Background
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing the fourth International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO4), following the success of the previous conferences (ICARO, ICARO2 and ICARO3) in 2009, 2017 and 2021. The advances in radiotherapy in the last years have been striking, although numerous challenges are still to be faced, including achieving access to high standard cancer care in many countries. New radiotherapy techniques have been implemented, including stereotactic radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, image guided and motion management, magnetic resonance imaging-guided linear accelerator Linacs, three-dimensional conformal brachytherapy, proton and light ion therapy. The increased use of these complex techniques, coupled with the need to treat more patients in less time, will continue to drive a reliance on high-end technologies and impose a financial burden on health care programmes. In addition, the development and implementation of a quality assurance programme for these new techniques pose major challenges in Member States.
The conference, which will be held from 2-5 June 2025, will give health care professional an opportunity to review the current developments in clinical applications in the fields of radiation biology and medical physics, with a view to addressing the challenges of appropriate cancer management in Member States.
It will also critically examine the pivotal role of emerging radiotherapy techniques in tackling the health challenges common to many Member States.
An appropriate number of accredited continuing medical education (CME) credits will be awarded to participants.
Purpose and Objectives
The conference will review important clinical, scientific, and clinical aspects covering different aspects of radiotherapy. It will have the following specific objectives:
- To review the current role and potential of clinical, medical physics, technological and molecular/biological innovations in radiation oncology.
- To explore the applications of improved imaging tools in treatment planning.
- To review the current status of evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of common cancers.
- To review the latest developments in medical dosimetry and dose auditing procedures for new radiotherapy technologies.
- To review the present situation of comprehensive audits in radiotherapy.
- To review resource sparing approaches in clinical radiotherapy practices.
- To exchange information on the latest advances and implementation challenges in the field among leading experts.
- To define future challenges and directions in the clinical use of radiotherapy.
Expected Outcomes
The conference will provide clinicians, scientists, and professionals with an international forum at which they can review the latest developments in all aspects of radiotherapy, with a view to addressing the health challenges common to many IAEA Member States.
