The theme of the Adelaide ASM is “Shaping the Future of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment”. 

Head and neck cancer has significant patient morbidity and mortality requiring complex multi-disciplinary care. This was the impetus for forming our society back in 1998 with the goal of promoting quality care for all head and neck cancer patients. The ASM brings us together to share our passion and expertise with the latest advances in treatment of this terrible cancer. This is an exciting time for our patients with the emergence of new therapies such as immunotherapy, FLASH radiotherapy, de-escalation trials, new surgical technologies, and recognition of the importance of survivorship, improving surveillance, providing best supportive care, and improving the quality of life for our patients. 

The Adelaide ASM will include pre-meeting workshops on Thursday 28 August 2025, including a Multi-disciplinary Supportive Care and Survivorship Workshop, convened by Dr Lee Pryor and Tracey Nicholls in conjunction with keynote speaker Professor Jo Patterson, and an exciting opportunity for a tour of the new Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research organised by A/Prof Hien Le. 

We have an exciting line up of invited keynote speakers who will share their expert knowledge and experience with us in Adelaide.

Professor Alexander Lin is the Morton M. Kligerman MD Endowed Professor and Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Joanne Patterson is the Chair of Speech & Language Therapy and Associate Dean for Research at the School of AHP and Nursing, University of Liverpool, UK.

Professor Vincent Vander Poorten is Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and Section Head and Neck Oncologist at the University of Leuven.

Professor Danny Rischin is a medical oncologist/clinician researcher at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Professorial Fellow, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne.

The following sessions and debates at the ASM will inform and stimulate discussion for us: Shaping the future of head and neck cancer treatment, Latest on OPSCC management, Advanced skin cancers, Skull base cancers, The importance of prehabilitation and nutrition in outcomes of head and neck cancer, Changing treatment paradigms in head and neck cancer, Australian cancer nursing navigators and telehealth support, Oral cancer in the non smoking non drinking young patient, Managing recurrent and locally advanced cancers, The unknown head and neck primary, Management of head and neck cancer treatment related morbidity: Dental and facial, Does AI have a role in head and neck cancer management?, Psychosocial and financial impacts of head and neck cancer, Treatment de-escalation: Where are we at?, Putting the patient back together again and The changing face of surveillance. The final session on Sunday will be a highlight and not to be missed, as our keynote speakers address the “Future directions in the treatment of head and neck cancer”.

Adelaide is a welcoming city with excellent restaurants, wine bars, lovely walking trails along the River Torrens and parklands around the city. We have several three hat restaurants in Adelaide including Restaurant Botanic which was named Australia’s Gourmet Traveller restaurant of the year in 2023. Spend a few days in Adelaide before or after the ASM to enjoy the vibrant restaurant scene, and visit the famous Kangaroo Island, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills wine regions. We look forward to seeing many of you attend this meeting to hear about the latest in head and neck cancer, to re-connect with colleagues, to make new connections and to enjoy the city of Adelaide.

Best wishes,

Professor Eng Hooi Ooi
ANZHNCS ASM 2025 Convener