History of the society

History of PROS

Initially, the annual meetings of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) served as the forum for paediatric radiation oncology. However, this platform did not provide optimal communication between paediatric radiation oncologists worldwide, addressing, for example, the specific demands on technology, results of clinical trials including radiotherapy, and collaboration with other radiation oncology societies.

In June 2003, a meeting on paediatric radiation oncology was organized in Lyon, France. Over three days, 200 radiation oncologists involved in paediatric radiation oncology shared their experiences, and the resulting discussions between surgeons, paediatricians and radiation oncologists were most fruitful.

The success of the congress prompted the continuation of this experiment and gave rise to the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society. As Paediatric Radiation Oncologists met regularly at the annual SIOP meetings, it was planned in advance to make a formal proposal to form our own independent society. Accordingly, at the Vancouver, Canada, SIOP meeting in 2005, a motion was carried on 19 September 2005 to proceed to form the new organization. The founding members were doctors Christian Carrie, Carolyn Freeman, Sarah Donaldson, Roger Taylor, Patrick Thomas, Shiao Woo and Karen Goddard, with very active technical and administrative support from Thomas Garmier.

PROS was officially created in Lyon on March 1 2006, when the official statutes were given to the Préfecture du Rhône.

List of presidents

  • Mark Gaze (2023 - present)
  • Natia Esiashvili (2020 - 2023)
  • Karen Marcus (2017 - 2020)
  • Rolf-Dieter Kortmann (2014-2017)
  • Carolyn Freeman (2011-2014)
  • Christian Carrie (2005-2011)

Member Emeritus

A Member Emeritus is an esteemed member of PROS who is retiring or has retired. Candidates must be sponsored by two active members or by the Executive Committee. Acceptance requires approval by a majority of the active members at the General Assembly.

Emeritus members have the right to participate in all meetings, but may not vote and are not eligible to hold office on the Executive Committee. However, they may be appointed to other committees, working groups or commissions. Emeritus members shall not be required to pay membership fees.

  • 2015: Giulio D’Angio and Berta Jereb
  • 2017: Patrick Thomas
  • 2019: Foppe Oldenburger
  • 2021: Christian Carrie and Sarah Donaldson
  • 2022: Rolf-Dieter Kortmann
  • 2023: Karen Marcus and Carolyn Freeman

List of congresses

  • Essen, Germany (June 8 - 11 2022)
  • Bangkok, Thailand (June 19 - 22, 2019)
  • New York, NY, USA (June 22-24, 2017)
  • Ljubljana, Slovenia (June 24-27, 2015)
  • Louisville, KY, USA (July 9-11 2013)
  • Venice, Italy (June 21-24, 2011)
  • Montreal, Canada (July 1-3, 2009)
  • Barcelona, Spain (June 27-29, 2007)

List of joint meetings with SIOP

  • Ottawa, Canada (October 11-14, 2023)
  • Virtual Congress (October 20-24, 2021)
  • Virtual Congress (October 14-17, 2020)
  • Kyoto, Japan (November 16-19, 2018)
  • Dublin, Ireland (October 18-22, 2016)
  • Toronto, Canada (October 20-24, 2014)
  • London, UK (October 4-6, 2012)
  • Boston, MA, USA (October 20-23, 2010)
  • Berlin, Germany (October 2-4, 2008)