Quantitative Methods in Radiation Oncology. 8 – 11 Octubre 2017. Maastricht (Holanda).

TARGET GROUP

The course is aimed at physicians, medical physicists, biologists and radiation therapists (RTTs).

COURSE AIM/RATIONALE

The aim of this course is to make the attendees better at making model-supported decisions. Radiation oncology probably has the most solid quantitative foundation among medical specialties. As in other specialties, results of randomised controlled trials form evidence-based treatment guidelines; but in addition, prognostic and predictive models provide clinical decision support for individualised management of cases. Radiation bioeffect models of Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) and Tumour Control Probability (TCP) have become much more refined and are increasingly being validated in independent datasets.

While integration of quantitative estimates of various treatment outcomes is likely to improve patient care, it is also important to understand the limitations of model estimates and to be able to assess the validity or quality of a statistical data analysis or a mathematical model. Uncritical reliance on model results may compromise patient safety or treatment outcome.