Course Report

 14 to 18 June 2024, Porto, Portugal

My name is Syadwa Abdul Shukor. I am a clinical oncologist by training, currently practising in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore. I’ve always been drawn to brachytherapy because of its ability to deliver high-dose, conformal radiation precisely to tumours while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. It’s a discipline that blends technical precision, procedural skill, and multidisciplinary collaboration—qualities that make it both intellectually stimulating and clinically rewarding. This passion led me to attend this ESTRO course.

 This was also my first time visiting Porto, and the city’s charm, warmth, and hospitality made the experience even more memorable. The five-day course was well-structured and immersive, covering a broad spectrum of brachytherapy applications from gynaecological, prostate, and breast cancers to more specialised areas such as head-and-neck, skin, oesophageal, bronchial and ocular, and even paediatric tumours. Teaching methods included high-quality lectures, case discussions, procedural videos, and live demonstrations.

 A highlight was the hands-on training. Before the course, we completed cervical and prostate contouring cases via the Educase platform. These were reviewed during the course with faculty feedback, and this enabled us to compare our work with expert benchmarks. This reinforced the practical learning and helped to sharpen our skills. The faculty were outstanding global leaders in brachytherapy who were approachable, engaging, and generous with their insights. Their practical advice on the management of anatomical challenges, working with limited resources, and optimisation of plans within clinical constraints was particularly valuable and underscored the adaptive nature of the field.

 The programme included interactive dosimetry sessions with physicists and applicator demonstrations by Elekta and Varian. Innovative topics such as 3D printing and comparisons with proton therapy were also featured, offering fresh perspectives especially relevant in paediatric practice.

Beyond the academic content, what stood out was the spirit of collaboration. The course brought together a diverse, international group of professionals, including radiation oncologists, physicists, and radiation therapists. Informal conversations during coffee breaks and the well-planned social dinner fostered meaningful exchanges and lasting friendships.

 In summary, the ESTRO brachytherapy course was both enriching and inspiring. It has strengthened my clinical foundation, enhanced my technical confidence, and deepened my commitment to expanding brachytherapy services at my centre, particularly for skin and rectal cancers, in which organ preservation is key. I truly hope that a course of this calibre can one day be hosted in Asia to benefit more clinicians in our region. I’m sincerely grateful to the organisers and faculty for an exceptional educational experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone keen on advancing their expertise in brachytherapy.

Syadwa Abdul Shukor MD, MMed (Clinical Oncology), FRCR (UK)
Department of Radiation Oncology
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

assyadwa@gmail.com, syadwa_shukor@nuhs.edu.sg