CARG at SIOG 2025

SIOG 2025 Recap: 25 Years of Advancing Geriatric Oncology

The 25th Annual International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) Conference, held November 20th – 22nd in Ghent, Belgium, marked a milestone in advancing care for older adults with cancer. With the theme “Bridging Research and Clinical Practice in Geriatric Oncology,” the meeting brought together global leaders, patient advocates, and researchers to reflect on progress and chart the next era of innovation. CARG was proud to play a central role in shaping these conversations.

A highlight was the Celebration Session, featuring founding members and past presidents, including Hans Wildiers, Martine Extermann, Stuart Lichtman, and Grant Williams, who celebrated the field’s origins and shared their vision for the future.

One of the most anticipated sessions was the Plenary on Defining and Preventing Overtreatment and Undertreatment in Older Adults with Cancer, featuring CARG’s own Dr. William Dale, who presented “Defining over- and undertreatment in older adults with cancer: toward a universal standard.” This session underscored the urgent need for a universal framework to guide treatment decisions. Complementing this perspective, patient advocate Ann Pennella delivered a powerful talk on “What ‘overtreatment’ and ‘undertreatment’ means to patients, and how oncology teams can work with patients to achieve the ‘right treatment.'” Their insights highlighted the importance of aligning clinical decisions with patient values – a theme echoed throughout the conference.

The role of geriatric assessment in optimizing treatment was further explored by Dr. Melissa Loh, who emphasized how comprehensive assessments can help avoid both extremes of care. Patient voices were front and center in the session on sociocultural aspects of shared decision-making, where Beverly Canin spoke on “The role of patient preferences in shared decision-making.” These discussions reinforced the principle that patient-centered care is not optional – it is essential.

CARG also showcased its leadership in research infrastructure through “Building the Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) Geriatric Oncology Therapy Optimization (GOTO) Program Research Infrastructure: Implementation of 6 Patient-Centered Geriatric Oncology Trials,” presented by Vani Katheria. This initiative represents a major step toward creating scalable, patient-focused trials that address the unique needs of older adults.

Education remained a cornerstone of the meeting, with sessions like “How to develop and publish a high-quality geriatric oncology manuscript: the Journal of Geriatric Oncology experience” offering practical guidance for investigators committed to advancing scholarship in the field.

As SIOG celebrated 25 years of progress, the message was clear: the next chapter will be defined by collaboration, implementation, and patient engagement. CARG is proud to lead these efforts, ensuring that older adults with cancer receive the right treatment, at the right time, tailored to their goals and needs.