Dear Colleagues, Members of IASO, and Esteemed Friends in the Field of Cancer Surgery,

At the outset, I am deeply honored to assume the role of President of IASO, an organization that has been the cornerstone of surgical oncology in India since its formation in 1977. I am grateful to the entire IASO fraternity for their confidence and trust.

This year holds special significance as IASO enters its Golden Jubilee Year (1977–2026) — marking five decades of excellence, education, and evolution in surgical oncology. During these years, IASO has united generations of onco-surgeons, fostered academic growth, and built a strong foundation for multidisciplinary cancer care in our nation. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we also renew our collective commitment to strengthen and expand the reach of surgical oncology across India.

With over three decades in surgical oncology and leadership as Medical Director and Head of Surgical Oncology at Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Hyderabad, I combine clinical excellence, academic expertise, and a steadfast commitment to advancing surgical oncology in India.

Vision & Priorities

As we embark on this term, I would like to outline key priorities that I believe will strengthen IASO’s role and impact:
1. Elevating Surgical Oncology Training & Skill-Development
   • We will focus on enhancing training pathways from MCh and DNB programs to advanced fellowships so that young onco-surgeons receive rigorous, up-to-date mentorship and operative exposure.
   • Promote workshops, live operative demonstrations, and proctoring of minimal access / robotic surgeries to keep pace with evolving technology.
2. Promoting Academic & Research Excellence
   • IASO’s official journal and conferences have been instrumental in sharing knowledge. I envision further strengthening research collaborations across centers, encouraging multicentre trials, and promoting publication of high-quality surgical oncology outcomes from India.
   • We will broaden the reach of our annual NATCON, Midterm meetings, and regional zonal events — ensuring representation of younger members, trainees, and emerging practitioners.
3. Fostering Multidisciplinary & Equitable Care
   • Surgical oncology cannot advance in isolation. We will collaborate closely with medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, imaging, palliative care, and allied disciplines to ensure holistic cancer care across India.
   • A special priority will be to expand access to high-quality surgical oncology in underserved regions, and to support outreach, training, and resource-appropriate protocols for resource-constrained settings.
4. Strengthening the IASO Community & Member Engagement
   • Our members are the strength of this association. We will enhance online resources (webinars, masterclasses, surgical video libraries) and increase opportunities for networking, mentorship, and leadership development.
   • Transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration will guide our functioning—because when one of us succeeds, the specialty advances as a whole.

A Call to Action

To each surgeon reading this message: I invite you to actively participate in IASO’s mission — attend our meetings, contribute to our journal, mentor a younger colleague, undertake research, and serve as ambassadors of quality cancer surgery in your region.

As IASO celebrates its Golden Jubilee (1977–2026), we not only look back with pride at our achievements but also look forward with purpose — to build upon this legacy with innovation, integrity, and compassion.

Cancer remains one of the greatest challenges to health in our country. With its legacy of over fifty years, IASO is well-placed to lead the transformation of surgical oncology in India. Together, we will strive to raise the standard of care, expand access, enable innovation, and uphold the highest ethics of our specialty.

I look forward to working with you, learning from you, and together making the coming years a chapter of growth, excellence, and meaningful impact for IASO and for the countless patients we serve.

With profound gratitude,
Dr T Subramanyeshwar Rao
President IASO
Chairman Academic Council
Medical Director, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Centre, Hyderabad