David Thomas, FRACP, PhD
2018 President of CTOS
2018 sees the Connective Tissue Oncology Society enter its twenty-third year as an incorporated entity. CTOS has grown enormously as an organisation over that time, impressively fulfilling its primary role as the peak body representing the sarcoma community. From a member survey conducted last year, the CTOS community includes medical and pediatric oncology, surgical and radiation oncology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, pathology diagnostic imaging, nursing, as well as both lab-based and clinical researchers. The broad age range (from less than 25 to over 65 years) includes more than 30% under 45 years of age. Finally, we have representatives from every region on the globe, with an increasing number from the Asia-Pacific.
As initiated By Steve Lessnick last year, it is timely to celebrate both the wonderful growth of CTOS as an organisation, and to reflect on how that growth in numbers and diversity should influence our society, from considering new opportunities to improve outcomes for our patients and their families, to how we run the annual meeting. It is pleasing to hear an active debate on these issues, particularly from our ‘youngsters’: the future of CTOS will ultimately be in their hands. Continuing that debate and increasing engagement will be an object for 2018.
I wish you all a terrific year, and look forward to seeing you in Rome!