New data from several studies evaluating new techniques for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer are being presented at the first European Multidisciplinary Conference on Thoracic Oncology (EMCTO) in Lugano, Switzerland (1-3 May 2009).
"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and also in Europe. One of the reasons for this is that symptoms of lung cancer are very often lacking or occur only late in the course of the disease," said Prof Rudolf M. Huber from the University of Munich in Germany.
"The prognosis of lung cancer patients is very dependent on how advanced their disease is. In stage I for example, where the tumour has not yet spread, 5-year-survival rates are about 70%; whereas in stage IV, where it has metastasised to other parts of the body, survival is about 1%. Even for patients with locally advanced tumours, survival over 5 years is only about 10%. Therefore every effort should be undertaken to diagnose early in the course of the disease."
"Developing better tools for distinguishing between lung cancer and other lung diseases will help us offer greater hope for patients," added Prof Huber.
In one study presented at the conference, Italian researchers compare two computed tomography techniques for diagnosing indeterminate lung lesions, finding that a form of single-photon emission computed tomography could offer an alternative method in situations where positron emission tomography is not available.
In another abstract, UK scientists report that a new approach to diagnosis that ensures a patient has had a chest CT scan before they attend a clinic has the potential to reduce the time between their first abnormal chest X-ray and final diagnosis.
Also during the conference, Greek investigators suggest that they may have found a new factor that will help indicate a patient's prognosis at the time of diagnosis. Their work indicates that the expression of specific cell surface molecules on tumour cells correlates with clinical parameters. The results "could comprise a promising prognostic factor in lung carcinomas, thus presenting exciting possibilities for the future."
The EMCTO Conference is co-organized by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO), the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS).
Meeting venue
The European Multidisciplinary Conference in Thoracic Oncology (EMCTO) will take place at the Palazzo dei Congressi, Lugano.
Services for media representatives
A fully equipped press room will be in operation at the conference with Internet access and telephone lines for registered reporters.
You will have access to all the scientific sessions and the possibility to schedule one-on-one interviews with top speakers and presenters of the studies, both in presence and remotely. Please contact the ESMO Communication Dept. at media@esmo.org to already find out about the preliminary timetable or to book a telephone hook up.
The conference full program is available at http://www.esmo.org/events/lung-2009/program.html
Media registration
To register for the conference as a media representative, please visit http://www.esmo.org/newsroom/events/ and send the Complimentary Media Registration form to the ESMO Head Office.
Accomodation
For hotel reservation, please visit: http://www.esmo.org/events/lung-2009/book-hotel.html
For media inquiries, please contact:
ESMO Press Office
Tel. +41 91 973 19 07
Fax +41 91 973 19 93
Mobile +41 76 305 82 68
E-mail media@esmo.org
Press Room Opening hours
Friday, 1 May 13:00 – 18:00
Saturday, 2 May 8:00 – 18:00
Sunday, 3 May 8:00 – 12:00
Notes to Editors
About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is a non-profit organization which promotes medical oncology and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment.
ESMO is a community of oncology professionals that unites key stakeholders who share the common objective of preventing cancer, fostering a favourable environment for scientific research, and advocating for equal access to high quality cancer treatment. As the leading European professional medical oncology society, ESMO offers state-of-the-art educational and training programs which provide the oncology community with a platform to disseminate the most up-to-date scientific research and information available. ESMO's scientific journal, Annals of Oncology, ranks among the top clinical oncology journals worldwide. ESMO is an authoritative voice in the fight against cancer and offers consultative expertise to oncology organizations and European authorities on important issues related to cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.
For more information, please visit: www.esmo.org
About the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO)
ESTRO, the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, with more than 5000 members is the prime European platform for Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, Radiation Biologists and Radiation Therapy Technologists. The aim of ESTRO is to improve the care of cancer patients by advancing radiotherapy in all its scientific, clinical, technological and quality assurance aspects. For this ESTRO offers mono- and multidisciplinary scientific conferences in all fields of radiation oncology which attract many thousand participants each year. With close to 30 courses and more than 3000 students each year, ESTRO is the prime provider of scientific teaching for European trainees and specialists in all fields of radiation oncology. ESTRO's board, committees and the 20 officers of the Brussels office provide state-of-the-art information and counsel for members, national societies, politicians, administration, health care providers, and patients. ESTRO works in many networks and strongly believes in a patient oriented, research based and multidisciplinary future of oncology.
For further information, please visit: www.estro.org
About the European Respiratory Society (ERS)
The ERS is a not-for-profit international medical organization composed of nearly 9000 individual members in over 100 countries who represent clinicians, chest physicians, allied health professionals in the field of respiratory medicine across Europe and globally. It is the pre-eminent medical society in Europe in its field and represents the main forum for exchange and continuing education for medical doctors and scientists engaged in basic, translational and applied lung science in Europe and beyond. The mission of the ERS is to alleviate suffering from respiratory disease and to promote lung health through research, knowledge sharing, medical and public education and advocacy. This is accomplished by promoting basic, epidemiological and clinical respiratory research, collecting and disseminating scientific information, organizing congresses and conferences, producing scientific publications, supporting training and continuous education in respiratory medicine and collaborating with organizations representing patients.
For further information, please visit: www.ersnet.org
About the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS)
The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) represents Europe's thoracic surgeons. ESTS has over 920 members and welcomes thoracic surgeons from all countries. Our mission is to improve the care of thoracic surgical patients through the education and support of thoracic surgeons in Europe and worldwide.
The ESTS Annual Meeting on General Thoracic Surgery held in June each year is a major part of the mission of ESTS to improve healthcare and education in general thoracic surgery. Outstanding invited specialists participate in the Scientific Program and their presentations provide delegates with information on the latest developments in basic science, clinical treatment and research of thoracic diseases.
For further information on the activities of ESTS, please visit: www.ests.org
Journal
Lung Cancer