Course aim  

• to provide an overview of the new developments in technical and clinical aspects of external beam radiotherapy
• to focus on imaging for tumour extent and organs at risk, and the determination of margins
• to give the foundation of treatment planning and verification of 3D RT techniques
• to explore the possibilities and limitations of novel RT techniques including intensity-modulated (IMRT), image-guided  (IGRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and particle therapy
• to discuss the practical aspects related to the implementation of modern RT techniques in a clinical department
• to examine the value of modern RT technology using the criteria of evidence-based medicine 

Target group 

The course is meant for trainees in radiation oncology and radiotherapy physics with at least 2 years’ experience. However, any senior who would like to re-fresh part of her/his knowledge would benefit from this course. Radiation technologists are also welcome. 

Educational programme 

• Key role of radiation therapy in malignant diseases, control, survival and palliative benefit
• Current evolution from 2D to 3D radiation therapy
• Staging of disease – examples: lung, breast, head & neck
• Tumour and organ at risk delineation: ICRU concepts
• Defining the set-up margin: patient immobilisation and tumour motion, measuring geometric uncertainties
• Examples of tumour delineation using CT & MRI: gastro-intestinal, prostate, head & neck, breast, lung and brain
• Technical aspects of imaging for RT planning
• Conformal RT planning: dose-volume histograms, plan evaluation
• Intensity-modulated RT treatment planning: optimization, constraints
• Clinical application of complex techniques: breast, prostate, head & neck, lung
• Planning case presentations
• QA of planning systems
• Verification of treatment delivery
• Principles of dose calculation algorithms
• QA of IMRT and VMAT
• Stereotactic radiotherapy & radiosurgery: brain, extracranial
• Image-guided radiotherapy and adaptive RT
• Protons and other particle therapies
• Principles of decision making, clinical needs, setting priorities: simulators, scanning, planning systems, networking, linacs, add-ons
• Training in a department: infrastructure, staffing, maintenance, equipment, quality assurance
• Principles of evidence-based medicine: breast, head & neck, lung and mediastinum, gastrointestinal, GU, CNS and paediatrics, palliative RT