Course director 

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

Teachers 

• Philipp Scherer, Radiology Technologist, UK f Radiotherapy and Radio Oncology at PMU at SALK, (AT)  
• José Luis Lopez Guerra, Radiation Oncologist, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla (ES)  
• Mirjana Josipovic, Medical Physicist, The Finsen Centre – Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen (DK)  
• 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) 
• Martijn Kamphuis, Radiation Therapist, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam (NL) 

Local organizer

Filipe Moura, President at Associação Portuguesa de Radioterapeutas, Lisbon (PT)

Although modern radiation therapy is a group effort of physicians, physicists and radiation therapists, this course aims at radiation therapists only. In this way we will be able to give an overview of the steps in modern radiation therapy with enough room and time for radiation therapist specific tools and skills. 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? 
• Patient preparation and immobilisation: what is (im)possible and is it still important in modern radiation therapy? 
• Imaging modalities in the treatment room: what is available and how can it be used to find the target volume? 
• 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) 
• 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.

Affilliations

Programme

To follow

Key Words

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

Venue

To follow

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. Please note that in order to benefit from the member price, you must renew your membership for 2021 before registering to the course.To benefit from these member rates, please visit the membership page to become a member or renew your membership BEFORE proceeding with your order.

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

ESTRO members from economically challenged countries may register at a preferential rate of 350 Euro if three conditions are met:

1. Only ESTRO members for 2021 are eligible (please make sure your 2021 membership is in order before you apply for the reduced fees)
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: