Northeast India has the dubious distinction of having among the highest incidences of cancer in India and the inadequate treatment facilities have traditionally resulted in poor treatment outcomes. While the Oncology services were initially provided by 'Clinical Oncologists'(Radiation Oncologists who administered chemotherapy too), the need to provide curative treatment options, primarily provided by Surgical Oncologists, was deeply felt.

Though there were multidisciplinary oncology associations in Northeast India, the steadily growing group of young Surgical Oncologists of the region were contemplating on a platform to encourage one another and to share ideas.

Dr. Caleb Harris had successfully bid to organize the Midterm Conference of the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (MIDCON IASO 2022) at Shillong, which was the first physical event of the IASO after a long hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This event gave the impetus to form an association for Surgical Oncologists of North East India.

A CME cum planning meeting was held at the Hotel Gateway Grandeur, Guwahati on 13th November, 2021 wherein a draft of the Memorandum of Association(MoA) was presented and adopted by all. This hybrid meeting(online-offline) was convened after discussions with representatives of all the states of the region. The office bearers were selected unanimously and were entrusted with the responsibility of registering the association with the Assam Registrar of Societies. The MoA, while drawing from other similar associations, was tailored to the needs of the region, respecting the socio-cultural diversity. Careful consideration was given to make the association inclusive, to ensure surgical oncologists with different sub-specialisations and various training backgrounds would feel at ease.

The task of designing the logo was given to the creative and dynamic Dr. Gaurav Das who personally crafted the design depicting a crab divided by a scalpel. The Association was formally launched on the 26th of March, 2022 at Shillong, during the inaugural program of MIDCON IASO 2022 by Mr. James Sangma, Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya. The presence of the members of the association enabled the successful conduct of the conference, which announced the formation of NASO to the entire nation.

The tireless efforts of Dr. Jadunath Borgohain in registering the association with the registrar of societies bore fruition on the 2nd of July, 2022 when the registration certificate was issued(RS-KAM(M)-01-263-233 of 2022-2023). Following this a PAN registration was made and a bank account opened.

Membership was opened to those eligible as per the MoA and activities of NASO began. The following are the first office bearers of NASO:

Designation	Name
President	Dr Joydeep Purakayastha
Vice President	Dr Siddartha Hazarika
Secretary	Dr Caleb Harris
Joint Secretary	Dr Gaurav Das
Advisor	Dr B.K. Das
Advisor	Dr Utpal R.Das
Treasurer	Dr Abhijit Talukdar

Executive Members
Dr Ganesh Das
Dr Ritesh Tapkire
Dr Diganta Das
Dr Aftab Ahmed
Dr Keduovinuo Keditsu
Dr Ashish Gupta
Dr Dhanbir Thangjam
Dr Rajib Paul
Dr Dilip Kiling