Scientific abstracts that are included in ASTRO's Annual Meeting allow attendees to share important findings with colleagues and interact with leaders in the field. Accepted abstracts represent all aspects of oncology, radiation oncology and radiation therapy for non-oncologic conditions. The scientific program will feature cutting-edge research in all major disease sites, as well as special physics and biology oral abstract sessions.
Accepted abstracts will be published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics ASTRO Annual Meeting Proceedings.
The call for abstracts submission site is Now Open and will close on February 25, 2025. Notifications will be sent on May 15, 2025.
Policy on Studies Sponsored by Commercial Interests
Disclosure Policy
ASTRO is an accredited provider of continuing medical education and adheres to the policies and standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). As such, abstract authors are required to disclose relationships with ineligible companies.
An ineligible company is defined as “any entity developing, producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by or used on patients.”
To ensure its compliance, ASTRO expects that the content and related materials will promote improvements or quality in health care and not a specific proprietary business interest or commercial bias.
Embargo Policy and ASTRO Press Policy
All abstracts to be presented at the ASTRO Annual Meeting are embargoed until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 26, 2025. The embargo for all posters at the meeting will also lift at that time. For abstracts selected for oral presentation, information beyond what is included in the abstract, such as updated or additional results, is embargoed until the date and time of scientific presentation or presentation at an ASTRO news briefing, whichever occurs first. The embargo policy applies to all abstracts regardless of whether information is obtained from another source.
Embargo violations by media professionals may result in suspension of credentials at the ASTRO Annual Meeting as well as future meetings and may also impact the ability to receive advanced media materials for future meetings. Embargo violations by abstract authors and/or sponsors may result in the removal of the abstract from the scientific program. Abstract authors are responsible for notifying financial and other sponsors about this embargo policy.
Questions about the embargo policy may be directed to ASTRO’s media relations team.
The full text of the abstracts selected for oral and poster presentation will be available online at the start of ASTRO’s Annual Meeting. Abstracts also will be published in a supplement of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (www.redjournal.org).
Policy on Abstract Copyrights
Once an abstract is submitted to ASTRO, the author (or owner of the IP rights) retains the rights, including the copyright, vis a vis ASTRO upon submission of the abstract for the meeting. However, by submitting the abstract, the owner is granting ASTRO and its affiliates the right and license to publish, use, post, etc. the abstract. You can find more information about the terms of submission at Elsevier's Website Terms and Conditions.
Each abstract is scored by a committee of at least 7 reviewers who are your peers and experts in the field based on the following scoring criteria:
Specific questions for prospective Clinical Trials:
Specific questions for retrospective observational studies:
Trials in Progress
Trials in Progress provides an opportunity for members of the research community to present ongoing trials, foster collaboration and discuss correlatives and novel trial designs. Trials in Progress will be considered for digital poster only.
Please ensure that the Trial in Progress meets the following criteria before submitting the abstract:
Interim Analysis
Database Studies
Plenary Session
Three to five top-rated abstracts are accepted for the Plenary Session and will be offered in an unopposed general assembly. Several of these are usually Late-breaking abstracts. The Plenary Session includes didactic presentations highlighting abstracts of scientific significance deemed to have the highest merit and greatest impact on radiation oncology research and practice. Experts in the field will serve as discussants to place research findings into perspective.
Clinical Trials Session
Up to nine abstracts are accepted for the Clinical Trials Session that will be offered in an unopposed general assembly. Research submitted from significant clinical trials and trials in progress may be selected for this special session. Abstracts reporting trial process updates, such as accrual, baseline characteristics, and non-protocol specific safety information, will not be considered for the Clinical Trials Session but instead be considered for Posters only for informational purposes. Previously presented results may be considered if they are deemed relevant by the program planning committee.
Oral Scientific Sessions
Oral abstract sessions provide pedagogic presentations of scientific research. Typically, approximately 360 accepted abstracts are scheduled in 60- and 75-minute sessions. Each presenter is given seven minutes to present his or her paper immediately followed by a three-minute question and answer period. Oral presentations are grouped together by track. Experts in the field (discussants) are chosen to provide comprehensive themed discussions of the findings from selected abstracts in a session.
