Course director 

Philipp Scherer, Radiation Therapist, UK f Radiotherapy and Radio Oncology at PMU at SALK, (AT)

Teachers 

• José Luis Lopez Guerra, Radiation Oncologist, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla (ES)  
• Helen Grimes, IGRT and Technical Development Lead Physicist, UCLH, London (UK)
• Lisa Wiersema, Radiation Therapist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam (NL)  
• Peter Remeijer, Medical Physicist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam (NL)  
• Sophie Bockel, Radiation Oncologist at Gustave Roussy, Paris (FR)
• Lykke K. Johansen, Radiation Therapist, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen (DK)

Local organizer: TBC

Although modern radiation therapy is a group effort of all members of the multidisciplinary team, this course is primarily designed for RTTs. In this way we will be able to give an overview of the steps in modern radiation therapy with enough time to develop tools and skills specific to RTTs. The theory taught in the lectures will be translated into practical sessions when possible.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Appreciate where modern radiation therapy is at with respect to pre-treatment imaging and target definition, treatment planning and image guidance as well as adaptive radiation therapy

• Appreciate the importance of knowledge of the entire treatment chain of radiation therapy 

• Comprehend and calculate geometrical uncertainties and margins 

• Comprehend the physics of image registration and its influence on clinical image registration 

• Appreciate the importance of quality assurance and risk management

Course Content

• Pre-treatment imaging modalities: what is available and how is it used in target definition and organ at risk delineation? 

• Patient preparation and immobilisation: what is (im)possible, and is it still important in modern radiation therapy? 

• Geometrical uncertainties and correction strategies: what are the uncertainties in modern radiation therapy and how do correction strategies affect PTV margins? How to calculate your own margins (workshop) 

• Update on advances in radiotherapy treatment planning

• Imaging modalities in the treatment room: what is available and how can it be used to find the target volume? 

• Image registration and evaluation: how to make the best use of the images at hand - is it always just finding the target volume?

• Understanding algorithms, regions of interest, correction reference points: how to create protocols for IGRT management (workshops and hands-on) 

• Site specific advanced treatment and IGRT techniques as well as adaptive strategies

• Safety issues: the importance of incidence reporting and a feedback loop 

• Implementing and managing advanced treatment techniques: how to implement new gained skills in your department in a multidisciplinary environment and what impact might AI have on future clinical practice?

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course, participants should have an interest in all steps of radiation therapy. All delegates are expected to take part in all lectures, tutorials, and workshops.

Teaching Methods

Approximately (4,5 days/36 h): 

• 23 hours of lectures 

• 3 hours of tutorials 

• 10 hours of practical workshops

Methods of Assessment

• MCQ  

• Delineation exercises 

• Evaluation form

Affilliations

Novotel Kraków Centrum

ul. Tadeusza Kościuszki 5,

30-105,

Krakow,

Poland

The preliminary programme will be made available soon.

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 

The ESTRO Solidarity Fund receives generous funding from the ESTRO Supporting Ambassador members. This fund enables the financing of three grants for the ESTRO courses in 2025. 
Each grant is set at 1,500€ and is intended to cover the cost of one registration for the course (350€). Additionally, it assists in partially reimbursing expenses related to travel, on-site accommodation and food. 
Reimbursements will be based on expense reports provided by the beneficiary, ensuring that the total reimbursement does not exceed the grant amount under any circumstances.

Selection criteria

•    Applicant should be:
-    ESTRO members in 2025
-    Currently in training
-    Active in the field of radiotherapy, radiobiology, radiation physics, or radiation technology.
-    Citizens of low-income, lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries (based on the World bank listing). Additionally, citizens from Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Russian Federation can apply.  
•    Applicant should have not utilised the ESTRO Solidarity Fund to attend events within the past two years.
•    Applicant must provide the application form, a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae and a recommendation letter from their head of department confirming the current training status of the candidate and the essential need for financial assistance to attend the ESTRO event, and highlighting the benefits to the department or institute. Applicant should also be available for an interview with the ESTRO decision panel if necessary.

Deadline for submission of application: 16 July 2025 

Application form can be found here.

Application should be sent to info@estro.org