It gives us great pleasure to announce that the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI) is about to stage its 34^th annual national conference (AROICON), in Kolkata, between 29^th November-2^nd December 2012, at the Science City Auditorium and Hotel ITC Sonar.

Cancer has emerged as the main cause of death worldwide & India is no exception. The incidence of cancer is rising, which is often difficult to cope with in our developing nation, given the shortage of awareness, infrastructure and trained manpower.  AROI is proud to be one of the largest and most respected organizations combating cancer in India.

Radiation oncology (radiotherapy) is the branch of oncology which deals with the treatment of cancer by means of ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays & high-energy X-rays.  Doctors in this specialty, who are also trained in chemotherapy and palliative care, work closely with surgeons to provide multidisciplinary cancer care,that is the norm today.

This specialty has made rapid strides in the last 2 decades, with spectacular developments in radiation delivery techniques, focused on increasing dose to the tumor, (and thereby effectiveness) while reducing dose to the neighboring normal tissues (and thereby side-effects). Such techniques include intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and stereotactic radiotherapy.

AROI was founded in 1976-77 at Nagpur, with the purpose of advocating the specialties of Radiotherapy & Oncology in India. Since its inception, the organization has grown manifold and now boasts of more than 1800 members all over India.

The AROI’s annual national conference is an important international event in the world of oncology, graced by many stalwarts , who have presented their work and ideas to the attending doctors and paved the way for inculcating better knowledge, especially among the post graduate students, through the memorial orations, keynote lectures, panel discussions and symposia. This year is no exception, with many world-renowned oncologists scheduled to speak, including Prof J Overgaard (Denmark), Prof V Gregoire (Belgium), Prof CM Nutting & Prof J Yarnold (UK), Prof R Timmerman (USA), Prof B O’Sullivan & Prof D Jaffray (Canada). They will join a galaxy of Indian oncologists, including Dr R Bilimagga (Bengaluru), Prof GK Rath (N Delhi) Dr S Hukku (N Delhi), Prof SK Shrivastava (Mumbai), Prof FD Patel (Chandigarh) & many others.

The AROI also encourages dissemination of knowledge, especially among its young members. Specifically for this purpose, numerous proffered and Best papers are presented at every conference and meritorious candidates awarded. AROI also recognizes the fact that most centers in India still do not access to the most advanced technologies. For this it awards Travel Grants and various fellowships to its members for travelling to the best centers in India and abroad to learn these precise radiation techniques hands on and uplift the standard of care provided by them to their community.

Eastern India has been one of the pioneers in radiotherapy in India. Many stalwarts in the field, both in India and abroad, hail from this part of the country.  The host institute, Medical College Kolkata, which is the oldest medical college in Asia (1835) boasts of one of the oldest radiotherapy departments in India, established in 1910. The Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, which recently celebrated its golden jubilee, is another renowned institute. Over the last decade, there has been tremendous development in radiotherapy & oncology in our region, with the establishment of a number of modern institutes in both public & private sectors.

Alongside the academics, delegates & faculty at this year’s AROICON will also be soaking up the ambience of one of the most cultured and hospitable cities of the world, an ever-surprising metropolis where the old and the new live in harmony.

The opening ceremony of the conference, at Science City Auditorium on 29^th November will be graced by a number of dignitaries and will feature renowned danseuse Smt Alokananda Ray’s production of Rabindranath Tagore’s immortal dance-drama Balmiki Prativa.

We pray for your good wishes and hope that the conference will be successful and memorable, as befits our city and our nation.