This course is designed to provide clinicians in practice and trainees with a comprehensive review and update of the clinical practice parameters across most sub-disciplines of radiation oncology, including sarcomas and the role of radiotherapy in the multidisciplinary management of cancer patients. The course will review key evidence that forms the basis for current clinical practice guidelines and trends in new approaches. In addition, the course will cover implementation of hypofractionation in key disease sites as well as treatment of oligometastases and use of SBRT to improve outcomes for patients with metastatic disease. It will also provide hands-on experience in contouring for upper GI, breast and lymphomas. It will also inform on the radiobiology of benign disease and a physics session will discuss protons and heavy ions.
Below is session planning content that will help attendees extend and enhance learning as well as reinforce changes in practice. View more information on the overall program.
This session will provide a global overview of breast radiotherapy indications, approaches and techniques, informed by the latest clinical trials and relevant research. By the completion of the session, attendees should be able to identify which patients are suitable for omission of radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer, what kinds of genomic tests have been explored for risk stratification, and what techniques and dose/fractionation schemes demonstrate appropriate efficacy and toxicity profiles for definitive early-stage and locally-advanced breast cancer.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will update participants on emerging trends in central nervous system radiation oncology, with special attention to high grade and low grade gliomas and brain metastases. Additionally, various benign tumors will be reviewed. Focus will be on trends in the last five years, as well as the types of therapies and techniques that we could be seeing in the next few years as clinical trials develop and report.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will evaluate contouring of Upper GI tumors and may include a discussion about esophageal cancers, stomach cancers, pancreatic, hepatobiliary and liver cancers.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will focus on evidence-based breast cancer contouring practices. We will cover accelerated partial breast irradiation, whole breast contouring with considerations for different fractionation schedules, breast boost volumes including simultaneous integrated boosts, regional nodal irradiation volumes including internal mammary nodal boosts, and how volumes may differ when IMRT versus 3-D photon vs. electron techniques are used.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will review the evolution of field design in lymphoma radiation treatments, as well as offer case-based hands-on practice in contouring GTV, CTV and PTV in a variety of types of lymphomas. This session will also review how to optimize modern simulation and planning techniques to minimize unwanted radiation dose to organs at risk.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This talk will provide a review of the current role of radiation therapy in the multidisciplinary management of esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, rectal and anal cancers focusing on the key data supporting current clinical practice and use of technologies, and studies that have impacted the standard of care in the past year.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will review clinical radiation oncology for the management of genitourinary cancers.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will review the indications for radiation therapy for endometrial and cervical cancer, the indications for surgery and systemic therapy for endometrial and cervical cancer, as well as describe the ideal radiation techniques and doses for endometrial and cervical cancer.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This refresher course aims to provide an overview of the treatment of vulvar and vaginal cancer, review current data regarding the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of localized disease and nodal disease, and explore current treatment paradigms. This session will include a discussion of current treatment paradigms, modern radiation treatment techniques, systemic therapies, incorporating predictive molecular studies into practice, and multidisciplinary approaches to optimize outcomes. A brief discussion of supportive care and normal-tissue toxicity will also be included.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
The session will provide a comprehensive update on the multidisciplinary management of head and neck cancers, focusing on advancements in radiotherapy. It will begin with an overview of the epidemiology and risk factors for oropharyngeal, laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and cutaneous malignancies. It will highlight global trends such as the rising incidence of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer and the global variations in head and neck cancer subtypes.
The role of radiotherapy will be highlighted in each disease site, emphasizing key management principles by incorporating the most recent data to guide evidence-based decisions. A general overview summarizing the key fractionation and systemic therapy trials will precede the individual disease sites. For oropharyngeal cancers, recent results from de-escalation studies will be discussed to guide contemporary standards of care. Patient selection for upfront surgery or radiation will also be a key learning objective. For laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, discussions will address the integration of chemotherapy and radiation to preserve voice and swallowing function. Updates on nasopharyngeal cancer will focus on recent advancements in radiotherapy dosing, contouring and planning, and the role of systemic therapy. The management of cutaneous malignancies will cover emerging data on adjuvant radiotherapy for high-risk tumors and its integration with immunotherapy.
