We use cookies necessary to giving you a better online experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Yes, I accept
Menu
Search Opener
Multidisciplinary Management of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer - School Corner

 

Multidisciplinary Management of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer - PDF version
7-9 November 2019, Brussels, Belgium

­­­Many thanks for inviting me to write this short review on the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) course on management of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

I have been working in Glasgow, Scotland, for six years as a trainee Clinical (Radiation) Oncologist and am I due to finish my training this year with a view to taking up a post specializing in NMSC.

NMSC is a challenging tumour group to learn about as a trainee, since it shows minimal clinical evidence, and it is treated multimodally through varying practices across Europe. The ESTRO NMSC course offered an ideal opportunity to learn from experts from around Europe, to keep up to date with new techniques and emerging evidence and to learn about non-radiation management of NMSC.

I found the non-radiation management aspect of the course to be most informative and something completely new. Learning about skin brachytherapy and plastic surgery was also very interesting.

From the radiation perspective, the course was ideal for my learning needs. The information regarding up-to-date evidence and the chance to learn peer-to-peer about radiotherapy techniques, dose and fractions were very interesting parts of the course and definitely something I’ll take into my practice. The talks from the tissue viability nurses and specialist radiographers offered excellent insights regarding the day-to-day management of patients.

The course met all my objectives in taking forward my practice to consultant level by offering the opportunity to learn from others and work through the case studies presented.

The important ‘takeaways’ from the course were:

  • There are a number of non-surgical and non-radiotherapy treatments that are suitable for NMSC.
  • Hypofractionated regimens are suitable for most NMSCs.
  • There is often more than one correct way to treat a NMSC with radiotherapy (or surgery!)

From my perspective, the course gave me confidence in my practice and reassurance about hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens. The talks from the specialist tissue viability nurse made me keen to learn more about the management of palliative patients.

I would thoroughly recommend an ESTRO course to anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in radiation oncology. The best aspects were the chance to learn from experts around Europe and listening to opinions and networking with the other delegates attending from Europe, but also from North America and Asia. I will definitely attend this course again in a few years to gather updates.

Dr Brendan McCann
Specialist Registrar in Clinical Oncology
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
1053 Great Western Road,
Glasgow, Scotland
Brendan.mccann@ggc.scot.nhs.uk