Programme

Overview: This guideline session provides critical insights into the implementation of the "ESTRO/EANO recommendation on reirradiation of glioblastoma" guideline. The session offers a comprehensive analysis of the guideline's core components, centered on the nine key questions that formed the basis for 18 recommendations and nine expert statements. You will gain knowledge of patient selection criteria, imaging techniques for recurrence assessment, target volume delineation, treatment planning and combined treatment modalities. To enhance the guideline’s practical relevance, we will present two illustrative case reports. These real-world cases will demonstrate the application of the guideline's recommendations, highlighting both their potential uses and limitations in clinical practice.

Overview: In this teaching lecture Harini Veeraraghavan will explore why foundation models are essential for radiation treatment applications, addressing key challenges such as the limited availability of labelled data and the diversity of imaging modalities in radiotherapy. She will discuss whether new models must always be developed or if existing ones can be leveraged, presenting relevant use cases for both approaches. By examining segmentation, dose prediction, outcome prediction, and longitudinal tracking, the session will provide insights into the role of foundation models in radiotherapy and strategic considerations for their adoption in clinical workflows.

Overview: In this teaching session Sarah Barrett, Assistant Professor in Radiation Therapy of the Trinity college and University of Dublin, will give an overview of the current status and role of radiotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer. Recent technical advances on imaging improvements, integration of AI models into the workflow, and a growing interest in robust optimization are discussed. Additionally, the expanding role of adaptive radiotherapy, and the changing profile of lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy due to personalised medicine, will be highlighted. Finally, it is explained how all these developments will influence the role of the RTT in the future, and which skills and knowledge they need to acquire to be able to continue to deliver excellent patient care.

Overview: A panel discussion with five experts will explore the future of brachytherapy, based on survey results from participants of the GEC-ESTRO workshop. Panelists include experienced brachytherapists, representatives from ESTRO, young ESTRO members, and a patient advocate. They will discuss key findings from the survey, addressing challenges, innovations, and strategies for advancing brachytherapy. Topics include technological developments, education for future specialists, patient perspectives, and improving accessibility. This discussion aims to bridge clinical practice with emerging trends, fostering collaboration among professionals and patients. By integrating diverse viewpoints and data-driven insights, the panel seeks to define a sustainable and progressive path for brachytherapy.

Overview: The DNA damage response (DDR) plays a crucial role in determining the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy. This session will provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of DDR mechanisms and how these can be exploited to improve clinical outcomes. Topics will include new insights into the accuracy and regulation of homologous recombination, the emerging role of epigenetic modifications in double-strand break repair, and key findings from recent clinical trials combining radiotherapy with DDR inhibitors. The session will conclude with a panel discussion focusing on the translational relevance of these findings and future directions for integrating DDR-targeted approaches in clinical practice.

Overview: This session will explore strategies to optimise treatment for early breast cancer, pushing the boundaries of current practices. It will highlight how advanced radiotherapy techniques are reducing cardiac risk, improving patient care, and minimising side effects. The use of biomarkers will be discussed, focusing on their potential to personalise treatment and enhance patient outcomes. The session will also review the role of tumour-bed boost, exploring how to identify patients who will benefit most and when it can be safely omitted. Finally, this session will explore the emerging role of artificial intelligence in treatment planning and delivery for early breast cancer.