Welcome

Dear Esteemed Colleagues and Friends,

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we invite you to the 21st Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists, scheduled to take place on the 12th and 13th of October 2024, at Hotel Galadari in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This year’s sessions are poised to be a landmark event in the field of oncology, offering a platform to enhance knowledge, exchange experiences, and foster collaborations among the oncology fraternity. Our comprehensive programme features an impressive array of topics, meticulously curated to address the most pressing issues in oncology today. With nearly 20 renowned international speakers from countries such as India, Singapore, UAE, UK, USA, Canada, and Spain, alongside over 30 local experts, we are set to deliver an enriching experience for all participants.

The sessions will include dynamic case-based discussions on head and neck, lung, breast and haematological malignancies. In addition, symposia on prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumours and plenaries on cutting-edge topics such as PET scans, thyroid cancer, germ cell tumours, rectal brachytherapy, and bone metastases promise to provide valuable insights. We are also honoured to feature a keynote address on the role of AI in oncology patient care, a topic of growing importance in our field.

For the first time in our history, we are thrilled to collaborate with the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) to host a comprehensive pre-congress workshop on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), a rapidly evolving area in Sri Lanka. Additionally, pre-congress sessions will focus on radiotherapy contouring, acute oncology, surgical oncology, and a live post-congress workshop on rectal cancer brachytherapy, offering extensive learning opportunities that will benefit not just oncologists, but also professionals in haematology, transfusion medicine, immunology, microbiology and more.

This event also presents a fantastic opportunity for participants to showcase their research through abstract presentations and poster sessions, with awards for the best submissions. We are grateful for the support of numerous pharmaceutical companies that have partnered with us to make this event a success.

Beyond the academic offerings, we invite you to explore the natural beauty and rich culture of Sri Lanka. From the serene beaches to the lush hill country, Sri Lanka offers a unique blend of experiences that will captivate your heart. We extend a warm welcome to all participants, especially those from our neighbouring SAARC countries, to join us in Colombo for this pivotal event.

We look forward to your active participation and to advancing the field of oncology together.

See you in Colombo for the 21st Annual Academic Sessions!

Warm regards,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee,