The 2024 ASTRO Annual Meeting takes place from September 28 – October 2 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, and virtually. This year’s theme, “Targeting Provider Wellness for Exceptional Patient Care,” focuses on the connection between healthcare provider well-being and patient outcomes. With over 9,000 attendees expected, it’s the leading event for radiation oncology professionals. Attendees can explore the latest advancements in radiation therapy, patient safety, and provider wellness while networking with top experts in the field. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to secure your spot.

Among the many great topics at this year’s meeting, breast cancer remains a leading focus. With over 300,000 new cases annually in the U.S., it’s essential to address ongoing treatment, challenges, and advancements. Sessions will cover the latest in trials, research, and clinical strategies for managing breast cancer, ensuring attendees are equipped with the most current knowledge to enhance patient care.

Saturday, September 28

  • Advances in Breast Cancer Management: Early Stage Disease, Post-Neoadjuvant Radiation Therapy and IMRT for Breast Cancer Treatment
    • Time(s): 7:55 – 9:15 a.m.
    • Location: Room 146
    • Session type: Education
    • Description: This session will review key advances in breast cancer treatment through case-based presentations, covering early-stage treatment guidelines, post-neoadjuvant radiation therapy, and breast IMRT techniques.

Sunday, September 29

  • Breast Cancer 1: Clinical Trials
    • Time: 8 – 9 a.m. 
    • Location: Room 202
    • Session Type: Scientific
    • Description: This session will cover key trials comparing hypofractionated and conventional radiotherapy techniques for breast cancer, focusing on outcomes like lymphedema, edema, and patient-reported results. 

  • Update on ASTRO’s Partial Breast Irradiation Guidelines: Case-Based Interactive Discussion
    • Time: 4:45 – 6 p.m. 
    • Location: Room 202
    • Session type: Education
    • Description: This session will review updated partial breast irradiation guidelines, including evidence-based recommendations, techniques, and outcomes, while engaging the audience in clinical case discussions and patient-centered decision-making.

Monday, September 30

  • Science Highlights – Breast Cancer
    • Time: 8 – 8:30 a.m. 
    • Location: Room 145
    • Session type: Science Highlights

  • Multimodality Treatment De-Intensification in Low-Risk Breast Cancer: What are the Limits?
    • Time: 10:45 a.m – 12 p.m. . 
    • Location: Room 147
    • Session type: Education
    • Description: This session will feature a case-based panel of experts discussing treatment de-intensification in breast cancer, covering axillary surgery omission, endocrine therapy options, and radiation de-intensification, with case presentations and expert recommendations.

  • Breast Cancer and Nonmalignant Disease Poster Q&A
    • Time: 3 – 4 p.m. 
    • Location: Hall C
    • Session type: Poster Q&A
    • Description: This poster session features diverse topics presented by various experts, offering a broad range of insights and perspectives.

  • Breast 2: Partial Breast Irradiation
    • Time: 5 – 6 p.m. 
    • Location: Room 202
    • Description: This session will present key findings from trials comparing different fractionation schedules for partial breast irradiation, focusing on outcomes, cosmesis, patient-reported results, and toxicity. 

Tuesday, October 1

  • Improving Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema and Upper Extremity Dysfunction: Why Multidisciplinary Care Matters
    • Time(s): 8 – 9 a.m. 
    • Location: Room 202
    • Session type: Education
    • Description: This session will address strategies for identifying and managing high-risk breast cancer patients, optimizing radiation therapy to prevent lymphedema, and share a personal perspective from a breast cancer survivor on the impact of these conditions.

  • Breast Cancer 3: Toxicity
    • Time(s):12:45 – 2 p.m.
    • Location: Room 207
    • Session type: Scientific
    • Description: This session will explore topics including the impact of coronary radiation dose on cardiac events, virtual fatigue management programs, safety of combined trastuzumab-deruxtecan and radiation, skin microbiome profiles and dermatitis, spectrophotometric skin changes, and rib fracture risks with different radiation dose fractionations. 

  • Salvage Therapy for Local-Regional Breast Cancer Recurrence: What, When, and How Much?
    • Time(s): 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
    • Location: Room 145
    • Session type: Education
    • Description: This session will review recent advancements in salvage radiotherapy and systemic agents for non-metastatic breast cancer recurrence, focusing on reirradiation techniques, patient selection, and multimodality management strategies.

  • Treating Stage IV Breast Cancer: Who, What, Where and When?
    • Time(s): 5:15 – 6:15 p.m.
    • Location: Room 202
    • Session type: Education
    • Description: This session will cover Stage IV breast cancer treatment trends, disparities, and recent trial results, including approaches to oligometastatic disease and practical considerations for primary treatment in metastatic cases.

Wednesday, October 2

  • Breast Cancer 4: Quick Pitch
    • Time: 8 – 9 a.m. 
    • Location: Room 204
    • Session type: Quick Pitch
    • Description: 
    • This session will present findings on circulating tumor cell dynamics, lymphocyte changes, multi-omic biosignatures for recurrence risk, proton beam therapy toxicity, pre-operative boost benefits, and clinical outcomes related to lung changes after intensity-modulated proton therapy.

In summary, the 2024 ASTRO Annual Meeting will offer insights into the latest advancements and research in radiation oncology. From exploring innovative treatments for breast cancer to examining the impact of radiation on various types of cancer and aspects of patient health, this conference will be an opportunity for professionals to stay updated and enhance their practice. With a diverse range of sessions and expert discussions, attendees will gain valuable knowledge and practical strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Sign up for alerts and stay informed on the latest published guidelines and the ASTRO 2024 recap post the conference.

Copyright © 2024 Guideline Central, All Rights Reserved.