IASLC staging classification: A new approach to evaluate and treat lung cancers

What: The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) will hold an expert roundtable and Web cast announcing the recent publication and impact of the IASLC's Staging Manual in Thoracic Oncology containing the recently released 7th Edition of TNM in Lung and Pleural Tumours.

The International Staging Classification System for Lung Cancer provides the basis for evaluating a patient's prognosis and is a valuable aid in the treatment selection for patients with lung cancer. The most recent edition, published in August 2009, contains the first major updates made to lung cancer staging in 12 years. Backed by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), the revised guidelines serve as the first-ever site specific guide on the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification of lung cancer. Based on over 100,000 cases from more than 20 countries, the new staging system will translate into re-assignment of stage for one out of six lung cancer patients and is currently being implemented around the world.

Who: The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Classification Roundtable will feature three of the world's leading lung cancer experts:

• Peter Goldstraw, MD, FRCS, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon, Royal Brompton Hospital; Professor of Thoracic Surgery, Imperial College, London, UK; Past-Chair, IASLC Staging Project will give an overview of the new classifications and how they were determined and organized;

• Frank C. Detterbeck, MD, FACS, FCCP, Professor and Chief, Thoracic Surgery Surgical Director, Yale Thoracic Oncology Program will discuss management implications as they relate to application of this new staging system;

• Jesme Fox, MBChB MBA, patient advocate and Medical Director of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in Liverpool, England, will address what this new initiative will mean for millions of lung cancer patients worldwide.

When: Friday, November 20, 2009 [10:00 a.m. EST/15:00 GMT/16:00 CET]

Webcast Details: The panel discussion will be broadcast over the Internet via Webcast. Participants will be able to view the panelists' slides by logging into the Webcast from their computers, and audio for the presentation can be accessed either from guests' computers or by dialing in using their telephones. During the Q&A session, participants will be able to ask questions by entering their request via the Webcast's chat feature or by alerting the telephone operator.