Working Group

This working group started in 2000.  The group has finalised the publication of GEC-ESTRO Gynaecological Brachytherapy recommendations: Part II on "Concepts and terms in 3D image based treatment planning in cervix cancer brachytherapy - 3D dose volume parameters and aspects of 3D image-based anatomy, radiation physics, radiobiology".  Recommendations from the Gynaecological (GYN) GEC-ESTRO Working Group (I) have been previously published. Part I:  Concepts and terms in 3D image-based 3D treatment planning in cervix cancer brachytherapy with emphasis on MRI assessment of GTV and CTV, was published in - Radiother.Oncol 2004; 74:235-245. Haie-Meder C, Pötter R, Van Limbergen E et al. 

Following meetings in Chicago (2005) and Washington (2006), the American colleagues have "endorsed" them. Future areas of interest for the working group include intercomparison.

Working group network

The Working Group has set up a Network that has met for the first time in Budapest (May 2005). The Network represents at present the most advanced international activity dealing with the key issues of 3D Gynaecological Brachytherapy.  The insitutions included in this Network are Vienna (AKH), Paris (IGR), Leuven (UZ), Aarhus, Oslo (DNR) , and London (Mount Vernon), Leeds and Dublin.  The Network focuses on Contouring, Applicator Reconstruction, Treatment Planning, Applicator Development and will do some research. 

The Gyn GEC ESTRO network also has close cooperation with US colleagues in this field representing major institutions in this field like MD Anderson Cancer Center, Harvard University, Medical College of Wisconsin, UCSF, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We formed last year the "transatlantic image guided gynaecologic brachytherapy" group with which we have had already three meetings in Chicago, Washington and Milwaukee. These meetings have been supported by Nucletron United States (Schilstra).

The Gyn GEC ESTRO network is further planning to also build up a firm cooperation with dedicated centres of the developing world, where cervix cancer is often still the major cause of death in women. Preliminary talks have been taken place during the last year with centres from South America, Africa, India and Indonesia.

For more information on the network set up by the Working Group please see the GYN GEC-ESTRO Brachytherapy Network pages.