Involvement in activities of the American Cancer Society.
• Involvement in activities of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
• A leadership role in hospital or community cancer activities.
• Authorship of publications on topics pertaining to Oncology in peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Membership in other oncologic societies.
2. Non-Surgical Oncologists: Must be an acknowledged expert in a non-surgical field who has made significant contributions to Surgical Oncology or any scientist with a doctoral level degree, not in clinical practice, doing research in cancer or a cancer-related field.
Dues Rate –
Active Members – (US) – $595*
(A one-time $150 non-refundable initiation fee is also required with the application.)
*Includes a subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.
Qualifications: Active Membership in The Society is limited to physicians and other scientists who have a major professional interest and commitment to oncology, as demonstrated by a combination of the following activities:
1. Criteria for Surgeons:
1A. Certification by the American Board of Surgery or an equivalent surgical specialty Board or membership in a recognized national or international surgical or surgical oncologic society.
1B. Evidence of continuing commitment to Surgical Oncology as demonstrated by such activities as:
• Oncologic teaching or research.
• Involvement in activities of the American Cancer Society.
• Involvement in activities of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
• A leadership role in hospital or community cancer activities.
• Authorship of publications on topics pertaining to Oncology in peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Membership in other oncologic societies.
2. Non-Surgical Oncologists:
• Must be an acknowledged expert in a non-surgical field who has made significant contributions to Surgical Oncology or any scientist with a doctoral level degree, not in clinical practice, doing research in cancer or a cancer-related field.
Dues Rate –
Active International Members:
• High-Income Countries – $345*
• Middle-Income and Low-Income Countries – $207*
(Reduced dues rate based on World Bank Classification.)
*Includes a subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.
Qualifications: Associate Membership in The Society shall be limited to any non-physician health care provider (e.g., nurse clinician, physician assistant) who is involved in surgical oncology patient care.
1. Rights: An Associate Member shall have the right to attend, participate in and submit abstracts for presentation at meetings of The Society.
2. Recommendations for Associate Membership: An applicant must be proposed for membership by either an Active or Senior Member in good standing, along with one seconder who must also be either an Active or Senior Member in good standing.
Dues Rate –
Associate Members – $445*
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.
Qualifications: Membership in the Candidate Group in The Society is limited to surgical trainees or surgeons who meet ABS requirements for certification or hold membership in a recognized international surgical or surgical oncologic society, and who meet one of the following:
1. Must be in training, in a fellowship training program; or
2. Must have completed their surgical training, but have not yet become Board-Certified.
3. If elected, the candidate member may remain in the Candidate Group for up to two (2) years post fellowship. After that time, the Candidate will advance to Active Membership.
For 2 above, an applicant must submit a completed membership application along with a letter of recommendation from the training program director of the applicant’s career interest in oncology.
A Candidate Member shall have the right to attend, participate in and submit abstracts for presentation at meetings of The Society, and the right to serve on a committee as appointed by the President of the Society.
Dues Rate –
Candidate Members (Fellow-in-training) – $150*
Candidate Members (Post Fellowship) – $275*
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced meeting registration fees.
Qualifications: Resident and Medical Student Membership in The Society is limited to Residents and Medical Students who meet one of the following requirements:
1. Must be a surgical resident in a surgical residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or accredited by an appropriate oversight body; or
2. Must be a student enrolled in an accredited medical school at a college or university.
3. If elected, the Resident Member will remain a Resident Member through completion of surgical training and then be required to apply for Candidate Membership.
For the above, an applicant must submit a completed membership application along with a letter of recommendation from the current training program director or an Active Member of the SSO in a leadership position at the medical school of the applicant’s career interest in oncology
A Resident Member or Medical Student Member shall have the right to attend meetings of The Society.
Dues Rate –
Resident or Medical Student Members (Surgical Residency Program/Enrolled in an accredited medical School) – $60*
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced meeting registration fees.
Qualifications: Emeritus Membership in The Society is an option for those Active Members who have reached the age of 70 and/or are no longer in active practice. The Executive Council may recommend Emeritus Membership status at a younger age under unusual circumstances. New candidates for Emeritus membership must meet one or more of the following:
1. Be a retired physician or scientist no longer in active practice or research of medicine
2. Have reached the age of 70 or over
Dues Rate –
Emeritus Members – $75*
*Includes a subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.