Join Us for ASTRO 2025 in San Francisco

It is my pleasure to invite you to the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), taking place September 27 to October 1 in vibrant San Francisco, California. San Francisco offers a stunning backdrop for this year’s meeting, and we’ve worked closely with the local convention and visitors bureau, San Francisco Travel, to ensure a welcoming and safe experience for all attendees.

A Timely Theme: Rediscovering Radiation Medicine and Exploring New Indications

I first wrote about this theme two years ago, when I was elected to the ASTRO presidential track. While our field remains dynamic and robust, it has leaned heavily on external beam radiation therapy for the past two decades. I believe we are at an inflection point — one that calls on us to redefine our identity:

• Physicians first
• Oncologists second
• Radiation oncologists third

Every patient who might benefit from radiotherapy deserves the opportunity to be evaluated in our clinics.

Presidential Symposium: Expanding Horizons in Nonmalignant Disease

This year’s Presidential Symposium will focus on nonmalignant uses of radiotherapy, an area of growing importance. The symposium is divided into four sessions:

1. Musculoskeletal and Inflammatory Disorders, including Dupuytren’s contracture and osteoarthritis
2. Central Nervous System Conditions, such as tremor and other functional disorders
3. Cardiac Applications, including arrhythmias and potentially congestive heart failure

View the full schedule and lineup of speakers on page 15.

Two Powerful Keynote Addresses

We are honored to welcome two extraordinary keynote speakers whose stories will challenge and inspire us:

• Monday, September 29: Bobby Mukkamala, MD, practicing otolaryngologist and President of the American Medical Association. Last November, Dr. Mukkamala was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and is now doing well. A practicing physician in Flint, Michigan, he has a deep understanding of how ZIP code can influence health care outcomes. His keynote, “My Brain Tumor: Why I got Better Care than My Neighbors,” will address these disparities head-on.
• Tuesday, September 30: Bryant Lin, MD, MEng, primary care physician, educator and researcher at Stanford Medicine. In 2024, Dr. Lin was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and started a Stanford Medical School course centered around his case. His voice brings an essential perspective on what it means to be both caregiver and patient. His keynote, “Hope, Research, and the Cancer Patient,” will inspire you.

These two keynote speakers remind us of the profound responsibility and privilege we hold — not just to treat disease but to care for one another.

Practical Radiation Oncology: Continued Growth

The Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO) Program continues to grow in both scope and stature. We expect over 500 attendees and will cover both foundational topics and emerging innovations. Highlights include the role of liquid biopsies and circulating tumor DNA, which are poised to become integral across practice settings.

We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco. In-person connection and professional camaraderie remain irreplaceable. While the world may be evolving in complex ways, our focus remains clear: to share ideas, collaborate meaningfully, and return to our clinics better equipped to care for our patients.

That has always been the purpose of the ASTRO Annual Meeting — and this year will be no exception.