Programme

Overview: In this session we will showcase radiation oncology professionals and a patient representative from various parts of the world who have been strong advocates in raising awareness of radiotherapy as a poorly understood, yet vital, cancer treatment. The lack of awareness and misconceptions about radiotherapy lead to chronic lack of funding in most parts of the world, resulting in many people with cancer missing out on the treatment they need. Panel members will discuss the challenges in public and patient perceptions of radiotherapy, the dire consequences of this poor image and awareness problem, as well as ways we, as radiation oncology professionals in partnership with patients, can turn the situation around.

Overview: This Meet the Expert session at European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology explores how to define and apply minimum technical requirements for SBRT across a wide range of indications. While classical scenarios such as prostate SBRT illustrate well-established standards, experts will highlight how requirements evolve in complex, “non-classical” cases, including multi-metastatic treatments and lesions near critical organs at risk. Through practical examples, the discussion will focus on distinguishing mandatory elements, such as motion management, image guidance, and dose calculation—from adaptable components that allow clinical flexibility. Particular attention will be given to balancing target coverage with organ-at-risk sparing in challenging situations. The session aims to provide a disease-agnostic framework to ensure safe, effective, and reproducible SBRT delivery while supporting innovation in increasingly complex clinical contexts.

Overview: The session "The Road Map to RTT-Led Target Definition" explores the evolving role of radiation therapists (RTTs) in contouring and Target definition. Speakers discuss how expanding RTT responsibilities can improve workflow efficiency, support adaptive radiotherapy and optimize multidisciplinary collaboration. Key elements of the road map include advanced education, structured training in anatomy and imaging, clear protocols and strong collaboration with radiation oncologists. Examples from several centers show that with appropriate supervision, quality assurance and standardized guidelines, RTT-led contouring can maintain high clinical quality while reducing physician workload. The session emphasize that empowering RTTs through training and trust is essential for the future of modern, efficient radiotherapy services.

Overview: The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer has changed dramatically over time. This has included the development of a target-volume concept, new applicators, image-guided external beam radiotherapy with volume reduction, concomitant cis-platin-based chemotherapy, and MR image-guided adaptive brachytherapy. These new developments were implemented in the EMBRACE I and II studies, achieving excellent results in terms of both tumour control and a continuous reduction in adverse events over the years. This teaching lecture will integrate the experience from EMBRACE II into clinical practice from clinical and physical perspectives.