Course directors

• Beate Timmermann, Radiation Oncologist, Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, WPE, Essen (DE)
• Karin Dieckmann, Radiation Oncologist, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna (AT)

Teachers

• Thankamma Ajithkumar, Clinical Oncologist, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge (UK)
• Arnold Paulino, Radiation Oncologist, MD Anderson Centre, Houston (USA)
• Chiara Valentini, Radiation Oncologist, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, OncoRay, Dresden (DE)
• Jaume Mora, Paediatric Oncologist, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona (ES)
• Julia Furtner-Srajer, Radiologist, Medical University of Vienna (AT)
• Anne Laprie, Radiation Oncologist, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse - Oncopole - IUCT-Oncopole (FR)
• Geert Janssens, University Medical Center and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht (NL)

Paediatric radiation oncology covers many different and complex fields in paediatric oncology. The distribution of knowledge on a worldwide level is an important component of the teaching course on paediatric radiation oncology co-organised by PROS (Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society) and ESTRO. The rarity of childhood neoplasms and the complexity of their management due to several factors are putting high demands on the application of radiation therapy. 

The course not only addresses radiation oncology treatment technologies but aims at providing a comprehensive knowledge of the management of paediatric malignancies, which is mandatory for an optimal management of childhood cancer.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be familiar with: 

• Clinical and biological aspects of the different paediatric malignancies
• Multidisciplinary management concepts in paediatric oncology
• Specific radiation oncology issues, including planning and contouring strategies and delivery techniques adjusted to paediatric malignancies
• Cure rates and late effects
• Toxicity profiles and risk for side effects
• Radiological anatomy and diagnostic imaging for precise treatment planning.

Course content

• Basic aspects in paediatric oncology 
• Diagnostic and functional imaging in children with CNS-tumours
• Late effects
• Quality Assurance in Radiation Therapy Re-Irradiation in CNS-tumours
• Proton beam therapy in childhood tumours
• Chemotherapy, side effects and interaction with radiotherapy
• Specific cancers:
  • Solid Metastases
  • CNS-tumours (Medulloblastoma, Craniopharyngeoma)
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Nephroblastoma
  • Ewing sarcoma
• Plenary lectures with practical examples (individual case presentations) and final plenary case discussions including pitfall presentation.

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course participants should be one of the below:

• An in training radiation oncologist or a qualified radiation oncologist
• A paediatric oncologist (in training or qualified)
• A radiation therapist (RTT) or medical physicist in training or qualified.

Teaching methods

• 16 hours of live-streamed theoretical lectures with time for Q&A sessions and case discussions.

The online course will take place over a 4-week period, with twice-weekly sessions delivered on Monday and Wednesday, from 5.00 to 7.00 P.M. (CET Time).

All teachers are clinical, paediatric or radiation oncologists and radiologists specialised in different fields and treatment techniques of paediatric oncology. The structure of the course includes plenary theoretical lessons, case discussions with development of oncological treatment plans and discussion of clinical cases in plenary sessions.

The didactic concept is a crucial component of the teaching course.

Theoretical knowledge will be communicated by using presentations and providing the participants with basic information material at home. The participants are strongly encouraged to actively use the acquired theoretical knowledge by using web-based cases. Immersion of knowledge will then be exercised in collaborative discussions including new case scenarios. The learning process enables the participants to identify the correct active way for case management and to identify possible flaws and mistakes. The individualised case-based learning process will provide an adapted feedback between teaching staff and participants.

Case discussions including clinical information and technical aspects (contouring application of technologies) permit a comprehensive acquisition of knowledge that can be transferred to different clinical scenarios (enhanced emersion of clinical cases in clinical practice).

Methods of assessment

• MCQ
• Evaluation form

Programme

Avaiable here

Key words

Radiation Therapy, basic course, clinical aspects, modern implantation techniques, paediatric oncology. 

Further reading

Please consult the ESTRO website page of this course for further information.

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.

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. Please note that in order to benefit from the member price, you must renew your membership for 2021 before registering to the course.To benefit from these member rates, please visit the membership page to become a member or renew your membership BEFORE proceeding with your order.

Fees

*  All specialties: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine

RTTs and physicists only: Cyprus  

RTTs only: Italy 

To apply for the above rate, please contact education@estro.org before the early rate published on the front page of this course expires. Thereafter, the desk rate will be applied.

** Members with specialty Radiation Therapist (RTT) may register at the In Training fee

The standard rate is applied until the early rate published on the front webpage of this course expires.

Desk rates are applied after the early rate published on the front webpage of this course expires.

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.

Fee for ESTRO members working in countries with a less competitive economic background:

ESTRO members working in countries with a less competitive economic background can benefit from the above fees if three conditions are met:

1. Only ESTRO members for 2021 are eligible (please make sure your 2021 membership is in order before you apply for the reduced fees
2. Sponsored candidates are not entitled to these fees (the invoicing address has to be the one of the participant)  
3. Your application must be submitted beofe the early rate published on the front webpage of this course expires

To apply for the above rate, please contact education@estro.org before the early rate published on the front page of this course expires. Thereafter, the desk rate will be applied.

** Members with specialty Radiation Therapist (RTT) may register at the In Training fee

The standard rate is applied until the early rate published on the front webpage of this course expires.

Desk rates are applied after the early rate published on the front webpage of this course expires.

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.

Fee for ESTRO members working in countries with a less competitive economic background:

ESTRO members working in countries with a less competitive economic background can benefit from the above fees if three conditions are met:

1. Only ESTRO members for 2021 are eligible (please make sure your 2021 membership is in order before you apply for the reduced fees
2. Sponsored candidates are not entitled to these fees (the invoicing address has to be the one of the participant)  
3. Your application must be submitted before the early rate published on the front webpage of this course expires