APAO Association of PAs in Oncology

APAO Association of PAs in Oncology To promote the utilization of PAs in the delivery of the best possible care available to people with cancer and related diseases

The APAO is a non-profit specialty organization affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) that consists of PAs working in the field of oncology. It is the only national organization representing PAs specializing in oncology. Our members practice in both clinical and research settings. The APAO boards of directors meets annually at the AAPA national conference and communicate throughout the year. The APAO holds an annual conference to educate health care professionals about oncology principles, current practices and new developments. The APAO awards an annual scholarship to a PA student that is interested in pursuing a career in oncology.

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and APAO is proud to recognize the hardworking oncology physician associates ...
09/16/2026

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and APAO is proud to recognize the hardworking oncology physician associates who treat this disease every day.

This year, the National Cancer Institute estimates 67,790 new cases of leukemia and 79,320 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the US, two of the several diseases that fall under the blood cancer umbrella. These cancers can present with symptoms that are subtle, vary by individual, and can look different across skin tones, making them easy to overlook early on.

Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections or recurring fevers, easy bruising or unusual bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, and severe night sweats are all worth a closer look. These symptoms can mirror less serious illnesses, so they warrant medical evaluation and appropriate testing.

If these signs persist, encourage timely evaluation. Together, we can raise awareness, support early detection, and save lives.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and APAO stands with the children and families affected by cancer and the...
09/14/2026

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and APAO stands with the children and families affected by cancer and the physician associates who care for them.

In the US, about 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year, and around 1,600 die from the disease, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Leukemias, brain and central nervous system tumors, lymphomas, and neuroblastoma are among the most common types.

Thanks to decades of research, the five-year survival rate for childhood cancer has climbed from around 60% in the 1970s to more than 80% today, though outcomes still vary by cancer type and stage.

Behind every one of these numbers is a child and a family whose world can change overnight. This month, APAO is recognizing the oncology PAs who walk alongside them and encouraging anyone with concerns about a child's health to seek timely evaluation.

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and APAO is proud to help raise awareness of these diseases while recog...
09/10/2026

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and APAO is proud to help raise awareness of these diseases while recognizing the oncology physician associates who care for patients every day.

According to the Foundation for Women's Cancer, a gynecologic cancer is diagnosed approximately every six minutes. There are five main types: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. Uterine cancer is the most commonly diagnosed.

Of the five, only cervical cancer has a recommended routine screening test for people at average risk, which makes symptom awareness especially important. Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, bloating, changes in bathroom habits, and vulvar changes are all worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Together, we can raise awareness, support earlier detection, and help protect the patients we serve.

More than 200 physician associates, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physicians joined us in New York for our 29th ...
09/09/2026

More than 200 physician associates, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physicians joined us in New York for our 29th Annual Symposium, four days built around one goal: turning clinical vision into reality.

Oncology Nursing News sat down with APAO President Cory Edgar DMSc, PA-C, to talk about what makes the symposium different. "We're also really big on networking, creating some community and connection in the oncology space," Edgar said, calling professional development a top priority for every attendee.

It's a sentiment echoed throughout the week. Oncology PAs and NPs are often the ones patients see most consistently, and this year's panel-style sessions gave attendees a direct line to the clinical leaders shaping where the profession goes next.

Catch the full recap from Oncology Nursing News: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/apao-2026-oncology-pas-convene-for-29th-annual-symposium

Why can combining treatments, rather than relying on just one, be important in treating brain metastases?At APAO's 29th ...
09/08/2026

Why can combining treatments, rather than relying on just one, be important in treating brain metastases?

At APAO's 29th Annual Symposium in New York, Jennifer Fisher, PA-C, of NYU Langone Health, led the session "Brain Mets 101," covering the evolving treatment landscape for brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease.

In an interview with Oncology Nursing News following the session, Fisher explained that a multimodal approach can combine surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy rather than relying on any one treatment alone. She also pointed to a new generation of systemic drugs with stronger pe*******on into the central nervous system, noting that they are helping patients live longer than earlier treatment timelines predicted.

