Image Guideed Radiotherapy in Clinical Practice. 29 Octubre – 2 Noviembre 2017. Atenas (Grecia).

TARGET GROUP

The course is aimed at all professionals in the field of radiation oncology that are involved in target localisation at any point in the treatment chain, this includes radiation oncologists, radiation physicists, and radiation therapists (RTTs). A good understanding of issues related to target delineation, target localisation and patient set-up is a prerequisite as well as some experience in the field. As the emphasis will be on the integration of image guidance and adaptive techniques as well as their practical implementation, the “team effort” is important. Simultaneous participation of physicists, radiation oncologists and radiation technologists is strongly encouraged.

COURSE AIM/RATIONALE

The course aims to:

• Cover both theoretical and practical aspects related to the clinical implementation of in-room imaging and plan adaptation in radiotherapy
• Review imaging techniques that can be applied in the workflow of conformal radiotherapy and understand how individual links in the chain of events will influence clinical outcome (from treatment prescription to preparation and planning, to patient set-up and verification)
• Identify potential sources of errors in target delineation/ localisation and how IGRT can be of help, with special emphasis on conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy, adaptive radiotherapy and management of organ motion
• Discuss the concept “target delineation – target localisation” at each particular step in the treatment chain and identify appropriate techniques to increase both efficiency as well as efficacy
• Discuss the concept of treatment adaptation and its implementation in the context of the present technological capabilities
• Offer an overview of available technologies and how to integrate these in clinical practice
• Compare available strategies and help define applicability for particular use
• Present the functionality of the equipment and technology, and identify limitations of a particular method
• Present practical recommendations for establishing an efficient image-guided workflow through optimal integration of available technologies and to emphasise the importance of teamwork and training
• Present the components of a QA strategy of IGRT systems.