Course Director

Christine Haie-Meder, Radiation Oncologist, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villeuif (FR)
Richard Pötter, Radiation Oncologist, Allgemeines Krankenhaus Wien, Vienna (AT)

Teachers

Isabelle Barillot, Radiation Oncologist, Hôpital Bretonneau, Tours (FR)
Johannes Dimopoulos, Radiation Oncologist, Medical University Hospital, Vienna (AT)
Taran Paulsen-Hellebust, Physicist, DNR Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo (NO)
Peter Petrow, Radiologist, Institut Curie, Paris (FR)
Kari Tanderup, Physicist, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus (DK)

Course aim

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the field of gynaecological brachytherapy including cervix, endometrium, and vaginal cancer.
• To introduce 3D image-based concepts of GTV, CTV and PTV in gynaecological brachytherapy, emphasising adaptation during (4D) treatment.
• To provide an overview of traditional and image based intracavitary and interstitial techniques in gynaecological brachytherapy.
• To learn about advanced approaches, including 3D image-based implantation and treatment planning techniques with intensity modulation using stepping source technology.
• To provide results of image based brachytherapy with regard to disease control and morbidity.
• To enable practical implementation of advanced concepts and techniques in gynaecological brachytherapy.

Target Group

The course is aimed at radiation and gynaecological oncologists, radiation physicists and radiation technologists involved in gynaecological brachytherapy, and interested in implementation of advanced concepts and techniques. A basic knowledge of gynaecological oncology is required, in particular of gynaecological brachytherapy.

Educational programme

• Normal and pathologic anatomy of female pelvis
• 3D image-based anatomy*: US, CT, MRI
• GTV, CTV, PTV at diagnosis and at time of brachytherapy*
• Indications for brachytherapy
• Combination of brachytherapy and external beam therapy
• Techniques*: overview of different application techniques (endocavitary and interstitial)
• 3D image assisted and guided applications*
• Treatment planning*:
  • Conventional techniques based on standard and individual loading patterns using point dose assessment, including point A and ICRU reference points
  • Advanced techniques based on individual loading patterns determined by 3D image based dose volume assessment
• Dose effects and dose-volume effect;
• Dose volume constraints for targets and organs at risk*
• Dose, dose rate and fractionation: HDR, PDR, MDR, LDR
• Estimate of radiobiological effects from brachytherapy and combined treatment based on linear-quadratic model*
• Recording and reporting including ICRU and GEC-ESTRO recommendations*
• Therapeutic outcome (level of evidence)

* including practical interactive examples

Working Schedule

The course starts on Thursday August 28 at 09:00, and will finish on Saturday August 30 around 18:00. To ensure the course starts on time, participants are encouraged to register on Wednesday August 27 at the course venue from 16:00 to 19:00. If this is not possible, they can register on Thursday morning before the start of the course.