The Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI) Gujarat Chapter successfully conducted Guj RadOnc 2025–26 on 18th and 19th April 2026 at Vadodara. Dr Prashant Patel was the organizing chairman and Dr Guru Prasad Mohanty was the organizing secretary. Centered around the theme “The Thinking Beam: Human Expertise, Machine Intelligence,” the conference highlighted the evolving synergy between clinical expertise and emerging artificial intelligence technologies in modern radiation oncology.
The two-day scientific extravaganza featured a highly engaging academic programme encompassing debates, lectures, panel discussions, case-based learning, paper and poster presentations, and AI-focused sessions across multiple disease sites including head & neck, thoracic, gastrointestinal, gynecological, genitourinary, and ocular malignancies.
Day 1 commenced with sessions on Brain and Head-Neck malignancies, where topics such as CTV delineation in nasopharyngeal cancers and timing of radiotherapy in gliomas generated vibrant academic discussions. The challenging head and neck case discussions witnessed enthusiastic audience participation and practical learning.
The Thoracic and Gastrointestinal oncology sessions further enriched the conference with evidence-based deliberations on de-escalation strategies, oligometastatic NSCLC, and the evolving “SANO” approach in esophageal cancers. The gall bladder cancer panel discussion was particularly appreciated for addressing real-world dilemmas frequently encountered in Indian practice.
The Genitourinary and Gynecological oncology sessions showcased contemporary perspectives on adjuvant versus salvage radiotherapy in prostate cancer, optimization of cervical cancer brachytherapy schedules, and evolving management paradigms in vulvar cancers.
The General Body Meeting was held in the evening where President of AROI Gujarat Chapter Dr. Pooja Nandwani Patel, Secretary Dr. Samir Batham and Treasurer Dr. Maitrik Mehta chaired the meeting. Dr. Samir Batham started the GBM with declaration of increase in AROI Gujarat membership number from 204 to 242. Dr. Pooja Nandwani Patel congratulated the organizing committee for the successful meeting attended by over 70 delegates and faculty. It was discussed that the AROI Gujarat Chapter newsletter should be published twice yearly, initially starting with an e-newsletter.It was proposed that Dr. Maitrik Mehta may serve as Editor and Dr. Guru Prasad Mohanty may serve as Co-Editor.Dr. Gopal Maheshwari proposed that if any student achieves a publication in an international journal or equivalent academic work, he would support or provide an amount of ₹15,000.Dr. Samir Batham invited bids for hosting the next state chapter meeting, since there were no bidders he took the responsibility to host the next state chapter meeting which was seconded by Dr. Nilesh Mahale, Dr. Kinjal Jani and Dr. Hemendra Mod.
The second day began with paper and poster presentations by young oncologists and residents, reflecting the growing academic enthusiasm within the state chapter. Scientific deliberations on radio-immunotherapy, including discussions around NIVOPOSTOP and KEYNOTE-A18, highlighted the rapidly expanding role of immunotherapy integration in radiation oncology practice.
A major highlight of the conference was the dedicated session on Artificial Intelligence in Radiation Oncology. Discussions on AI contouring, adaptive radiotherapy, ETHOS AI-driven platforms, and the debate on whether AI would “deskill or empower” radiation oncologists stimulated thought-provoking conversations about the future of the specialty. The session effectively balanced technological advancements with the irreplaceable value of human clinical judgment.
The conference witnessed excellent participation from consultants, residents, postgraduate students, and industry collaborators. The vibrant scientific exchange, active audience interactions, and multidisciplinary participation reflected the academic strength and unity of the AROI Gujarat Chapter. The organizing committee deserves immense appreciation for meticulously curating a contemporary, practical, and forward-looking scientific programme.
