Course Directors:

Remi Nout, Radiation Oncologist, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam (NL) 

Monica Serban, Medical Physicist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (CAN)

Teachers:

Kjersti Bruheim, Medical Physcist, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo (NO)

Simon Duke, Radiation Oncologist/PhD Student, Addenbrooke´s Hospital- Oncology Centre, Cambridge (UK)

Nicole Eder Nesvacil, Medical Physicist, Medical University Hospital, Vienna (AT) 

Li Tee Tan, Radiation Oncologist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital - Oncology Centre, Cambridge (UK)

Cyrus Chargari, Radiation Oncologist, Pitié Salpêtrière University Hospital (FR)

Diana-Cristina Pop, Medical Physicist, "Prof.Dr. Ion Chiricuta" Institute of Oncology, Cluj-Napoca (RO).

Local Faculty:

Jacob Lindegaard, Aarhus University 

Lars Fokdal, Aarhus University 

Kari Tanderup, Aarhus University 

The course is focused on the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer and aims to: 

• Provide foundational knowledge of 3D image-based EBRT and brachytherapy techniques
• Build understanding of commissioning processes, quality assurance, treatment planning principles, plan evaluation and reporting in both 2D and 3D brachytherapy
• Introduce adaptive 3D image-based target concepts of GTV, CTV and PTV, in both EBRT and brachytherapy
• Enable practical implementation of 3D techniques in EBRT and brachytherapy
• Provide a comprehensive overview of radiotherapy approaches and clinical outcome in gynaecological cancers.
• Facilitate the transition from 2D to 3D workflows by addressing practical implementation and logistics.

• Outline next steps and interventions to enhance current standards of care

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

• Grasp the principles of 3D image-guided brachytherapy and apply advanced brachytherapy techniques in clinical practice
• Perform contouring and treatment planning for 3D image-guided EBRT and brachytherapy in routine practice
• Implement procedures for 3D image-guided brachytherapy workflows for cervical cancer within their departments
• Implement advanced EBRT techniques for cervical cancer into their clinical workflow
• Identify and reflect on barriers to implementation, and provide constructive feedback based on their experience
   

COURSE CONTENT

• Normal, pathologic anatomy and clinical examination of female pelvis 
• Image-based pelvic anatomy including US, CT, MRI and conventional radiography
• Target volume definitions (CTV/ITV/PTV) for external beam radiation therapy
• Combination of external irradiation and brachytherapy
• Brachytherapy application techniques, including intracavitary and combined intracavitary-interstitial approaches
• Commissioning and quality assurance for 3D treatment planning processes.
• Treatment planning for brachytherapy
• Target volume delineation based on ICRU 89: GTV, CTV, PTV at diagnosis and at time of brachytherapy, including adaptive target concepts for both 2D and 3D brachytherapy
• Considerations for dose, dose-rate, fractionation and overall treatment time
• Radiobiological principles of combined EBRT and brachytherapy, including use of linear-quadratic model
• Prescribing, recording and reporting following ICRU 89 GEC-ESTRO recommendations and ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines for cervical cancer management
• Therapeutic outcomes with chemoradiation and image-guided EBRT and brachytherapy, including data from the EMBRACE studies
• Reflection on participants’ own clinical experience in image-guided radiotherapy (experienced track)
   

PREREQUISITES

A number of mandatory recorded lectures will be made available that are highly recommended to be viewed before the course

TEACHING METHODS

Description: The tutorials include core principles, evidence-based treatment approaches, contouring guidelines and essential processes related to advanced EBRT and brachytherapy techniques and quality assurance. The hands-on practical sessions provide direct learning experience with clinical approaches, brachytherapy techniques, contouring exercises, and evaluation along with discussions on 3D radiotherapy.

• Practical workshops: 8 hours
• Video presentations by faculty: 4 hours – Clinician Pre-course questionnaire

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

• Lectures: 16 hours
• Applicators commissioning and reconstruction: 6 hours - Physicists
• Contouring (FALCON tool) and dose planning exercises (pre- and post-course homework)  Interactive feedback through audience voting on specific questions during lectures MCQ (interactive session at the end of the course) ESTRO teaching course evaluation form  

KEY WORDS

• Evidence based multi-modality management guidelines, including transition from 2D to 3D
• 3D Image Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy (IGABT) in cervical cancer
• Contouring recommendations for advanced EBRT such as IMRT and IGRT and for image-based brachytherapy with focus on cervical cancer

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.

A programme is available here. (Updated 24.08)

The course will be held here:

Aarhus University Hospital
Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99
DK-8200 Aarhus N

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. To benefit from the member registration rate, you must subscribe for the ESTRO membership 2026 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 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.

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 2026 are eligible (please make sure your 2026 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