Educational Advancements for 2026:
ASTRO’s Vision for Impactful Learning
Lorna Lucas, MSM, Director of Education, ASTROAnnual Meeting Late-breaking Abstract Submissions: A New Approach
In 2026, ASTRO is streamlining its abstract submission process to encourage timely and impactful research. For the first time, the call for late-breaking abstracts will occur concurrently with the general call for abstracts from December 4, 2025, through February 24, 2026.
Here’s how it works:
- Submitters interested in late-breaking abstracts will provide a shell submission that includes the title, background and methods, but excludes results or conclusions.
- This approach accommodates studies that are still in progress but expected to yield significant findings.
- If selected, final results and conclusions must be submitted by July 24, 2026.
- This combined submission period ensures that groundbreaking research can be showcased at the Annual Meeting, even when preliminary data isn’t available by the standard deadline.
Education in radiation oncology is evolving rapidly, and ASTRO is leading the charge in 2026 with a bold vision: to deliver cutting-edge science and real-world applications that directly improve patient care. Through expanded programming, innovative submission processes and more frequent specialty meetings, ASTRO is creating opportunities for professionals to stay ahead of the curve. Here’s what’s new and transformative in ASTRO’s education portfolio for 2026.
ASTRO 2026 Annual Meeting
The ASTRO 2026 Annual Meeting will center on the theme “Data to Dialogue: Communicating Radiotherapy’s Value to Advance Care.” This focus underscores the importance of translating research findings into actionable strategies that enhance patient outcomes. Attendees can expect sessions that bridge the gap between evidence and practice, fostering collaboration across disciplines.Expanded Educational Workshops
ASTRO is introducing a series of expanded workshops designed to deliver fresh content and practical insights. These workshops will spotlight critical areas shaping the future of radiation oncology, including:
- Functional Radiation Medicine – Exploring advanced techniques and their clinical applications.
- Advanced Practice Providers and Radiation Oncology – Empowering APPs with specialized knowledge to optimize patient care.
- Physics – Addressing emerging technologies and precision in treatment delivery.
- Brachytherapy – Highlighting innovations and best practices in this specialized modality.
These workshops aim to provide hands-on learning and foster dialogue among experts, ensuring participants leave with actionable strategies for their practice.
Specialty Meetings Moving to Annual Basis
To keep pace with rapid advancements in radiation medicine, ASTRO is shifting two key multidisciplinary meetings from a biennial to annual basis:- Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium
- Multidisciplinary Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Symposium
ASTRO Annual Refresher Course Updates
The Annual Refresher Course, which covers a comprehensive review of the latest treatment methods and core competencies for the major disease sites, will offer exciting updates for 2026. Based on attendee feedback, the 2026 Refresher will incorporate a dedicated session for skin cancer and expanded Q&A for many sessions. New sessions for 2026 will also include Adaptive Radiotherapy and Radiopharmaceutical Therapy.Be sure to attend the 2026 meetings and plan to attend the meetings annually for continued learning.
ASTRO Academy
In a field where clinical knowledge evolves rapidly, the ASTRO Academy can help you keep pace with accredited, evidence-based education in a convenient online platform. In addition to the regular launch of sessions onDemand and journal activities, the Academy will offer exciting new content for 2026 — the multidisciplinary symposia and Refresher onDemand along with webinars on head and neck cancer, radiopharmaceuticals, contouring, oligometastatic cancer, and translating data to meaningful dialogue.Why These Changes Matter
The enhancements to ASTRO’s education portfolio are more than logistical updates — they represent a strategic effort to align learning with the realities of modern oncology practice. By expanding workshops, accelerating research dissemination, and increasing the frequency of specialty meetings, ASTRO is creating a robust ecosystem for continuous learning and collaboration.For radiation oncology professionals, these changes mean:
- Greater access to cutting-edge science through timely conferences and workshops.
- Opportunities to influence clinical practice by sharing late-breaking research.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex challenges in patient care.
ASTRO’s educational advancements for 2026 reflect a clear vision: education should not only inform but also transform. By prioritizing innovation, accessibility and real-world impact, ASTRO is equipping professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to deliver the highest standard of care. As the field of radiation oncology continues to evolve, ASTRO’s commitment to education ensures that clinicians remain at the forefront, ready to turn data into dialogue and dialogue into better outcomes for patients.
