Pediatric radiation oncology covers many different and complex fields in pediatric oncology. The distribution of knowledge on a worldwide level is an important component of the teaching course on pediatric radiation oncology co-organized by PROS (Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society) and ESTRO. The rarity of childhood neoplasms and the complexity of their management due to several factors are putting high demands on the application of radiation therapy.

The course not only addresses radiation oncology treatment technologies but aims at providing a comprehensive knowledge of the management of pediatric malignancies, which is mandatory for an optimal management of childhood cancer.

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Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, participants should be familiar with:

• Clinical and biological aspects of the different pediatric malignancies
• Multidisciplinary management concepts in pediatric oncology
• Specific radiation oncology issues, including planning and contouring strategies and delivery techniques adjusted to pediatric malignancies
• Cure rates and late effects
• Toxicity profiles and risk for side effects
• Radiological anatomy and diagnostic imaging for precise treatment planning.

Course content

• Basic aspects in pediatric oncology and systemic therapy
• General consideration in pediatric radiotherapy
• Radiotherapy Technologies incl. Proton Therapy in childhood tumors
• Late effects
• Quality Assurance in Radiation Therapy
• Radiotherapy in infants
• Palliative radiotherapyRe-Irradiation in CNS-tumors
• Care for AYA
• Total body irradiation
• Interaction of systemic therapy with radiotherapy
• Specific cancers:
  • CNS-tumors (Medulloblastoma, Ependymoma)
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Hodgkin
• Functional imaging in children with Hodgkin
• Case presentations and summary contouring studies
• Journal Club

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course, participants should be one of the below:

• An in training radiation oncologist or a qualified radiation oncologist
• A pediatric oncologist (in training or qualified)
• A radiation therapist (RTT) or medical physicist in training or qualified.

Teaching methods

• 13 hours of lectures
• 3 hours of interactive case discussions
• 4 hours practical workshops

All teachers are clinical, paediatric, radiation oncologists or radiologists specialized in different fields and treatment techniques of pediatric oncology. The structure of the course includes plenary theoretical lessons, case discussions with development of oncological treatment plans and discussion of clinical cases in plenary sessions.

The didactic concept is a crucial component of the teaching course.

Theoretical knowledge will be communicated by using presentations and providing the participants with basic information material at home. The participants are strongly encouraged to actively use the acquired theoretical knowledge by using web-based cases. Immersion of knowledge will then be exercised in collaborative discussions including new case scenarios. The learning process enables the participants to identify the correct active way for case management and to identify possible flaws and mistakes. The individualized case-based learning process will provide an adapted feedback between teaching staff and participants.

Case discussions including clinical information and technical aspects (application of technologies) permit a comprehensive acquisition of knowledge that can be transferred to different clinical scenarios (enhanced emersion of clinical cases in clinical practice).

Methods of assessment

• MCQ
• Evaluation form

Course directors

• Beate Timmermann, Radiation Oncologist, Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, WPE, Essen (DE)
• Karin Dieckmann, Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiooncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna (AT)

Teachers

• Thankamma Ajithkumar, Clinical Oncologist, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge (UK)
• Tom Boterberg, Radiation Oncologist, UZ Gent, Gent, Belgium (BE)
• Geert Janssens, Radiation Oncologist, University Medical Center and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht (NL)
• Lars Kurch, Nuclear Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (DE)
• Anne Laprie, Radiation Oncologist, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse - Oncopole - IUCT-Oncopole (FR)
• Jaume Mora, Paediatric Oncologist, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona (ES)
• Arnold Paulino, Radiation Oncologist, MD Anderson Centre, Houston (USA)
• Chiara Valentini, Radiation Oncologist, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, OncoRay, Dresden (DE)

Programme

Please find the progamme here.

Key words

Radiation Therapy, basic course, clinical aspects, modern implantation techniques, paediatric oncology. 

Further reading

Please consult the ESTRO website page of this course for further information.

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.

Novotel Gent Centrum

Hoogpoort 52

9000 Gent

Belgium

https://all.accor.com/hotel/0840/index.en.shtml

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

** PROS members will benefit from the ESTRO member registration rate. Please send an email to education@estro.org if you would like to benefit from this rate.

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).