Medical error involves not only failure to carry out intended actions, but also errors in judgment, which are heavily influenced by our manner of thinking. The field of cognitive science seeks to better understand how we process information and make decisions.

This session will review current evidence based guidelines as well as the basis for guidelines pertaining to the treatment of esophageal and gastric cancer. Worldwide changes in epidemiology will be discussed. Current treatment strategies will be reviewed and compared.

Controversy exists as to the need for surgical staging in all patients. The proper application of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy also is a source of considerable debate. This educational session will review these controversies with special attention to the impact on patient care.

The first gynecologic cancer session, Updates in Endometrial Cancer will review the use of new clinical paradigms including the use of nomogram assessment to assist with medical decision making; the utilization of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and complex 3-D conformal radiation us

This review session will cover the data upon which the current clinical management is based for both benign and malignant adult CNS tumors. Data-based recommendations from randomized trials will be emphasized as well as clinically relevant practice patterns.

The first session will provide a clinical update on the optimal management of upper GI malignancies including esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer.

This session will focus on the management of breast cancer.  It will cover patient selection for breast conservation, the appropriate surgical margin, fractionation and management of the regional nodes in women with axillary nodal involvement.

Attendees will be able to apply the level 1 evidence from prospective randomized clinical trials in determining the best practice approach for men with low, intermediate and high risk prostate cancer.

First, we hope to raise awareness of the current gaps in knowledge on effective communication strategies important to patient care within radiation oncology. No structured curriculum currently exists in radiation oncology to address this educational need.

Improving healthcare disparities in cancer care represents a significant challenge to the oncology community. This session will focus on the multiple factors contributing to these disparities and broader effect on local populations.