Course Director

• Carl Salembier, Radiation Oncologist, Europe Hospitals Brussel, Brussels (BE)

Teachers

• Peter Bownes, Medical Physicist, St James Institute of Oncology, London (UK)
• Peter Hoskin, Clinical Oncologist, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, London (UK) and The Christie, Manchester (UK)
• Piotr Lelek, Radiation Oncologist, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology (MSCNRIO), Gliwice (PL)
• Stefan Machtens, Urologist, Marien- Krankenhaus, Bergisch Gladbach (DE)

Local Organiser

• Prof. Filippo Alongi: Radiation Oncologist, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital Negrar-Verona, University of Brescia (IT)

The course aims to: 

• Discuss patient selection, indications and contra-indications for brachytherapy. 
• Provide an overview of the, physics background techniques, equipment and staffing for a prostate brachytherapy unit and regulatory requirements. 
• Give an overview of the results, side effects and their management 
• Discuss new developments relevant to brachytherapy in imaging, focal therapy and salvage

Learning Outcomes

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

• Requirements for successful prostate brachytherapy
• Relevant patient groups for prostate brachytherapy and the literature reporting their outcome  
• Current areas of development in focal and salvage prostate brachytherapy.

Course Content

This course includes an overview on epidemiology and treatment options for localised prostate cancer.   Patient selection for both HDR and LDR seed implants will be discussed with treatment indications and contra-indications. Practical examples of gland evaluation, different implant techniques, ways of treatment planning, and post implant evaluation are presented in the context of videos and interactive discussions between participants and the teaching staff. New approaches are discussed including salvage and focal therapy. Comparisons are presented between LDR and HDR brachytherapy implants and between brachytherapy and other treatments available for prostate cancer.

Prerequisites

Before commencing this course participants should:

• Revise the general principles of prostate cancer pathology, diagnosis and staging
• Read the published GEC-ESTRO guidelines in LDR and HDR prostate brachytherapy
• Complete the FALCON* exercise which is distributed prior to the course.
• Access the blended learning virtual lectures

Teaching Methods

• 3 hours of virtual lectures
• 8 hours of lectures
• 1 hour of contouring
• 2 hours of practical workshops
• 3 hours of interactive discussions.

Methods of Assessment

• MCQ  
• Delineation exercises
• Evaluation form.

A draft of the scientific programme will be available soon.

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.

Crowne Plaza Verona – Fiera

Via Belgio, 16, 37135 Verona VR

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