Quick Pitch Sessions
Quick pitch sessions are 60 minutes long, including more fast-paced presentation of scientific research, allowing extra time for discussion. Each presenter is given 5-minutes to present his or her paper. Thirty minutes of Q&A follows these presentations, moderated by a Discussant. Oral presentations are grouped together by track. Experts in the field (discussants) are chosen to provide comprehensive themed discussions of the findings from selected abstracts in a session.
Poster Q&A Sessions
Back by popular demand, all poster viewing presentations will be displayed as electronic posters! Posters will be presented on large; touchscreen monitors and every poster presenter will be assigned a time to present their poster to an audience. Posters are uploaded with our vendor, MultiLearning, and technical help is provided. Digital posters utilize multimedia to present scientific studies in an engaging way. Poster presenters will have 5-minutes to present their work, followed by 3-minutes for Q&A.
There are 22 tracks separated by disease site. Abstracts should be submitted in the most appropriate track. Please note that abstracts may be recategorized by the Track Chairs as deemed appropriate.
To build on the conference theme, Rediscovering Radiation Medicine and Exploring New Indications, we are seeking abstracts that fit within the 22 tracks and also soliciting abstracts that may cover these areas of interest:
Track | Subcategories |
---|---|
Breast Cancer | DCIS-Ductal Carcinoma in situ Early-stage Invasive Advanced-stage Invasive Toxicity Altered Fractionation Immunotherapy Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Central Nervous System | Gliomas (Low Grade, High Grade) Benign Brain Tumors Brain Metastasis Spinal Cord and Spine Optic Nerve/Ocular Melanoma CNS Normal Tissue Effects Immunotherapy/Targeted Therapy Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) Miscellaneous/Other |
Digital Health Innovation and Informatics | Artificial Intelligence Analytics, Models and Visualization Methods Bioinformatics Big Data Clinical Practice Integration Machine Learning Ontologies, Nomenclatures, Standardizations Omics |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Health Care | Health Inequities Health Systems and Access to Care Workforce and/or Workforce Disparities Inclusion Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Gastrointestinal Cancer | Esophago-gastric Gastric/Small Bowel/Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Hepato-biliary (Liver, Bile Duct, Gallbladder) Colon/Rectum/Anus Miscellaneous – Abdominal Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Genitourinary Cancer | Prostate Bladder Immunotherapy Kidney/Adrenal/Ureter Testis/Penile Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Gynecological Cancer | Cervix Immunotherapy Uterus/Endometrium Vulva/Vagina/Ovary Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Head and Neck Cancer | Oral Cavity Oropharynx Nasopharynx Larynx/Hypopharynx Nasal Cavity/Paranasal Sinuses Salivary Gland Thyroid Skin Cancer Orbital/Ocular/Ocular Melanoma Immunotherapy Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Health Services Research/ Global Oncology |
Health Services Research Methodology Comparative Effectiveness Cost Effectiveness Decision Making Health Policy Global Oncology Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Hematologic Malignancies | Hodgkin Lymphoma Aggressive (B&T cell) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Low-grade Lymphoma Mycosis Fungoides/Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Leukemia Multiple Myeloma/ Plasmacytoma Lymphoma Radiation Techniques and Toxicity Immunotherapy/Cellular Therapy Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
International/Global Oncology | Comparative Effectiveness Cost Effectiveness Decision Making Health Policy Global Oncology Climate, Environment, and Sustainability Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Lung Cancer/Thoracic Malignancies | Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Small Cell Lung Cancer Rare Thoracic Cancers – Thymic Tumors, Mesothelioma Oligometastasis/Oligoprogression Immunotherapy Miscellaneous/Other Health Care Disparities in the Diagnosis Management and Outcomes of Lung Cancer Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Nonmalignant Disease | Cardiac CNS Musculoskeletal Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Nursing and Supportive Care | Clinical Patient Education/Shared Decision Making Supportive Care |
Palliative Care | Palliative Care – General Symptom Management Communication Skills Prognostication Treatment Planning/Toxicity Oligometastases/SBRT Re-irradiation Integration with Systemic Therapy/Immunotherapy Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Patient Reported Outcomes/ QoL/Survivorship |
Patient Reported Outcomes Quality of Life Survivorship/Survivor Care Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Patient Safety | Quality Assurance Clinic Workflow and Process Segmentation Workflow and Process Peer Review Incident Learning IT/Information Technology Machine Learning in Safety Automation/Standardization in Safety Learning from our Errors: Case Studies from the Field Miscellaneous/Other |
