Online

Palliative care and radiotherapy

This basic course is aimed primarily at both trainee and experienced radiation and medical oncologists who want an update of their clinical knowledge in palliative care and radiotherapy. And at RTTs and APs with a special interest in palliative care.

Palliative care physicians, medical oncologist, specialist nurses and others involved in the care of patients with advanced cancer are welcome to participate.

Course directors 

  • Peter Hoskin, Clinical Oncologist, Mount Vernon Hospital, London (UK)  
  • Yvette van der Linden, Radiation Oncologist / Head, Expertcentre Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden (NL)

Teachers 

  • Nicolaus Andratschke, Radiation Oncologist, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich (CH)  
  • Johan Menten, Radiation Oncologist / Palliative Care Physician, KU Leuven, Leuven (BE)  
  • Joanna Kazmierska, Radiation Oncologist, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan (PL)

In this course, a comprehensive overview of the use and effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy will be presented  from an evidence based perspective in a multidisciplinary framework with a strong emphasis on clinical case discussions.. There will be a focus on both clinical, and -ethical aspects alongside state of the art radiotherapy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course participants should:

  • Have knowledge of the principles of palliation, pain and other symptom management, and indications for and effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy schedules
  • Be aware of  treatment-related side effects and outcome measures using evidence based outcome tools
  • Be able to discuss managementof complex clinical cases  in terms of quality of life and survival and.

Course content

  • Principles of palliation, oligometastasis
  • Nature of cancer pain, physiology of pain
  • Principles of pharmacological management
  • Radiotherapy for pain: bone pain, soft tissue pain
  • Holistic pain therapy: integration of RT/CT/pharmacology and non-pharmacological approaches
  • Neurological complications: brain metastases - introduction and pharmacological management
  • Management of solitary brain metastases Management of multiple brain metastases
  • Malignant spinal metastasis, pathophysiology, diagnosis and initial management
  •  Management of malignant spinal canal compression
  • Other neurological complications: spinal nerve root compression and neuropathic pain management
  • Care of the dying: different models of care
  • Lung - NSCLC: palliative management
  • Oligometastases and ablative therapy
  • Liver: role of radiotherapy in palliation
  • Palliative brachytherapy
  • Practical application of research data in palliation.

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course you should have a basic understanding of radiotherapy and pharmacology and experience of caring for patients with advanced cancer.

Teaching methods

  • Didactic lectures
  • Case discussions
  • Interactive session based on MCQ
  • Turning Point exercise 
  • E-learning module

Methods assessment

Evaluation form.

Key words

  • Palliative care
  • Quality of life
  • Evidence based radiation oncology
  • Pain
  • Metastases

Further reading / web resources

To be provided if available

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

To be confirmed

Accommodation

We would recommend that you would search suitable accommodation through one of the online booking websites.  ESTRO will not be providing any accommodation solutions.

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

 

Early rate

Late rate

In-training members*

  400 EUR

 575 EUR

Members

  550 EUR 

 675 EUR

Non Members

  700 EUR

 800 EUR

* 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:

  • 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).

 

Early deadline: 26 August 2021