Course Director:

• Maximilian Niyazi, Radiation Oncologist, University of Tubingen, Germany

Teachers:

• Anca-Ligia Grosu, Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
• Ans Swinnen, Senior Medical Physicist, MAASTRO, Department of Radiation Oncology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
• Aoife Williamson, RTT, Glasgow, United Kingdom
• Giuseppe Minniti, Radiation Oncologist, University of Rome, Italy
• Marcello Marchetti, Medical Doctor, Surgeon, Specialist in Neurosurgery and Radiotherapy, Fondazione IRCCS C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
• Per Munck Af Rosenschold, Medical Physicist, Skane University Hospital, Sweden
• Susanne J. Rogers, Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Oncology Center Mittelland, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.

This course aims to provide neuro-oncology professionals with a comprehensive, in-depth foundation in the principles, technologies, and clinical practices of individualised stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for brain tumours. The course will address a broad spectrum of clinical indications including brain metastases and various skull base tumors (meningioma, pituitary adenoma, acoustic neuroma, craniopharyngioma, chordoma, chondrosarcoma) to ensure participants are equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical applications required to manage common and complex cases.

Course Overview

This individualised SRS and SRT education course for brain metastases and skull base lesions will offer a comprehensive and tailored learning experience for neuro oncology professionals. The course will provide an in-depth foundation in the principles, technologies, and clinical applications in SRS and SRT. The course brings together key professional groups; radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapist, highlighting the pivotal role of collaborative teamwork in achieving safe and effective patient care. The course will deliver education in imaging, treatment planning, quality assurance and technology, balanced with evidence based patient management/selection and case based discussion. It is designed to support practitioners at different stages of their stereotactic journey from those planning new programmes to those seeking to optimise existing clinical practice.

Course content

• Overview of SRS/SRT including radiobiological principles underlying SRS/SRT
• Imaging for planning; overview of the neuroanatomical complexity of skull base region and optimal CT, MRI, PET imaging for different tumours
• Treatment planning; including principles of treatment planning SRS/SRT and rational for dose/fractionation
• Treatment technologies for SRS/SRT, overview of delivery systems
• QA program; small field dosimetry machine QA / commissioning clinical QA and setting up a self-learning SRS program
• Overview of positioning, immobilisation and SGRT/IGRT
• Evidence based management of brain metastases (BM) (including surgery, WBRT, and combined systemic therapy)and BOS tumours, including re-irradiation
• Review of SRS/SRT treatment plans for BM, BOS and RI cases
• Post treatment imaging and follow up imaging

Learning Objectives

On completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Identify the indications and contraindications for SRS/SRT in the management of brain metastases and skull base lesions.
• Assess patient suitability for treatment, factoring in tumour type, size, number, anatomical location, and overall prognosis.
• Describe and interpret the role of MRI, CT, and functional imaging in accurate target delineation and treatment planning.
• Awareness of the available SRS/SRT platforms, including Gamma Knife, LINAC, and CyberKnife, in clinical practice.
• Understand the fundamental principles of treatment planning for SRS/SRT, including reirradiation
• Design and implement a robust QA programme, covering small field dosimetry, machine QA, and commissioning procedures for stereotactic platforms.
• Demonstrate an understanding of patient setup, immobilisation techniques, and on treatment imaging techniques.
• Ability to recognise and manage radiotherapy-induced toxicity, including radiation necrosis

Teaching methods

• Interactive lectures with expert faculty
• Multi-disciplinary tumour board discussions
• Case discussions highlighting real world cases
• Practical planning and imaging discussion on complex case studies

Key words

• Stereotactic radiosurgery
• Stereotactic radiotherapy
• Brain metastases
• Base of skull lesions

To follow.

To follow.

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. To benefit from the member registration rate, you must subscribe for the ESTRO membership 2026 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

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

Advance registration & payment are required.

Access to homework and/or course material will become available upon receipt of full payment.

Insurance and cancellation

Participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policy. ESTRO does not accept liability for individual medical, travel or personal accidents or incidents. Participants are strongly advised to take insurance policies to cover flight and accommodation cancellation penalties. ESTRO will not refund any travel or accommodation expenses.

For any cancellation made by the course participant, ESTRO School Events Cancellation Policy will be followed and all stated penalty fees will be applied.

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, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, 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 2026 are eligible (please make sure your 2026 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