Pediatric Cancer | CNS Immunotherapy Leukemia/Lymphoma Neuroblastoma Retinoblastoma Sarcoma (Soft Tissue, Bone) Wilm's Tumor Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Professional Development/ Medical Education |
History of Radiation Oncology Medical Education in Radiation Oncology Academic Productivity Mental Health and Wellness Learning Methodologies Social Media GME/CME Professionalism Medical Ethics |
Biology – Radiation and Cancer Biology | Normal Tissue Injury, Mutagenesis, Carcinogenesis DNA Damage Induction, Repair and the Damage Response Cell Cycle and Tissue Kinetics Tumor Biology and Signaling Pathways Radiation Protection-Biodosimetry/Protectors/Mitigators/Treatment High LET/Radiation and Dose Rate Effects Translational Research – Radionuclides for Imaging, Therapy and Dosimetry Translational Research – Experimental Therapeutics and Sensitizers Translational research – Genomic and Molecular Biomarkers Immunotherapy and the Immune Response Special Biology Session – Diversity and Inclusion in Radiobiology Miscellaneous/Other |
Physics – Radiation and Cancer Physics | Special Physics Session: Advances in Image Acquisition, Reconstruction and Use in RT Adaptive and Automated Processes: Offline and Online Delivery: Hardware Technologies and Novel Procedures Delivery: Treatment Techniques Delivery: Safety, QA and Efficiency Planning: Algorithms and Optimization Imaging for Positioning and Monitoring Imaging for Planning (Including Auto-segmentation or Functional Imaging) Planning/Delivery: Motion Management Planning/Delivery: SRS and SBRT Imaging for Response Assessment Miscellaneous/Other Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Sarcoma and Cutaneous Tumors | Soft Tissue Sarcoma Bone Sarcoma Melanoma Non-melanoma Skin Cancers (Including Merkel Cell (Non-Head and Neck) Immunotherapy and Other Systemic Therapy Trials in Progress/Encore Study/Review-style Abstract (Poster Only) |
Abstract authors can apply for an abstract award during the abstract submission. The deadline to submit an award application is the same as the abstract submission deadline: February 25, 2025.
Steven A. Leibel Memorial Award
Steven A. Leibel, MD, was a former member of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) Board of Trustees and a Past President of the ABR, as well as ASTRO. Following his passing, a Memorial Fund was established in his memory. For this award, the ABR Foundation will provide two award winners with $2,000 each at the ASTRO Annual Meeting. Winners will be selected by ASTRO leadership and will be selected only from the abstracts designated as Plenary or Clinical Trials presentations. The award winner must be the principal author, ABR board certified or board-eligible, and have completed training in radiation oncology or medical physics no more than 10 years prior to the presentation.
Resident Clinical/Basic Science Research Abstract Awards
This award is designed to promote clinical research by young scientists. The award is granted to the top three resident authors of significant abstracts in biology, clinical practice and physics. The award includes a $1,500 honorarium, a trophy of recognition and complimentary registration to the Annual Meeting.
Basic/Translational Science Abstract Awards
This award is designed to encourage participation by basic and translational scientists. Up to 12 awards will be given to applicants having the top-rated abstracts in biology, clinical practice and physics categories — four awards in each category. The award includes a $1,000 honorarium, certificate of recognition and complimentary registration to the Annual Meeting.
Nurses’ Abstract Award
This award is designed to promote clinical research among radiation oncology nurses. Up to two awards of $1,000 will be presented to the highest rated abstracts with a nursing designation. A certificate of recognition and complimentary registration to the Annual Meeting is included. The candidate must be a first or co-author of an accepted abstract.
International Abstract Award
This grant is designed to foster continuing medical education, assist in career development and help to establish relationships with leading ASTRO members who may serve as scientific mentors to the recipient. One award of $4,000 will be used to support a radiation oncologist in a developing country to attend the ASTRO Annual Meeting and to spend additional time at a comprehensive cancer center within the United States. Complimentary registration to the Annual Meeting is included.
Annual Meeting Travel Awards To recognize outstanding abstracts submitted by early career scientists, biologists and physicists, up to 15 awards of $1,000 each will be provided to help offset travel expenses to the meeting. Complimentary registration to the Annual Meeting is included. Applications must be submitted during the abstract submission process.
Annual Meeting Resident Recognition Awards
By submitting an abstract, the submitter acknowledges and agrees to the provisions above.