The course is meant for trainees and specialists in radiation oncology interested in the field of pediatric radiation oncology.

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)
• Geert Janssens, Radiation Oncologist, University Medical Center and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht (NL) 
• Arnold Paulino, Radiation Oncologist, MD Anderson Centre, Houston (USA) 
• Yasmin Lassen, Radiation Oncologist, Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
• Natalia Stepien, Pediatric Oncologist, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna (AT)
• Nicole Stember, Child Life Specialist, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), Essen, (DE)
• Anne Laprie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse - Oncopole, Toulouse, (FR)

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.

Learning outcomes

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

•    Clinical aspects of the different pediatric malignancies
•    Multidisciplinary management concepts in pediatric oncology
•    Specific radiation oncology issues, including contouring challenges adjusted to pediatric malignancies
•    Cure rates and late effects
•    Toxicity profiles and risk for side effects

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 
•    Palliative radiotherapy
•    Re-Irradiation in CNS-tumors
•    Radiotherapy – a piece of cake? Support by Child Life Specialist
•    Update: what’s new in paed. Onc. and radiotherapy?
•    Specific cancers:
o    CNS-tumors (Medulloblastoma, Glioma, ATRT)
o    Ewing sarcoma
o    Nephroblastoma
o    Neuroblastoma
•    Challenges in contouring
•    Case presentations

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

•    9 hours of lectures
•    4 hours of interactive case discussions

All teachers are clinical, paediatric, radiation oncologists 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
 

Available here