About PSO
HISTORY & MILESTONES
1964 | First officers elected; induction held at Holiday Inn, Pasay |
1964 | PSO founded on October 16 in Quezon City |
1968 | Cancer data confirmed by Central Tumor Registry; shared internationally |
1984 | Dr. Teodoro Nuguid revives PSO after a period of inactivity |
1985 | First annual meeting held at Manila Garden Hotel; membership increases rapidly |
1987 | 1st Cancer Congress hosted at Hotel Intercontinental, Manila |
1996 | 4th Cancer Congress held in partnership with major oncology societies |
1997 | PSO officially incorporated with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) |
1998 | PSO acquires office at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City |
1999 | First National Cancer Research Forum held |
2000 | First Mid-Year Scientific Meeting and outreach held in Subic, Zambales |
2000 | PSO Office renovated to include a library and gallery of past presidents |
2023 | First Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Cup |
2023 | Relaunch of the Annual Research Forum |
2023 | PSO joins the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) |
2024 | Fourth PSO/PSMO Handbook of Clinical Oncology: Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy for Cancer |
2025 | PSO hosts Best of ASCO |
2025 | PSO joins the UICC World Cancer Leaders Summit |
VISION
A multidisciplinary medical professional organization devoted to the study, prevention, diagnosis, and management of cancer.
MISSION
To be an internationally recognized oncology society which aspires that every Filipino with cancer receives compassionate care by a multidisciplinary team, committed to excellence.
CORE VALUES
We adhere to professionalism, compassion, excellence and holistic care.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Philippine Society of Oncologists follows the
In response to the growing burden of cancer in the Philippines, a pioneering group of doctors—fresh from post-graduate training abroad—founded the Philippine Society of Oncologists (PSO) on October 16, 1964 in Quezon City. Their goal: to establish a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to cancer care.
Dr. Leon Lopez was elected the first president, and under his leadership and those who followed, the PSO began shaping the country’s oncology landscape. Despite periods of inactivity due to national and personal challenges, the society was revived in 1984 under Dr. Teodoro Nuguid. From then on, PSO steadily grew—hosting conventions, launching scientific publications, and collaborating on national cancer protocols.
In 1997, PSO was formally incorporated, and by 1998, established its Secretariat at St. Luke’s Medical Center. The society continues to lead in cancer education, research, and collaboration with over 300 members across oncology subspecialties.