Multidisciplinary Management of Head and Neck Oncology - PDF version

Mexico City, Mexico. 28 to 31 October 2019

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself? 

My name is Maria Matilde Bonilla Jara. I am a radiation oncologist from Costa Rica, Central America. I graduated from the Universidad de Costa Rica (University of Costa Rica) in 2010. I have worked in the Hospital México, San José, Costa Rica since 2010 in the head and neck unit of the Haemato-oncology Department.. 

2. Why did you choose to attend this course? (please mention if it’s your ESTRO course)

 I chose to attend the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) course on Multidisciplinary Management in Head and Neck Cancer because I work in the Head and Neck Department and it is very important to be updated on the latest information. 

3. What aspects of the course were the most interesting and why? 

The most interesting part for me was that I saw the different points of view of the medical oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist. Although each one focuses on the treatment they offer, the importance of multidisciplinary management was made very clear on the course. 

4. Did the course activities improve your knowledge and skills in the relevant subject?

Of course! Every class was supported in evidence-based medicine, with excellent compilation of the most recent articles to support the choice of recommended treatments. 

5. Did the course meet your expectations? If so, how? 

Yes, it went beyond what I expected. I feel that the success of the course was the multidisciplinary approach, which enabled us to expand our knowledge of the roles of the surgeon and the medical oncologist when making treatment decisions.
 

6. List three important ‘takeaways’ following the course.

  • Multidisciplinary approach 
  • Clear indications of need for radiotherapy based on evidence  
  • Design of treatment volumes for both the primary tumour and the lymph nodes.


7. How will what you have learnt be implemented in your daily job/ clinical practice? (if applicable)
 
I will update the protocols of my department to implement the current guidelines for treatment volumes and use evidence-based medicine to support treatment decisions.  

8. How would you encourage someone who has never been to an ESTRO Course to join this course next year/ in two years? 

The ESTRO course was one of the most comprehensive courses that I have done. It is 100% recommended! It serves as a review of as well as an update on the multidisciplinary management of head and neck cancer treatment. I believe that we are recommended to update our knowledge every two years.
 


María Matilde Bonilla Jara
Radiation oncologist
Hospital México  Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
San José, Costa Rica
mariamatildebonilla@gmail.com

 

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