The fourth International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO-4) is underway this week at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, bringing together participants from around the world to examine the latest advances in treating cancer with radiation.
Opening the conference, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Najat Mokhtar urged attendees to remember inclusivity as they discuss recent innovations ranging from new techniques to the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. "The future of radiotherapy, and of cancer care more broadly, must be equitable. For this, patients [and practitioners] must be at the centre of all we do."
Although more than half of all cancer patients need radiotherapy at some point, access to this life-saving treatment remains out of reach for far too many. To meet the target of one machine per 500 patients, low-income countries on average need eight times more machines than currently available, the IAEA-led Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics found. In terms of human resources, the global radiation medicine workforce of 2022 must expand by more than 60 percent to respond to the 35.3 million new cancer cases and limit the potential 18.5 million deaths anticipated by 2050.
"Through shared commitment, we can ensure that radiation medicine continues to serve as a force for healing, resilience and sustainable growth in every corner of the world," said Mohammad Haidar, Lebanon's Minister of Labor, during the opening ceremony. He noted that Lebanon is strengthening education and training, creating sustainable job opportunities through investments in medical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being and dignity of its workers. These combined efforts, he added, will help improve healthcare outcomes, support the country's broader economic recovery and contribute to its national development goals.
"The IAEA's commitment to science, education and international cooperation has helped shape a new future for Lebanon - one in which human capital is at the centre of this progress," he said. "Let us continue working together; let us turn dialogue into action and challenges into opportunity."
Building Global Capacity in Radiotherapy
ICARO-4 convened a high-level panel featuring leaders from academia and industry. Moderated by the IAEA Director of the Division of Human Health May Abdel-Wahab, panellists delved into their organizations' efforts as they underscored the importance of collaboration.
During the panel, Ambassador Julia Emma Villatoro Tario, Chief Executive Officer of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) noted how the organization provides educational opportunities for those working in the field. ASTRO has launched a year-long virtual series for radiation oncologists from Ukraine and an international resource consultation portal.
Leaders from professional organizations and the private sector joined Ambassador Julia Emma Villatoro Tario - a patient advocate - for a high-level panel discussion moderated by IAEA Director of the Division of Human Health May Abdel-Wahab. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)
Building on this, Alessandro Cortese, CEO of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) highlighted how data from the IAEA has enabled the society to address staffing and equipment gaps. With a focus on workforce know-how, ESTRO has developed training courses and programmes with the IAEA. Within the Asia Pacific region, Federation of Asian Organizations for Radiation Oncology (FARO) conducts monthly webinars, facilitates research collaborations and organizes regular meetings with affordable registration fees, Imjai Chitapanarux, its president pointed out. FARO brings together national societies to share human resources and expertise, she explained.
From the private sector, the CEO of Varian, Arthur Kaindl and Jean-Marc Bothy, President of IBA Dosimetry, shared how their companies focus on the entirety of a patient's journey, listen to the needs of partners and co-design solutions with them.
Habib Nehmé, Elekta's Chief Commercial Officer shared examples of how technology and software have enhanced outcomes, reduced workloads, automated complex processes and improved productivity. Industry, manufacturers, professional organizations and the IAEA have to work hand-in-hand on integrated systems to provide independent quality assurance, the CEO of IBA Dosimetry added.
ICARO attendees learning about the IAEA's educational resources, guides and publications within human health. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)
Ambassador Julia Emma Villatoro Tario, El Salvador's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, joined the panel as a patient advocate, sharing her experience with cancer.
"It is a headache when you are living with this experience, when you are facing a situation where the pain is strong," she said about the administrative, financial and accessibility-related challenges that patients face. "This kind of conference is important because it raises awareness but also makes us [understand more] about the situation we are facing."
Over the course of the week, radiation oncologists, radiation biologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists are examining latest innovations and technical advances. Discussions will focus on topics such as stereotactic radiotherapy, proton therapy and particle therapy. Attendees can also refine their medical skills through hands-on practice in 5 different workshops. With a total of 49 sessions, 13 educational sessions, 4 side events, 55 oral abstracts and 390 posts, ICARO-4 is the largest IAEA radiation oncology conference to date.