Read the full interview from Oncology Nursing News: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/apao-2026-jennifer-fisher-on-multimodal-care-for-brain-metastases

How does a cancer patient's day-to-day care get divided between a physician and a PA? At APAO's 29th Annual Symposium in...
09/04/2026

How does a cancer patient's day-to-day care get divided between a physician and a PA?

At APAO's 29th Annual Symposium in New York, Mark Honor, PA-C, of Moffitt Cancer Center, led the session "Managing Common Adverse Events in the Oncology Patient," discussing the role oncology PAs play in ongoing patient care.

In an interview with Oncology Nursing News following the session, Honor explained that physicians focus on new diagnoses and initial treatment planning, then transition day-to-day management to the PA, who oversees the daily course of therapy, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, infections, and blood transfusions.

"Once they hand that patient off to me, I'm the manager," Honor said, noting that this structure frees physicians to focus on new consultations while PAs and NPs practice at the top of their licenses.

Read the full interview from Oncology Nursing News: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/apao-2026-mark-honor-on-the-role-of-pas-as-oncology-care-managers

How do oncology physician associates and nurse practitioners keep up with fast-moving prostate and GU cancer data?At APA...
09/03/2026

How do oncology physician associates and nurse practitioners keep up with fast-moving prostate and GU cancer data?

At APAO's 29th Annual Symposium in New York, Angela Jia, MD, PhD, of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Inc., led the session "Content from ASCO: Prostate/GU," breaking down recent genitourinary cancer trial data for oncology PAs and NPs.

In an interview with Oncology Nursing News following the session, Jia noted that PAs and NPs are often the team members with the most consistent patient contact, putting them in a strong position to catch subtle changes and manage treatment toxicities. She also pointed to the value of sessions that translate complex conference data into practical strategies, since nuances in trial results can otherwise get lost.

Read the full interview from Oncology Nursing News: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/apao-2026-dr-angela-jia-on-navigating-data-in-prostate-and-gu-cancer

Congratulations to Colleen Tetzlaff, MHS, PA-C, of Fox Chase Cancer Center, recipient of the 2026 APAO Lifetime Achievem...
09/02/2026

Congratulations to Colleen Tetzlaff, MHS, PA-C, of Fox Chase Cancer Center, recipient of the 2026 APAO Lifetime Achievement Award.

Colleen received the award at the 29th Annual Oncology Symposium. In a recent interview with Oncology Nursing News, she discussed how quickly the field of oncology continues to change after more than 20 years in practice.

Read her full interview on staying current in a fast-moving field: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/apao-2026-colleen-tetzlaff-on-navigating-evolving-oncology-landscapes

Missed a moment from the 29th Annual APAO Oncology Symposium? Relive it now: the full event photo gallery is live at htt...
08/31/2026

Missed a moment from the 29th Annual APAO Oncology Symposium? Relive it now: the full event photo gallery is live at https://oncologypas.org/symposium/gallery-2026, or keep reading for details.

Held in New York City, this year's symposium brought together oncology physician associates from across the country for four days of education, connection, and celebration. Browse photos from both days of the event, capturing sessions, panels, and the moments in between.

View the full gallery: https://oncologypas.org/symposium/gallery-2026

Save the date! The 2027 APAO Annual Symposium will take place September 23-26 at the Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter on...
08/18/2026

Save the date! The 2027 APAO Annual Symposium will take place September 23-26 at the Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

The Annual Symposium brings oncology physician associates together to share ideas, strengthen their practice, and connect with colleagues from across the field. Set against the backdrop of San Antonio’s Riverwalk in the fall, it will be a valuable opportunity to learn, engage, and build community.

By attending, you’ll:

• Explore best practices in oncology care with fellow PAs

• Discover new ideas to apply in your own practice

• Experience the latest technology and innovations from sponsors

• Connect in person with peers and industry leaders

Stay tuned for registration details. We hope to see you there!

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Altamonte Springs, FL

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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