On November 23-24, the 2019 AATS Focus on Thoracic Surgery was held in Chengdu, co-organized by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association (SCIMEA). Undertaken by West China Hospital, the conference also featured collaboration of the Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, AME Publishing Company, the Collaborative Innovation Center of Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy for Lung Cancer of Western China, and the Medical Quality Control Center of Thoracic Surgery of Sichuan Province. The conference invited Chinese and international authoritative thoracic surgery experts to discuss surgical treatment of lung and esophageal cancer with other attendees.

Thomas A. D'Amico from Duke University and Liu Lunxu, Vice President of West China Hospital presided over the Opening Ceremony.  

He Jie, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Director of Cancer Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Director of the National Standardized Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Quality Control Center, and Director of the National Cancer Center, and Shen Ji, Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, attended the Opening Ceremony and addressed the attendees.

He Jie

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Director of Cancer Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Director of the National Standardized Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Quality Control Center, and Director of the National Cancer Center

When congratulating the convening of the conference, He Jie said that the AATS was an internationally renowned academic organization of thoracic surgery with a history of more than 100 years. After seven sessions, this marks the fourth AATS Focus on thoracic surgery in China.

As remarkable as the growing influence of AATS and the rising reputation of China’s surgical techniques in recent years is the number of thoracic surgeons in China, ranking top worldwide. It’s a must for China to strengthen cooperation with AATS to facilitate international exchanges, inspire more foreign professors and experts with its development of thoracic surgery and its medical marvels, and expand its influence of thoracic surgery to the world. At the same time, as the two most deadly malignancies in the world, lung cancer and esophageal cancer are still the focus of attention of patients and thoracic surgeons. However, domestic statistics on these two types of cancer still need to be improved. Comprehensive statistics about lung cancer and esophageal cancer and surgical database will provide accurate data for the standardized diagnosis and treatment and quality control of thoracic surgery.

Shen Ji

Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province

In his speech, Shen Ji said that the health care service system of Sichuan has now shaped up since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with the province’s disease prevention and treatment capabilities enhanced continuously, and the level of health care science and technology improved rapidly. From the control of infectious diseases to the establishment of foundations, the progress and development of Sichuan’ medical care is inseparable from communication and learning. The AATS Focus, as one of AATS's well-designed series of academic education activities, has played a prominent and irreplaceable role in promoting international exchanges on thoracic surgery and cooperation and academic development. The conference provides an international exchange platform for thoracic surgery experts and scholars all over the country. Through inspiring academic presentations and discussions, the conference will have a significant role in promoting international medical academic exchanges and the development of China's health care.

Riveted on lung and esophageal cancer, this year's AATS Focus aimed to share mature technology applications, and explore innovative treatments for better treatment options. The conference comprised lectures, case studies, themed discussions, and video presentations. With more than 50 well-known experts at home and abroad to give special lectures on lung cancer, esophageal cancer and other topics, it put together the great minds together of the medical care community to discuss the latest progress and cutting-edge technologies of lung cancer and esophageal cancer.