Throughout, the lecture will emphasize patient-centered care, incorporating quality-of-life considerations and survivorship challenges into treatment decision making. Insights into optimizing radiation therapy planning and delivery will also be highlighted. This session is essential for clinicians aiming to provide cutting-edge, evidence-based care to patients with head and neck cancers.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will provide clinicians in practice and trainees with a comprehensive review and update of the clinical practice parameters in the multidisciplinary management of patients with lung cancer. We will discuss the management of non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, focusing on the role of radiotherapy in early-stage, locally advanced and metastatic disease. We will review key evidence that forms the basis for current clinical practice guidelines and emerging trends in practice patterns.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
In this session we will review current principles and data supporting the utilization of radiation therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies. We will explore current treatment paradigms as well as modern radiation treatment techniques that are utilized in this patient population. We will examine the indications for cellular therapies and how radiation therapy can serve as a therapeutic partner for the treatment of refractory disease.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will delve into the biological rationale behind SBRT for oligometastatic disease, review emerging clinical evidence supporting its use, and discuss patient selection criteria. Attendees will gain insights into how SBRT fits within the broader treatment paradigm, including its integration with systemic therapies and immunotherapy. Additionally, the session will address challenges such as toxicity management, optimal dose-fractionation schedules, and ongoing clinical trials that may further refine treatment strategies.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
The purpose of this session is to provide a contemporary overview of the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of pediatric malignancies. The session will review the diseases in which radiation therapy is used including the disease presentations, workups, treatment algorithms and radiation treatment details. The session will cover fields, doses, fractionations, common short term side effects, and subacute and late risks of treatment. The session will briefly discuss in which disease proton therapy should be considered.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
CA Cancer J Clin 2017; 67:7-30.
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
The well-defined range of a particle therapy beam may allow users to create a more targeted radiation dose distribution than is possible from an x-ray beam, but careful application of particle beams requires consideration of several uncertainties that are relatively trivial in photon therapy. This presentation will describe some of the chief differences between particle therapy and x-ray treatments, including robust optimization, consideration of tumor depth during image guidance, off-line plan verification and adaptation, and attention to biologic dose. Some emerging trends in particle therapy will also be discussed, such as the development of online adaptive proton therapy and progress toward the first heavy ion therapy facility in the United States.
Quality assurance is crucial for new and rapidly evolving technologies, such as proton and heavy ion radiation therapy, which require accurate application to be effective.
In this session, the critical role of peer review audits in particle therapy will be demonstrated, underscoring their importance in ensuring the accuracy and safety of cancer treatments. Peer review audits serve as a vital checkpoint, catching potential errors in treatment planning and delivery that could otherwise compromise patient (and clinical trial) outcomes. Several real-world examples of particle therapy treatment planning and delivery errors identified through peer review audits will be presented, illustrating the types of issues that can arise and the impact of these audits in catching and correcting them. Additionally, practical techniques for rectifying such errors will be shared, providing valuable insights for practitioners.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
This session will explore the role of Low Dose Radiotherapy (LDRT) in treating osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent and debilitating condition affecting millions worldwide. Despite its widespread use in Europe, LDRT remains underutilized in the United States. Recent international studies have demonstrated significant improvements in pain relief and mobility for OA patients treated with LDRT, highlighting its potential as a cost-effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional therapies. The session may include educational discussions of the pathophysiology of OA and the background of the current treatment landscape of OA, emphasizing the limitations of existing therapies. The session can include a radiobiology focus on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of low-dose radiotherapy, as well as delve into the historical and modern applications of LDRT, examining and reviewing recent clinical evidence that supports its efficacy and safety. The discussion will address the controversies surrounding LDRT, including the potential risk of secondary malignancies, and provide guidance on treatment planning, including dose fractionation and energy considerations. Attendees will gain insights into the benefits of integrating LDRT into OA management protocols and explore future research directions necessary to solidify its role in clinical practice. This session aims to foster a renewed interest in LDRT among U.S. practitioners and encourage collaborative efforts to re-evaluate its application in benign musculoskeletal disorders.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
We will review the literature for key aspects of soft tissue sarcoma management in adults. The goal will be to provide evidence base to guide clinicians on practice for management of these rare tumors.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
References
Potential Challenges/Barriers to Change
