Course Directors:

Remi Nout, Radiation Oncologist, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam (NL) 

Monica Serban, Medical Physicist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (CAN)

Teachers:

Kjersti Bruheim, Medical Physcist, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo (NO)

Simon Duke, Radiation Oncologist/PhD Student, Addenbrooke´s Hospital- Oncology Centre, Cambridge (UK)

Céline van Beveren, Radiation Oncologist, Maastro, Maastricht, (NL)   

Nicole Eder Nesvacil, Medical Physicist, Medical University Hospital, Vienna (AT) 

Li Tee Tan, Radiation Oncologist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital - Oncology Centre, Cambridge (UK)

Linda Rossi, Medical Physicist, Erasmus MC - Rotterdam (NL)

Cyrus Chargari, Radiation Oncologist, Pitié Salpêtrière University Hospital (FR)

The course aims to: 

• Teach about principles of 3D image-based EBRT and brachytherapy including techniques and treatment planning in gynaecological cancer
• Provide understanding of commissioning, quality assurance, principles of planning, plan evaluation and reporting of 2D and 3D brachytherapy with focus on cervical cancer
• Introduce 3D image-based (adaptive) target concepts of GTV, CTV and PTV including both EBRT and brachytherapy with focus on cervical cancer
• Enable practical implementation of 3D techniques in EBRT and brachytherapy with focus on cervical cancer
• Provide an overview on radiation therapy (external radiation and brachytherapy) and clinical outcome in gynaecological cancers.
• Enhance the practical implemention and logistics for transition to 3D/4D in the existing environment.
• Provide further roadmap and steps of intervention to improve the existing standards.

COURSE CONTENT

• Normal, pathologic anatomy and clinical examination of female pelvis 
• Image based anatomy including US, CT, MRI and conventional radiography
• CTV/ITV/PTV for external irradiation
• Combination of external irradiation and brachytherapy
• Different application techniques in brachytherapy
• Commissioning and Quality Assurance of various processes involved in 3D treatment planning.
• Application techniques in brachytherapy including combined intracavitary-interstitial applicators
• Treatment planning for brachytherapy
• ICRU 89 concepts: GTV, CTV, PTV at diagnosis and at time of brachytherapy for 2D and 3D brachytherapy (adaptive target concept)
• Dose, dose-rate and fractionation and overall treatment time
• Radiobiological effects from combined external irradiation and brachytherapy, linear quadratic model
• Prescribing, recording and reporting including ICRU 89 - GEC-ESTRO recommendations and ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines for the management of patients with cervical cancer
• Therapeutic outcome: radio-chemotherapy, image based EBRT and brachytherapy including EMBRACE
• Reflexion of participants` clinical experience in image guided radiotherapy (experienced track)

PREREQUISITES

A number of mandatory and optional background recorded lectures will be made available that are highly recommended to be viewed before the course

TEACHING METHODS

Description: The tutorials include discussions of basics, evidence based treatments, contouring guidelines, various processes involved in advanced EBRT and brachytherapy techniques and quality assurance. The practical hands on demonstration covers a direct learning process involved in approach, brachytherapy techniques, contouring exercises, evaluation and discussions on 3D radiotherapy.

• Practical workshops: 8 hours
• Video presentations by faculty: 2-3 hours – Clinician Pre-course questionnaire
• Registration sheet for decision on general track versus experienced track

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

• Lectures: 16 hours
• Applicators commissioning and reconstruction: 6 hours - Physicists
• Contouring (FALCON tool) and dose planning exercises (pre- and post-course homework)  Interactive feedback through audience voting on specific questions during lectures MCQ (interactive session at the end of the course) ESTRO teaching course evaluation form  

KEY WORDS

• Evidence based multi-modality management guidelines 2D to 3D transition 3D Image Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy (IGABT) in cervical cancer
• Contouring guidelines for advanced EBRT including IMRT/ IGRT and image based brachytherapy with focus on cervical cancer

FURTHER READING

Will be specified under Learning Objectives (available for participants after registration on ESTRO Moodle)

• Lectures: 16 hours
• Applicators commissioning and reconstruction: 6 hours - Physicists
• Contouring (FALCON tool) and dose planning exercises (pre- and post-course homework)  Interactive feedback through audience voting on specific questions during lectures MCQ (interactive session at the end of the course) ESTRO teaching course evaluation form.

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.

To follow

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. To benefit from the member registration rate, you must subscribe for the ESTRO membership 2025 BEFORE registering to the course. To become an ESTRO member, benefit from the member registration rate and discover the many other member advantages, please visit the membership page.

Fees

* Members with specialty RadiationTherapist (RTT) may register at the In-Training fee

The fee includes the course material, coffees, lunches, and the social event.

Advance registration & payment are required.

Access to homework and/or course material will become available upon receipt of full payment.

Insurance and cancellation

Participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policy. ESTRO does not accept liability for individual medical, travel or personal accidents or incidents. Participants are strongly advised to take insurance policies to cover flight and accommodation cancellation penalties. ESTRO will not refund any travel or accommodation expenses.

For any cancellation made by the course or workshop participant, ESTRO School Events Cancellation Policy will be followed and all stated penalty fees will be applied.

Reduced fees

Members from emerging countries may register at a preferential rate of 350 Euro. Emerging country fee applies to individuals from low-income and lower-middle-income economies according to the World Bank listing here.

Additionally, all specialties from the following countries can benefit from this preferential rate: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine.  

The preferential rate of 350 Euro is granted automatically when you click on the  BOOK NOW  button and the three conditions below are met:

1. Only ESTRO members for 2025 are eligible (please make sure your 2025 membership is in order before you click on the BOOK NOW  button)
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