Two Roswell Park Cancer Institute faculty members presented this week at ASTRO 2009 – the world’s largest radiation oncology conference in Chicago. ASTRO (American Society for Radiation Oncology) is the world’s premier radiation oncology society that has a membership committed to advancing the scientific base of radiation therapy.

Over 12,000 international attendees participated in ASTRO 2009. Attendees received state-of-the-art educational courses targeted specifically to radiation oncology as well as surgical and medical oncology. Breakthrough cancer research was presented at more than 200 concurrent sessions and several general sessions.

Dr. Mohamed K. Kahn served as a moderator of a panel discussion titled “Thinking Small: The Future of Nanoimaging and Nanotherapy.” He was joined by representatives from University at Hong Kong and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in presenting background to help the audience understand nanotechnology and where it may be used in the future, generally and in radiation oncology. It examined some of the latest research with applications in cancer imaging and treatment. The discussion also speculated on where this research and technology may go within the next 20 years.

Dr. Gary Yang presented an education session titled “Cancer of the Esophagus.” The presentation, with help from a representative from Duke University, reviewed current epidemiological changes and treatment strategies of esophageal cancer.