Course director

Marcel Verheij, Radiation Oncologist, Radboudumc, Nijmegen (NL) 

Teachers

• William Allum, Surgeon, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London (UK)
• Francesco Cellini, Radiation Oncologist, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome (IT)
• Alessio G. Morganti, Radiation Oncologist, Università Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna (IT)
• Alexander Quaas, Pathologist, Universitätsklinikum Köln (DE)
• Angela Riddell, Radiologist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London (UK)
• Marije Slingerland, Medical Oncologist, Leiden University Medical Center (NL)
• Dirk Verellen, Medical Physicist, University of Antwerp (BE)

Guest lecturers

• Markus Büchler, Surgical Oncologist, Otton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Center, Lisbon (PT)
• Carlos Carvalho, Medical Oncologist, Otton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Center, Lisbon (PT)
• Andre Dekker, Medical Physicist, Maastro Clinic, Maastricht University, Maastricht (NL)

The advancement in technological and therapeutic opportunities changes and  challenges the role of radiotherapy in many tumour sites. Upper GI tumours share a very unfavourable prognosis while at the same time they could benefit from ongoing innovations and a multidisciplinary approach. 

The aim of the course is to support an interactive educational environment by peer review of each step of radiation therapy practice (indication, prescription, delineation, planning, IGRT, outcome evaluation) according to state-of-the-art technologies and knowledge while taking care of the clinician, physicist and RTT perspectives.

Specialists of different disciplines will support the radiation oncology audience in understanding the clinical needs, anatomic and pathologic details, and the therapeutic achievements needed to optimise radiation oncology knowledge and expertise.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, for each upper GI tumour site covered, participants should be able to practice:

• Proper indication for radiation therapy from a multidisciplinary perspective
• Appropriate prescription 
• Tailored delineation according to tumour location and stage
• Dose distribution optimisation and comparison
• Optimal use of available IGRT technologies
• Proper monitoring of tumour response and control.

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course, participants should have practiced upper GI cancer: 

• Tumour board discussion
• Delineation
• Planning optimisation and comparison
• IGRT 
• Outcome monitoring.

Teaching methods

Lectures (keynote and tumour site specific)

Interactive sessions

Small working groups

Individual practice

Methods of assessment

Small working groups with experts

On site Survey Monkey

Questionnaires

Key words

Upper GI malignancies, oesophageal cancer, OG junction tumours, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, multidisciplinary management, delineation, planning, IGRT, outcome evaluation.

Keynote lectures

These include presentations on topical subjects and overviews relevant to the various tumour sites.

Tumour site specific lectures

For each tumour site (oesophageal, OG junction, gastric and pancreatic) epidemiology, imaging, pathology/molecular insights, practice changing trials and guidelines, surgery, radiotherapy (target volume delineation, dose schedules, dose-limiting toxicity and its management, palliation) and systemic treatment will be discussed.

Video-illustrated surgical procedures

Video-illustrated interactive presentations on surgical procedure highlighting the key surgical steps to have a better understanding of the local anatomy will be commented on by a surgeon.

Clinical case discussions

To gain insight into the challenges and treatment options of upper GI malignancies, frequently encountered in MDT discussions, clinical cases will be presented and discussed in an interactive format.

Hands-on sessions

Participants will receive in advance 2-3 clinical cases; they will be invited to delineate GTV and CTV on site during the first hands-on session using the FALCON delineation tool. During the second hands-on session, the results will be presented and discussed.  

The draft scientific programme is available here.

JUPITER LISBOA HOTEL
Avenida da Republica, 46
1050-195 Lisboa
Portugal

The course venue, Jupiter Hotel, is giving a special offer for accommodation for the participants of this course. If you would like to reserve a room in the course venue, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/ESTROUpperGI

Reservation deadline: 7 February 2025

Please note that all reservations are subject to availability.

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