9-13 May 2012 • Barcelona, Spain - Estro-events.org

PHYSICS PRe-MeeTIng COuRSe • WeDneSDaY, 9 MaY 2012
course dIrector:
H. nyström (Se)
Pre re-M -Meeting eeting CCourses
ourses
WHaT a PHYSICIST SHOuLD COnSIDeR beFORe gOIng InTO a PROTOn THeRaPY PROJeCT
course aIms:
In many countries in europe as well as in the rest of the world, proton therapy facilities are either in the process of
being created or are already well-established. In fact, the increase in the number of new facilities has been more or
less exponential for many years, leading to an increased demand for medical physicists capable of carrying out proton
therapy projects.
There are many obvious advantages when using proton therapy compared to conventional photon based radiotherapy,
since a significantly larger fraction of the absorbed dose is actually delivered to the target volumes and an overall superior
dose distribution is achieved.
However, substantial differences exist in terms of technology, treatment planning, dosimetry, Qa etc. What is a reasonable
staffing level? What is a reasonable “business plan”? How should acceptance testing be performed? What are
the demands for clinical commissioning? What are the demands for treatment planning? What are the demands for Qa?
This course aims at answering a few of the above-mentioned questions and at giving an overview of the particular aspects
of radiotherapy that are specific to proton therapy. In particular those involved in the start up phase of a proton
therapy project or those that are considering entering into such a project would benefit from participation.
Who should attend?
The participant in the course is expected to be a medical physicist experienced in conventional radiotherapy but curious
about proton therapy.
content:
• Introduction to the physics and basic dosimetry of protons,
• acceptance testing and clinical commissioning of scanned and scattered proton beams,
• Treatment planning for protons, including margin concepts,
• CT scanning and the handling of image artefacts,
• Obtaining an efficient patient flow in a multi gantry PT facility,
• Qa and verification planning.
ESTRO
31
2012
PHYSICS PRe-MeeTIng COuRSe • WeDneSDaY, 9 MaY 2012
JoIntly organIsed by gec-estro brachyphysIcs group and estro physIcs commIttee
ReCenT aDVanCeS In bRaCHYTHeRaPY PHYSICS
course dIrectors:
J. LM Venselaar (nL) and D. baltas (De)
course aIms:
• To demonstrate the most recent developments in brachytherapy physics: a discussion on recent and future societal
reports and recommendations,
• To discuss the developments in source calibration, quality assurance, and new equipment,
• To discuss the steps towards modern 3D conformal image based brachytherapy,
• To discuss new and forthcoming advanced treatment planning: model based dose calculation algorithms and inverse
planning and optimisation methodologies in intensity modulated brachytherapy,
• To discuss the similarities and differences between modern 3D conformal eRT and bRT and its consequences for the
concepts of margins.
Who should attend?
The course is aimed primarily at medical physicists and medical physicists in training, and at radiation technologists
willing to update themselves on the latest developments in brachytherapy physics. a basic knowledge of brachytherapy
physics is required.
content:
• Status of present day brachytherapy physics: weak and strong points, challenges and possibilities, and recent technological
developments,
• Calibration of sources, RaKR/Sk, and/or dose-to-water concept (iMeRa project); dosimetry chain from PSDL to enduser,
• new approaches in brachytherapy dose calculation: model based dose calculation algorithms (MC, grid based boltzmann
solvers, primary/scatter separation),
• Inverse planning and optimisation methodologies in intensity modulated brachytherapy,
• Image guided brachytherapy: use of CT and MRI, uS (and PeT) in bT, choice of settings, sequences, fusion, functional
imaging,
• Specific Qa requirements for modern imaging procedures in RT and bT,
• uncertainties associated with the physical aspects: calibration and dose calculation,
• uncertainties associated with the clinical steps: accuracy in imaging, reconstruction, delivery, implications of inter/
intrafraction movement,
• Similarities and differences in modern 3D conformal eRT and bRT and its consequences for margin concepts,
• In-vivo dosimetry: techniques and possible applications.
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