Brachytherapy is a highly conformal radiotherapy procedure to treat localized malignant diseases (Cancer). This procedure is in practice ever since radium was discovered in the year 1898 by Madame Curie. Since then, there is an ocean level of change in the clinical application of it with innovative procedures and newer radioactive isotopes. With the increased usage of brachytherapy, organ preservation is taking a bigger shape in treatment of cancer. The technological developments have placed brachytherapy in a stronger position in terms of source design, dosimetry, treatment planning and safety. To highlight the concept and applications of brachytherapy, Indian Brachytherapy Society (IBS) was formed in January, 2005, in Chennai.
One of its major objectives is to promote academic activities in brachytherapy by arranging scientific meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences. In this continuation, the IBSCON 2016, the 6th Annual Conference of Indian Brachytherapy Society is to be organized by Dr. V. Srinivasan, Oncologist from Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital in collaboration with AROI (TN&PY) Chapter on August 27th and 28th, 2016, along with a pre-conference workshop on August 26th, 2016.
The theme of the conference, “Brachytherapy - An Immortal Art” is framed because many cancers can be cured in early stages by this treatment and the mainstay for the cure of Carcinoma Cervix, which is a huge burden in India.
The pre-conference workshop was conducted at the Adyar Cancer Institute, inaugurated by Dr. V. Shanta, Chairman of the Institute. The highlight of the workshop was the live demonstration of two brachytherapy procedures; they are Carcinoma of base of tongue and Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the thigh, which are areas that can be cured with brachytherapy. The workshop was focused mainly for the post graduate students as well as the younger Radiation Oncologists and Medical Physicists to enlighten their knowledge in the field of brachytherapy.
The two day conference is continued in Hyatt Regency on August 27th and 28th, 2016. The conference is to be inaugurated by Prof. M. Jagadeesan, former director of Barnard Institute of Radiology & Oncology, Madras Medical College and also the founder member of IBS with Dr. T. G. Govindarajan, the chairman of Dr. KMH, attended by Dr. R. L. Bhalavat, IBS President and Dr. Umesh Mahantshetty, IBS Secretary.
The keynote address is to be delivered by a renowned Professor, Richard Poetter from Vienna University. This conference has scientific sessions which include paper and poster presentations in brachytherapy, attended by 300 delegates all over the country. The lectures are delivered by eminent speakers from all over the nation and abroad, pioneering in the field of brachytherapy.
The conference provides an interactive platform for all the delegates across the country to exchange their ideas and knowledge in the field of brachytherapy.
