SSO 2018 Education Program Spans the Spectrum of Innovation and Application

The ways in which surgical patients with solid tumor cancers are treated change and evolve every day. Critical progress is being made, exciting innovations unveiled and new discoveries continually emerge. The SSO Annual Cancer Symposium is where you go to learn about the array of research developments, clinical trials, new technology, and future trends in cancer care. And much of what you’ll learn at SSO 2018 can immediately be integrated into your treatment of oncology surgery patients.

Attend SSO 2018 along with more than 1,700 of your esteemed colleagues from around the world and gain the advanced knowledge, insight and ideas that will help you navigate the continuous changes in cancer care. You’ll have access to a multitude of lectures, sessions, symposia and workshops, many led by internationally recognized experts. Taking place March 21-24 in Chicago, the SSO 2018 Education Program includes:

  • A Schedule Designed with the Attendee in Mind! New this year, the schedule has been designed by disease-site track, allowing you to focus on the content relevant to your practice
  • Three Invited Lectures and the SSO Presidential Address spread out over three days
  • Two Great Debates sessions, with leading surgeons covering four controversial topics
  • 17 Symposia sessions covering current controversies, tumor boards, and pivotal scientific updates
  • 12 Meet the Professor (MTP) Breakfasts featuring presenters of international prominence leading small-group discussions exploring challenging issues or interesting topics in surgical oncology
  • NEW: Even More Thought-provoking Abstracts covering cutting-edge science and clinical trials. The Committee has added more parallel sessions and Quick Shots abstracts to the past schedule consisting of two plenary sessions, nine disease-site parallel sessions, video sessions and over 400 poster presentations. Abstracts cover breast, colorectal, endocrine, hepato-pancreato-biliary, melanoma, quality improvement/clinical outcomes, sarcoma, thoracic, upper gastrointestinal, and more
  • Fellows & Residents Lounge offering open access to SSO members, networking opportunities with SSO leadership and program directors, and discussions tailored specifically toward fellows and residents
  • Four Pre-Meeting Courses, designed to provide an emphasis on practical information for the practicing surgeon
  • Industry Forums and Industry Satellite Symposia

Overall Educational Objectives for SSO 2018

  • Describe recent updates and current controversies in the multidisciplinary management of patients with breast cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, pancreas and hepatobiliary malignancies, esophageal cancer, thyroid and adrenal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and peritoneal surface malignancies.
  • Discuss advances in basic and translational sciences, including demonstration of an understanding of prognostic and predictive assays as applicable to cancer care, through presentations of original research performed by members of the Society.
  • Discuss the rationale for neoadjuvant therapy and/or genetic testing in the context of personalized cancer care.
  • Discuss the goals of cost, value, and quality as applied to cancer care.
  • Describe novel techniques in cancer surgery.