On behalf of the European Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (ESGO), we are pleased to welcome you to the 13th International Meeting of ESGO in Brussels from 6 - 10 April 2003.

This special gathering is your opportunity to learn about the latest clinical advances, translational research findings, new medical treatments and new surgical techniques in the field of gynaecologic malignancies including breast cancer.

The Local Organizing Committee and the ESGO Council have set up special sessions: Workshops, Meet the Expert Sessions and Tumor Boards. However, the most important sessions are the free communications, with 24 plenary speakers and 108 oral poster speakers. They say "a picture speaks a thousand words" and we have 2 video sessions and a large display of poster presentations painting thousand of words to help you understand better.

We plan a top quality meeting with many invited speakers and 4 Industry Sponsored Symposia where you will learn about the most recent developments. There will be plenty of time to visit an exhibition of the most important companies.

The ESGO carries on the tradition of dedicating itself to the fight for cures and prevention of gynaecologic cancers and to the further development of Gynaecologic Oncology in Europe. To obtain these goals the ESGO has gone through substantial changes recently. The council now truly reflects representation of a Pan European organization. Furthermore, the main office of ESGO has been relocated to Geneva, Switzerland. The Secretariat of ESGO and the Organization of ESGO13 has been taken care of by our Long-Term Professional Meeting Organizer Kenes International. Last but not least ESGO, has agreed with the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) that both societies will equally own the International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer (IJGC) and that this Journal will be the official publication of both ESGO and IGCS.

To learn more about these changes first hand, ESGO Members are invited and encouraged to attend the Business Meeting on April 9th. All Meeting participants are welcome to hear the Presidential Address earlier the same day.

The Organizing Committee has also arranged a very colourful social program. Be sure you to enjoy the Belgian hospitality and Brussels. Brussels is a little bit of everything; the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium; the headquarters of the French and Flemish Communities, and the capital of the European Union. Brussels, in the heart of Europe, is open to the world and especially to you!