Desert Lung: Updates on Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment 2026

We invite you to a multidisciplinary educational program designed to provide clinicians, advanced providers and trainees with the latest evidence-based advances in the screening, diagnosis, staging, and management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This comprehensive meeting brings together experts in pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, and advanced practice care to address current standards and emerging strategies across the full continuum of lung cancer care. The program begins with a focused review of screening eligibility, incidental pulmonary nodules, and the diagnostic workup of high-risk patients, emphasizing best practices for early detection and timely staging. These sessions aim to help providers improve identification of patients who may benefit from low-dose CT screening and streamline pathways for evaluating suspicious findings. Attention then shifts to management of early-stage NSCLC, with presentations covering surgical decision-making between lobectomy and sublobar resection, the growing role of 3D imaging segmentation and artificial intelligence in treatment planning, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a curative option for selected patients. The latter portion of the conference explores treatment advances for locoregional and metastatic NSCLC. Faculty will discuss perioperative systemic therapies, local ablative approaches, surgical strategies for oligometastatic disease, and modern radiation techniques for locally advanced presentations. These sessions are designed to equip attendees with practical updates that can be integrated into multidisciplinary treatment planning and patient-centered care. Interactive poster sessions throughout the day will highlight innovative research and clinical initiatives, while a live multidisciplinary tumor board and challenging case conference will allow attendees to apply guideline-based principles to real-world scenarios. Desert Lung CME 2026 offers a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to collaborate, network, and gain actionable insights that improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.

Registration Fee
Students - $20
RN, other non-APP allied health professionals - $40
Residents/Fellows - $40
APRN/NP, Advanced Practice Practitioners - $80
Physicians (MD, DO) - $80

1. Screen appropriate high-risk patients for lung cancer using current evidence-based eligibility criteria and low-dose CT recommendations.
2. Evaluate incidental pulmonary nodules using risk-based guidelines and appropriate follow-up pathways.
3. Diagnose suspected NSCLC through appropriate imaging, biopsy selection, and mediastinal staging strategies.
4. Select evidence-based treatment options for patients with early-stage NSCLC, including surgery or SBRT when appropriate.
5. Differentiate candidates for lobectomy, segmentectomy, and sublobar resection based on tumor and patient factors.
6. Apply enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles to optimize perioperative lung cancer care.
7. Incorporate 3D imaging, segmentation tools, and emerging AI applications into treatment planning when appropriate.
8. Manage patients with locally advanced NSCLC using multidisciplinary approaches that integrate systemic therapy, radiation, and surgery.
9. Treat oligometastatic NSCLC using appropriate combinations of surgery, radiation, and local ablative therapies.
10. Integrate perioperative immunotherapy and targeted therapy strategies into treatment planning when indicated.
11. Coordinate multidisciplinary care among pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and radiology teams.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirements of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery’s Continuing Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABTS credit.

In order to report MOC/CC points to specialty boards, the attendee must claim credit by the end of the calendar year AND must complete the MOC/CC section of their CloudCME profile prior to claiming credit.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

A full refund will be issued for requests received up to 7 days prior to the conference.
No refund will be provided once the conference begins.

The organization holding the activity reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, registration fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Continuing Medical Education is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME activity coordinator.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). The CME office reviewers have nothing to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.