The International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) is set to mark a major milestone this year , its 25th anniversary, with the SIOG 2025 Annual Conference, taking place from 20–22 November in Ghent, Belgium.
As the world’s leading meeting dedicated to cancer care for older adults, the event will bring together oncologists, geriatricians, researchers, and allied health professionals from across the globe to celebrate a quarter-century of advancing geriatric oncology.
A Milestone Gathering
Under the theme of celebrating 25 years of impact, SIOG 2025 will offer an inspiring program combining scientific excellence, educational exchange, and community spirit. Participants can expect world-class plenary sessions, expert-led symposia, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across disciplines.
This year’s edition promises a special touch of celebration, with SIOG hinting at “a musical surprise” to commemorate this landmark anniversary, an invitation to come together not only as professionals, but as a community united by a shared mission: improving cancer outcomes for older adults.
Why It Matters
The growing population of older adults with cancer continues to reshape the global oncology landscape. For 25 years, SIOG has stood at the forefront of this transformation, advocating for evidence-based, patient-centered care that recognizes the unique needs and complexities of aging individuals.
Through its educational programs, clinical guidelines, and research initiatives, SIOG has helped define how geriatric principles integrate into modern oncology, influencing practice standards and policy worldwide.
Looking Back at 2024: Key Highlights and Awards
The SIOG 2024 Annual Conference took place in Montreal, Canada, from 17 to 19 October 2024, under the theme “Promoting Equity and Enhancing Optimal Care Delivery”. The event welcomed over 400 participants from more than 30 countries, highlighting the growing global relevance of geriatric oncology.
The scientific program featured an impressive 24 sessions, four workshops, and 127 talks, complemented by 54 oral abstract presentations and 175 onsite posters selected from 244 submissions. The sessions spanned a wide range of topics, including clinical trials and precision medicine in older adults, the biology and epidemiology of cancer and aging, strategies for improving care delivery in diverse populations, supportive care for older adults and caregivers, and educational initiatives to enhance geriatric oncology knowledge and practice.
Workshops addressed essential aspects of the field such as geriatric assessment, grant writing for cancer and aging research, and strategies for engaging patients and advocates in clinical trials. A major scientific highlight was the discussion of novel therapies — including antibody-drug conjugates and T-cell engagers and the growing recognition of the need to integrate geriatric assessment tools into trials involving these treatments.
Highlights from SIOG 2024
The conference also honored several outstanding contributors through its annual awards. Dr. Enrique Soto Pérez de Celis received the Paul Calabresi Award for his pioneering work in geriatric oncology research and advocacy. Dr. Joyita Banerjee was named National Representative of the Year, recognized for her leadership in promoting geriatric oncology principles in India.
The BJ Kennedy Award for Best Poster went to Dr. Jessica Krok-Schoen for her study on the E-PROOF trial, an e-intervention exploring protein intake and resistance training to optimize function in older adults with cancer. A trainee distinction under the same award recognized Dr. Nicholas Legacy for his work on the SOAR trial, which examined remote exercise and education support for older patients and their caregivers.
The Nursing and Allied Health Investigator Award was presented to Kavita Kantilal for her scoping review on pharmacists’ educational needs in optimizing medication use among older adults with cancer. Meanwhile, the Young Investigator Award went to Dr. Sheetal Hardikar for her study on the association between a deficit accumulation frailty index and survival outcomes in older colorectal cancer patients.
The 2024 conference emphasized SIOG’s enduring commitment to equity, diversity, and multidisciplinary collaboration in cancer care for older adults. It reinforced the need for geriatric assessments in oncology trials and laid the groundwork for new partnerships and research directions, paving the way toward SIOG 2025 in Ghent.
Join the Celebration
SIOG 2025 is more than just a conference — it’s a celebration of progress, collaboration, and commitment to the future of geriatric oncology. Registration is now open, with discounted rates available for SIOG members.
Register here: loom.ly/wcc72oY
As SIOG turns 25, the Society invites the global community to be part of this milestone edition — a moment to honor the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future of cancer care for older adults.
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD