LETTER FROM THE CHAIRS

Dear Colleague,

We warmly invite you to join us for the ESMO Conference: 12th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer to be held in Barcelona, Spain from 30 June to 3 July 2010.

In its twelfth year, and endorsed by leading professional societies and organizations, the Congress is the premier global event in the field, encompassing malignancies affecting every component of the gastrointestinal tract and aspects related to the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancer, including screening, diagnosis and the latest management options for common and uncommon tumors.

With the focus on personalized therapy, multidisciplinary management and unraveling molecular mechanisms, this event will educate and update the broad range of experts who participate in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, providing a clear overview for treatment. Over 70 expert specialists will lead the sessions and meet with participants in small targeted groups, making the scientific agenda the most comprehensive and most effective in addressing the educational needs of physicians. Specialized sessions for nurses, surgeons and young medical oncologists provide enhanced educational opportunities.

Presentation of cutting-edge research has become one of the highlights of the World Congress, offering opportunities for researchers worldwide to interact with colleagues and share their endeavors with the healthcare community.  In 2009, more than 400 abstracts were accepted for presentation and publication in a special supplement to the Annals of Oncology. We invite you to participate in this year’s meeting by submitting an abstract to be considered for presentation.

The ESMO Conference: 12th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer promises to continue the tradition of excellence and stimulate the interest of its participants. We look forward to continuing the journey with you this year.

Mario Dicato, MD
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Eric Van Cutsem, MD, PhD
Leuven, Belgium