Programme

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.

Overview: • Concept of interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) for liver tumours • Technical aspects of CT-guided HDR brachytherapy (“direct hit” technique) • Patient selection and indications in oligometastatic disease • Treatment workflow: planning, catheter placement, and dose delivery • Clinical outcomes and toxicity based on recent multicentre and RWE studies • Comparison with other radiotherapy modalities (SBRT) • Future perspectives of brachytherapy in liver-directed therapy

Overview: Brachytherapy continues to play a pivotal role in modern radiation oncology, offering highly conformal dose delivery and unique radiobiological advantages. This symposium will highlight the most recent clinical and technological advances across major disease sites where brachytherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment. Leading experts will present key innovations in prostate and breast brachytherapy, developments in treatment planning and physics, and new insights in gynecological, head-and-neck, and skin brachytherapy. The session will provide a concise overview of emerging techniques, technological progress, and clinical evidence shaping the future of brachytherapy, emphasizing its continued relevance within precision radiation oncology.

Overview: In this symposium the focus will be on shared decision making in brachytherapy from both a clinical and a patient perspective. The session will first focus on the patients’ knowledge, and understanding on the topic of brachytherapy together with patient barriers for informed decision making. Afterwards the session will focus on the validation of existing shared-decision tools set in clinical scenarios from both a clinical and patient centred choice. Lastly a patient will share her personal experience with brachytherapy and with shared decision in that setting.