After more than 40 years in radiation oncology, Professor Hans Kaanders is not only retiring from clinical practice but also stepping down as co-editor of Read It Before Your Patients, the popular ESTRO newsletter corner. In this interview, he reflects on the evolution of the field, his journey as an editor, and the lessons that have shaped his career. Plus, he offers a glimpse into his unexpected passion for restoring classic cars!

 

Prof Hans Kaanders
Radiation oncologist
Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Co-editor of the Read It Before Your Patients corner

Interview with Prof Hans Kaanders

As you retire from your position as a radiation oncologist, how do you reflect on your journey in the field?

I have seen tremendous progress in the field of radiation oncology over my long career. Being able to witness that has motivated me from beginning to end.
 

What inspired you to specialise in radiation oncology, and what kept you motivated throughout the years?

My initial plan was to become an ophthalmologist. During the waiting period for my residency, I took a temporary job at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. I was pleasantly surprised by the versatility of the profession. The combination of technology, physics, biology, and clinical work, as well as the psychosocial impact of cancer on patients and their relatives, make this work an exciting challenge. So, I decided to stay.

You’ve been a key contributor to the Read It Before Your Patients corner for many years. What motivated you to take on this role? (Please specify the year you started if possible).

When the Read It Before Your Patients corner was launched (I don’t remember exactly in what year it was), I was asked by Philippe Lambin, co-editor of the corner, to join as a contributor with Dirk De Ruysscher. At the time both were radiation oncologists at Maastro Clinic in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and willing to think "out of the box" to advance the profession. I thought it might be interesting to work with these guys for a while.
 

Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of selecting studies for the ESTRO audience?

Contributing to the Read It Before Your Patients corner was not only useful for the readers of ESTRO News (at least I hope so…) but also for myself. Before each deadline, Cécile Hardon-Villard pushed me to screen the most recent literature for important and clinically relevant papers. That was a great way to ensure that I stayed up-to-date. Cécile is the managing editor of the Newsletter at the ESTRO office already for 17 years. She refers to herself as “the woman in the shadow” but in fact she is the engine that keeps the corner alive.
 

ere there any particular studies or trends in radiation oncology that stood out to you during your time curating the section?

I always tried to look for studies with high levels of evidence, i.e., randomised controlled trials or meta-analyses. However, developments seemed to move so fast that frequently I noticed that methodology (e.g., diagnostics, radiotherapy techniques, combination with systemic therapies) was already outdated by the time of publication. Unless we find a way to speed up patient accrual significantly in large-scale studies (for instance, through better cooperation between centres and serious commitment), I fear that the impact of large randomised trials will diminish.
 

Over the course of your career, how have you seen radiation oncology evolve?

As in all fields of medicine, radiation oncology has evolved in many ways: technology, digitalisation, evidence-based medicine, protocolisation, patient empowerment, telemedicine, and more. All have had their impact on the profession, but remember, the patient must remain the centre of our attention.
 

What do you think have been the most significant advancements in the field?

In my opinion the most significant advances in the field have been those listed here.
1. High-precision radiation techniques. My residents don’t see the toxicity that I used to see when I was a trainee.
2. As a resident I learned that in the curative setting, hypofractionation is not favoured due to an increased risk of late complications. Nowadays, we do stereotactic radiotherapy with sometimes very high doses per fraction. Also, we use standard hypofractionation regimens for certain tumour types such as prostate and breast cancers since we have learned more about the radiobiology of these tumours.
 

What advice would you give to young radiation oncologists starting their careers today?

Thanks to technology and digitalisation, we can do a lot of work from behind our desks and even from home nowadays. That is nice, but there is the risk that we lose interaction with our colleagues (physicians, radiotherapists, nurses, physicists and others). Show your face at the treatment machines, in the planning room and the outpatient clinic regularly. Chat with your colleagues while you have a cup of coffee or tea.
 

Are there any key lessons or philosophies that guided your work as a clinician and researcher?

The opportunity to combine research and clinical care is particularly stimulating and has given me great enjoyment in my work. Always make sure that your research activities have relevance and affect patient care; this is most rewarding. At the same time, the combination of these tasks can be demanding and create tension. Make choices and only do what you do best.

Most importantly, spend time with your patients. Be their trusted confidant and use your knowledge and expertise for their well-being.

 

Now that you’re retiring, what’s next for you? Do you plan to stay involved in the field in any way?

I and my two brothers have a classic car garage (https://golden-years.nl/). We restore and drive various old models from the 1950s to the 1970s. We also renovate second-hand parts for reuse. Working with your hands and making old stuff work again is great fun. I look forward to spending more time on that.

Regarding the professional field, nobody is indispensable and there are well-trained young colleagues that can replace me. Maybe I will stick around for a while to follow some research projects.
 

Any final thoughts you’d like to share with the ESTRO community?

Prepare yourselves for another 40 years of exciting advances.