Course Directors:

Gianfranco Angelo Pesce (CH), Radiation Oncology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale S.Giovanni, Bellinzona (CH).

Anthony Chalmers (UK), Clinical Oncologist, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow (UK).

Teachers: 

Patrick Roth (CH), Medical Neurologist, University Hospital Zürich, Zurich (CH)  

Kathreena Kurian (UK),  Neuropathologist, Neuropathology, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol (UK)Tilak Das (UK), Radiologist.

Sarah Jefferies (UK), Clinical Oncologist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital - Oncology Centre, Cambridge (UK).

The course aims to review the present state-of-the-art of neuro-oncology from its biological understanding to the implementation of high-tech radiotherapy approaches, modern biologically driven therapy and care. It will not only cover the commonest of brain tumours, but will also review the latest developments in the less common tumours in adults and children.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Understand the evolving concepts of brain tumour biology
• Interpret more complex brain imaging for the purpose of therapy
• Make judgements regarding multidisciplinary management of tumours including the role of systematic and targeted therapies in both common and rare brain tumours in adults and children
• Understand the principles and practice of modern radiotherapy
• Understand the design and challenges of brain tumour clinical trials.

Course content

Neuro-oncology is generally equated with the management of malignant gliomas, yet it is the speciality with perhaps the largest range of tumour types from curable to barely treatable. It has been at the forefront of technical developments in radiotherapy with early implementation of the latest imaging and high precision localised radiotherapy, including stereotactic radiotherapy and proton therapy. Neurosurgery has also developed in leaps and bounds so that previously inaccessible locations can now be safely reached. Local treatment relies on accurate imaging, and this is the cornerstone of neuro-oncology practice.

Alongside local treatment approaches, systemic treatment has become mainstay of management of many tumours in adults and children and targeted personalised therapy approaches are becoming a reality. The need for developing and testing new therapies in this challenging clinical setting requires the involvement of neuro-oncology specialists in clinical trials and the issues specific to brain tumour trial design are of importance to the future of the speciality.

Anyone involved in neuro-oncology is aware of the challenges in treating the brain and the short- and long-term consequences for the patient and their careers, and that attention to care is an integral part of neuro-oncology.

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course, you should have some:

·        Experience of brain tumour management

·        Understanding of conventional brain radiotherapy issues.

Teaching methods

·        12-15 hours of lectures

·        3-5 hours of discussions

Interactive and didactic lectures will be complemented by practical radiotherapy planning practice.

Methods assessment

·        MCQ

·        Q&A

·        Evaluation form.

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

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 early online rate is applied until 2 months before the start of the course.

Late online rates are applied as of 2 months before the start of the course

Advance registration & payment are required.              

Registration will close on the date published on the front page of the course.

Cancellation

A registration to the online workshop may be cancelled without any fees before pre-online course material is sent out. Pre-online course material is sent out a few days before the first workshop lesson. After the pre-online course material is sent out, no refund of the registration fee is possible.

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
  • 2 months before the start of the course for online attendance