Moffitt Physician Elected President Of International Society Of Geriatric Oncology

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 27 Nov 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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Martine Extermann, M.D., Ph.D., of the Senior Adult Oncology program at Moffitt Cancer Center, has been elected president of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) for the fall 2008 to 2010 term. The news was announced at SIOG's eighth meeting Nov. 8 in Madrid, Spain.

"We are very proud. Moffitt is definitely one of the leading programs in geriatric oncology around the world. This is really a key society internationally for geriatric oncology, and I'm very glad we've been represented from the start in the leadership of this society," says Extermann, a founding member of SIOG, which was spearheaded in 2000.

"I believe this is another confirmation of the primary role the Senior Adult Oncology program of Moffitt has in the international community. I believe we can say the world is looking at us to know how to treat older cancer patients and how to build a senior program," says Lodovico Balducci, program leader of Moffitt's Senior Adult Oncology program.

The multidisciplinary society serves geriatric oncologists worldwide in formulating guidelines, presenting evidence-based medicine, training and mentoring. Cancer in the elderly is rapidly becoming a worldwide problem, Extermann says, and through the society, Moffitt will be instrumental in the education of international geriatric oncologists.

As SIOG president, Extermann hopes to create an instrumental resource of geriatric oncologist experts and research in the field. She also plans to beef up the society's long-distance mentoring, which may be instrumental in training junior geriatric oncologists, who often are the only ones in the field at their institutions.

Extermann has been with Moffitt for 12 years. "For me, it's been a great opportunity to be a pioneer in the field," she says.

About Moffitt Cancer Center

Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer and ear, nose and throat. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

Moffitt Cancer Center