COURSE DIRECTOR

Philip Poortmans, Radiation Oncologist, Iridum Netwerk & University of Antwerp (BE)

TEACHERS

Marianne Aznar, Medical Physicist, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust & University of Manchester (UK)

Liesbeth Boersma, Radiation Oncologist, Maastricht University Medical Center, Dept Radiotherapy (Maastro), Maastricht (NL)

David Dodwell, Clinical Oncologist, Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Oxford (UK)

Sandra Hol, Radiation Therapist (RTT), Institute Verbeeten, Tilburg (NL)

Orit Kaidar-Person, Radiation Oncologist, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv (IL)

Thorsten Kühn, Gynaecologist, Breast Cancer, Klinikum Esslingen, Esslingen (DE)

Birgitte Offersen, Clinical Oncologist, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus (DK)

Lynda Wyld (UK), Surgeon, Sheffield Hallam University, School of Health, Sheffield (UK)

LOCAL ORGANISER

Laura Cella, Research Scientist, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, Naples, IT

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women. The backbone of optimal breast cancer care is multidisciplinary management involving several different health care professionals. Over recent decades, we have witnessed several changes in our understanding of the complex interactions between loco-regional and systemic treatments. Currently, much attention is being paid towards optimising the use of loco-regional treatments, less when possible and more if needed, with a move towards progressively less extensive surgical approach.

The challenge to integrate all treatments for every single patient requires the optimal cooperation between all specialities. Against this background, radiation and clinical oncologists continue further fine-tuning of the technical aspects of the delivery of radiation therapy, starting from optimal target volume definition. This underlines the importance of an optimal collaboration with imaging specialists, surgeons and pathologists.

This multidisciplinary course aims to promote an integrated approach to the management of breast cancer. The goal is to individualise treatment based on clinical presentation, prognostic (tumour) factors and patient-related factors respecting the need for shared decision-making.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

• Appreciate the epidemiology of breast cancer
• Understand the clinical and biological aspects of breast cancer
• Have a firm knowledge of the different prognostic and predictive factors and tumour sub-types
• Interpret the literature on the results of multimodality treatment of breast cancer
• Discuss with (multidisciplinary) colleagues the balance between benefits and side effects of various treatment options for breast cancer, accounting for prognostic factors and patient-related characteristics
• Apply the guidelines for volume delineation of all target volumes for breast cancer
• Know how to select and use the possible technical solutions for optimal radiation therapy for breast cancer
• Recognise the fields of uncertainty and where further research is required.

COURSE CONTENT

• Epidemiology: lessons from the past, challenges in the future
• The clinically relevant aspects of the biology of breast cancer
• Primary surgery: choices and techniques (including oncoplastic)
• Axillary surgery including limitations of the SN concept
• Modern radiation therapy techniques from treatment planning to image guidance
• Re-irradiation
• Fractionation schedules: from 33 to 5!
• Emerging technique including particle therapy
• Systemic treatment: interactions with radiation therapy, primary versus adjuvant
• Treatment of DCIS
• Treatment possibilities for locally advanced disease
• Summary on (accelerated) partial breast irradiation
• Role of advanced treatment techniques including IMRT and breathing control
• Lessons from meta-analyses of clinical trials
• Cosmetic outcome after BCT
• Long-term side-effects
• Reconstructive surgery
• Current clinical trials
• Target volume delineation including homework and workshops
• Patient management workshops.

PREREQUISITES

Before commencing this course, participants should:

• Have at least basic experience with all aspects of radiation therapy for breast cancer patients. If you are not a radiation/clinical oncologist (in training) you should be involved in the interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary case discussions and perform work related to treating breast cancer patients
• Read some of the most recent articles in the literature concerning multidisciplinary and radiation oncology aspects in breast cancer
• Have completed an exercise beforehand on target volume delineation in breast cancer.

TEACHING METHODS

• Lectures
• Debates
• Practical workshops
• Clinical case discussions
• Meet the professor session

The course will be very interactive through the integration of lectures, target volume delineation (prepared as homework in the framework of blended learning), guidance in treatment planning and patient management workshops. Focused on the multidisciplinary approach, the programme will outline the different treatments for breast cancer from evidence-based medicine to ongoing research.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

• MCQ
• Evaluation form.

Draft programme here

KEY WORDS

Breast cancer, radiation therapy, multidisciplinary, breast conserving therapy, (A)PBI, clinical trials, volume delineation, side effects, quality of life.

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

Hotel Royal Continental

City Via Partenope 38

80121 Naples, Italy

For accommodation reservation, please contact book@royalcontinental.it

For more information, please contact ESTRO Office (BE): Agnès Delmas, Project Manager, adelmas@estro.org, M +32 470 300 448

The best areas to stay are:

Chiaia,  Santa Lucia or Posillipo (see below)

Suggestions of B&B from our local organiser:

Casa Mira Napoli; H. Rooms; Ausonia; Napul'ę; Mergellina resort; I 34 turchi; Luna caprese; Orsini 46

B&B Palazzo Satriano

Relais Piazza Vittoria

Caracciolo 10 (http://www.caracciolo10.it/home.html)

Hotels

Hotel Exe Majestic

Palazzo Alabardieri (https://www.palazzoalabardieri.it/it)

Hotel rex (https://www.hotel-rex.it/)

Poerio 25 Boutique Stay (https://www.poerio25.it/)