Course director 

Elizabeth Forde, Radiation Therapist, Trinity College, Dublin (IE)

Teachers 

• Philipp Scherer, Radiation Therapist, UK f Radiotherapy and Radio Oncology at PMU at SALK, (AT)  
• José Luis Lopez Guerra, Radiation Oncologist, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla (ES)  
• Helen Grimes, Medical Physicist, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK) 
• Lisa Wiersema, Radiation Therapist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam (NL)  
• Peter Remeijer, Medical Physicist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam (NL)  
• Sofia Rivera, Radiation Oncologist, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif (FR) 

Local organizer: TBC

Although modern radiation therapy is a group effort of all members of the multidisciplinary team, this course is primarily designed for RTTs. In this way we will be able to give an overview of the steps in modern radiation therapy with enough time to develop tools and skills specific to RTTs. The theory taught in the lectures will be translated into practical sessions when possible.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be able to: 

• Appreciate where modern radiation therapy is at with respect to pre-treatment imaging and target definition, treatment planning and image guidance 

• Appreciate the importance of knowledge of the entire treatment chain of radiation therapy 
• Comprehend and calculate geometrical uncertainties and margins 
• Comprehend the physics of image registration and its influence on clinical image registration 
• Appreciate the importance of quality assurance. 

Course Content

• Pre-treatment imaging modalities: what is available and how is it used in target definition and organ at risk delineation? 
• Patient preparation and immobilisation: what is (im)possible, and is it still important in modern radiation therapy? 
• Geometrical uncertainties and correction strategies: what are the uncertainties in modern radiation therapy and how do correction strategies affect PTV margins? How to calculate your own margins (workshop) 
• Update on advances in radiotherapy treatment planning
• Imaging modalities in the treatment room: what is available and how can it be used to find the target volume? 
• Image registration and evaluation: how to make the best use of the images at hand  
• Understanding algorithms, regions of interest, correction reference points: how to create protocols for IGRT management (workshops and hands-on) 
• Site specific advanced treatment and IGRT techniques 
• Safety issues: the importance of incidence reporting and a feedback loop 
• Implementing and managing advanced treatment techniques: how to implement new gained skills in your department in a multidisciplinary environment.

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course, participants should have an interest in all steps of radiation therapy. All delegates are expected to take part in all lectures, tutorials, and workshops.

Teaching Methods

Approximately (4,5 days/36 h): 

• 23 hours of lectures 
• 3 hours of tutorials 
• 10 hours of practical workshops

Methods of Assessment

• MCQ  
• Delineation exercises 
• Evaluation form

Programme is available here

Key Words

• Radiation therapist (RTT) 
• Pre-treatment imaging 
• Treatment planning 
• Image guidance 
• Geometrical uncertainties

ACCREDITATION

Application for CME recognition will be submitted to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). EACCME credits are recognised by the American Medical Association towards the Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA). Information on the status of the applications can be obtained from the ESTRO office.

Venue

Unicancer

Okabe Bureaux,

67 avenue de Fontainbleau 94 270 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France

Hotels in the area

Hôtel ibis Paris Porte d'Italie

Hôtel Novotel Paris 13 Porte d'Italie

B&B HOTEL Paris Italie Porte de Choisy

Hôtel Ibis Budget Paris Porte d'Italie Ouest

Hôtel Ibis Budget Paris Porte d'Italie Est

Hotel Lodge In Paris 13

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. To benefit from the member registration rate, you must subscribe for the ESTRO membership 2023 BEFORE registering to the course. To become an ESTRO member, benefit from the member registration rate and discover the many other member advantages, please visit the membership page.

Fees

* Members with specialty RadiationTherapist (RTT) may register at the In-Training fee

Early rates are applied up to three months before the starting date of the course.

Late rates are applied three months before the starting date of the course.

The fee includes the course material, coffees, lunches, and the social event.

Advance registration & payment are required.

Since the number of participants is limited, late registrants are advised to contact the ESTRO office before payment, to inquire about availability of places. Access to homework and/or course material will become available upon receipt of full payment.

Insurance and cancellation

The organiser does not accept liability for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. Participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policies.   

In case an unforeseen event would force ESTRO to cancel the meeting, the Society will reimburse the participants fully the registration fees. ESTRO will not be responsible for the refund of travel and accommodation costs.

In case of cancellation, full refund of the registration fee minus 15% for administrative costs may be obtained up to three months before the course and 50% of the fee up to one month before the course. No refund will be made if the cancellation request is postmarked less than one month before the start of the course.

Reduced fees

Members from emerging countries may register at a preferential rate of 350 Euro. Emerging country fee applies to individuals from low-income and lower-middle-income economies according to the World Bank listing here.

Additionally, all specialties from the following countries can benefit from this preferential rate: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine.  In addition, medical physicists from Cyprus can email education@estro.org to apply for this fee.

The preferential rate of 350 Euro is granted automatically when you click on the  BOOK NOW  button and the three conditions below are met:

1. Only ESTRO members for 2023 are eligible (please make sure your 2023 membership is in order before you click on the BOOK NOW  button)
2. Only one course per person per year can be subsidized by ESTRO
3. Sponsored candidates are not entitled to reduced fees (the invoicing address has to be the one of the participant)  

 Please note:

• We can only guarantee a certain number of reduced fees per course
• Application deadlines are the same as early registration fees (3 months before the course date).