ASTRO’s Scientific Meeting to Include Results of More than 800 New Research Studies

Fairfax, Va - The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the world’s largest radiation oncology society, will hold its 46th Annual Scientific Meeting October 3-7, 2004, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Nearly 10,000 top cancer doctors and scientists from around the globe will be in attendance to hear the results of more than 800 new research studies detailing the latest advances in the fight against cancer. Hundreds of medical equipment makers and pharmaceutical developers will also be on hand to demonstrate new equipment and medications that are helping cancer patients live longer and more comfortably.

Some highlights of this meeting include:

-- Leading health economist Kenneth E. Warner, Ph.D., presenting on the \"Next Generation of ’Less Hazardous Cigarettes.’\"

-- Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., one of the world’s most experienced developers of new anti-cancer agents, talking on \"Pursuing Drug Development Targets that Are Not There.\"

-- Top tumor researcher Rakesh Jain, Ph.D., discussing why some tumors are resistant to treatment.

Other hot topics include:

-- New ways to manage cancer that has spread.

-- How new targeted treatments are helping patients.

-- Controversies and current treatments for pediatric tumors.

-- Technical advances in curing breast cancer.

-- How new radioactive medicines are working to treat cancers.

-- Improving lung cancer treatments.

-- Advances in curing brain cancer.

-- Better ways to manage cancer pain.

-- Advances in curing lymphomas.

-- New ways to help patients avoid surgery and preserve organs.

-- How radiation oncologists can help manage nuclear terrorism and mass casualties.

-- Ways changes in insurance reimbursement are affecting cancer patients.

-- Benefits of combining chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

-- How new imaging techniques are improving cancer treatments.

Qualified members of the press are offered complementary registration to ASTRO’s meeting. Registered press will have access to an on site press room, offering computer workstations, printers, fax machines, telephones and data lines. ASTRO staff will be on hand to facilitate interviews with researchers presenting groundbreaking studies at the meeting. Complimentary refreshments will be served throughout the event.

To register for the meeting, please visit the Annual Meeting Media Corner online at
http://www.astro.org/annual_meeting/media_corner
Beth Bukata
Communications Manager
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
12500 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 375
Fairfax, VA 22033
800-962-7876
bethb@astro.org
703-227-0141