Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is with great excitement that I announce the first edition of iARTIST – International Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques Symposium, which will take place on June 11–13, 2026, at Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent, Turkey.
Our mission
The primary aim of iARTIST is to create a dedicated platform where technological innovations in radiotherapy are not a side note, but the central focus. At many large international meetings, technological advances are often discussed briefly, despite their transformative impact on cancer care. With iARTIST, we are bringing them to the forefront—exploring in depth how they improve survival, enhance quality of life, and redefine the standards of patient treatment.
Equally importantly, iARTIST is designed as an inclusive forum:
- For colleagues working in regions with limited access to advanced technology, it will be a window to new possibilities, offering guidance on how innovation can be gradually implemented.
- For centers already applying modern techniques, it will provide a space to exchange practical experiences and present diverse approaches to using technology effectively.
- For young colleagues, it will serve as a unique opportunity to learn, present, and connect, ensuring their contributions are visible and valued alongside those of international experts.
By bringing together these diverse perspectives, iARTIST aims not only to advance knowledge but also to bridge global gaps in access and expertise.
The evolving role of radiotherapy
Radiation oncology is one of the medical specialties most rapidly adapting to technological advances. Rapidly evolving imaging techniques and treatment delivery have enabled not only more precise and efficient treatments but also the introduction of approaches that were unimaginable until recently. These innovations extend beyond treatment methods, directly impacting both patient survival and quality of life. Moreover, given the financial burden of modern cancer care, radiation oncology offers a uniquely cost-effective approach, driven by continuous technological innovation.
The need for a dedicated platform
All these factors underline the importance of a meeting like iARTIST, created to highlight rapid technological progress in our field. The symposium will focus on innovations, advanced techniques, and modern treatment approaches in radiation oncology. Topics will span from stereotactic radiosurgery to particle beam therapy, from reirradiation to adaptive radiotherapy, covering the entire spectrum of contemporary radiotherapy.
Another key objective is to examine how these advanced techniques directly influence clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life. With this vision, iARTIST aims to distinguish itself from other international meetings.
To achieve this, we warmly invite you to contribute. By submitting your abstracts, you will have the opportunity to share your own experiences, present original research, and highlight the impact of advanced radiotherapy techniques in your practice. Selected contributions will enrich the scientific program and ensure that diverse perspectives from all around the world are represented.
The artistic theme
Each year, iARTIST will be shaped around an artistic theme. Its first edition will be held under the title: “Improvising with Precision: Jazz & the Art of Radiotherapy.”
While our clinical practice is guided by rules and guidelines, a closer look reveals subtle nuances in both treatment approaches and technical details. Each radiation oncologist and their team perform their craft with an artistic touch. Uncovering and sharing these nuances is only possible through scientific meetings and academic discussions with experts./span>
In this spirit, our first meeting will explore the creative improvisations of technical progress, much like in jazz, and emphasize that every detail—although it may appear random—is in fact part of a carefully orchestrated technique.
Istanbul – the meeting point of the world
This symposium will offer young colleagues the opportunity to hear from international experts and be inspired by how technology can be personalized. It will also provide a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking with clinicians from around the world.
Alongside its rich scientific content, iARTIST will feature a sophisticated social program, bringing together experts from East to West in the unique crossroads city of Istanbul.
Why should you attend iARTIST?
Because iARTIST is more than a scientific meeting—it is a movement.
Here, you will:
- Be inspired by the pioneers who are shaping the future of radiation oncology.
- Discover innovation at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and clinical practice.
- Engage in dialogue with leading international experts in an intimate, interactive setting.
- Expand your network and open doors to future collaborations, fellowships, and global projects.
- Experience Istanbul, a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly—providing the perfect backdrop for a meeting that unites tradition with innovation.
Most importantly, as part of the first generation of iARTIST participants, you will help building tradition that will continue to inspire the international radiation oncology community for years to come.
It will be my great pleasure to welcome you to Istanbul in June 2026 for what I hope will become a lasting tradition in radiation oncology. As the first participants and supporters, you are warmly invited to join us at iARTIST.
Warmest regards,
Banu Atalar, MD, Prof.
President, Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology
Congress President, iARTIST