This year the ESTRO Teaching Course on „Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer” took place in the very nice Polish city of Poznan, which greeted participants with sunshine, warm hospitality and the charm of a beautiful old city. This was not my first ESTRO course but probably one of the best that I have attended so to my usual score of „excellent” it would be possible to add several pluses.
We are at the beginning of our prostate brachytherapy programme so my expectations were to understand such basic issues as patient selection, technical details of the procedure, tips and tricks of planning and the treatment itself. Fortunately the content of the course actually surpassed my expectations. The main advantage and attraction of this course was the effective combination of basic, instructive information with a comprehensive overview of data from the literature and a critical analysis of different perspectives.
The first day started with an enthusiastic introduction to the problem, a detailed presentation of prostate anatomy, the epidemiology of prostate cancer and a technical overview of main brachytherapy techniques – high and low dose rate implants. Deep analysis of modern visualisation methods, their accuracy and impact on treatment planning, was supported by clear recommendations for the clinical use of each modality.
Following discussion of LDR techniques and GEC-ESTRO recommendations, we were given a very clear picture of advantages and shortcomings or permanent implants and their clinical value. Step by step presentations of pre-, intra- and post-operative planning gave the participants a broad view of the whole spectrum of opportunities. Of special interest was the disscusion about differences in planning for LDR and HDR implants and subsequent on line demonstration of various planning processes to help our understanding of all the tips and tricks of this procedure.
The comprehensive presentation of acute and late complications of prostate brachytherapy, their prediction, prevention and treatment war very useful and again underlined the responsibility of the brachytherapy team and was followed by inspiring clinical results.
The warm hospitality of local organisers was complemented by a very interesting trip around Greater Poland Cancer Centre, which looks fantastic.
Finally, intensive workshops during coffee breaks at the booths of sponsor helped to mature theoretical knowledge through practical exercies. And talking of coffee breaks, I must especially mention the high quality of their organization, which helped greatly to maintain the intensive workflow during the whole day. A particular attraction of these breaks were the intensive discussions between participants representing a wide range of specialties (radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists and physicists) from all over the world.
At the end of the day we had a fascinating dinner accompanied by beautiful music in the lovely „Piano Bar” with excellent local cuisine. But of course the main attraction of this evening was the talk around the tables, jokes and toasts.
The third day was the last but without doubt not the least. It started with a lecture about new indications for prostate brachytherapy and continued with interesting talks about QA, radiation protection and the history brachytherapy in Poland. Future developments and salvage therapy gave us insights into a beautiful future. The last lecture devoted to comparative analysis of permanent seeds and HDR brachytherapy was among the most interesting and was recognised as the valuable final accord.
It is special pleasure to thank all the teachers who prepared and performed in this wonderful event: P. Hoskin, B. Al.-Qaisieh, J.M. Cosset, S. Machtens, F.A. Siebert and M. van Vulpen. Special recognition must also go to course co-ordinator G. Francois for the excellent organisation and management of the course, and again many thanks to the local organisers under the leadership of J. Skowronek.
I think that ESTRO members can be very proud and happy that our organisation provides such excellent opportunities to develop our specialty, improve professional skills and study new techniques and methods. Good Luck!
We are at the beginning of our prostate brachytherapy programme so my expectations were to understand such basic issues as patient selection, technical details of the procedure, tips and tricks of planning and the treatment itself. Fortunately the content of the course actually surpassed my expectations. The main advantage and attraction of this course was the effective combination of basic, instructive information with a comprehensive overview of data from the literature and a critical analysis of different perspectives.
The first day started with an enthusiastic introduction to the problem, a detailed presentation of prostate anatomy, the epidemiology of prostate cancer and a technical overview of main brachytherapy techniques – high and low dose rate implants. Deep analysis of modern visualisation methods, their accuracy and impact on treatment planning, was supported by clear recommendations for the clinical use of each modality.
Following discussion of LDR techniques and GEC-ESTRO recommendations, we were given a very clear picture of advantages and shortcomings or permanent implants and their clinical value. Step by step presentations of pre-, intra- and post-operative planning gave the participants a broad view of the whole spectrum of opportunities. Of special interest was the disscusion about differences in planning for LDR and HDR implants and subsequent on line demonstration of various planning processes to help our understanding of all the tips and tricks of this procedure.
The comprehensive presentation of acute and late complications of prostate brachytherapy, their prediction, prevention and treatment war very useful and again underlined the responsibility of the brachytherapy team and was followed by inspiring clinical results.
The warm hospitality of local organisers was complemented by a very interesting trip around Greater Poland Cancer Centre, which looks fantastic.
Finally, intensive workshops during coffee breaks at the booths of sponsor helped to mature theoretical knowledge through practical exercies. And talking of coffee breaks, I must especially mention the high quality of their organization, which helped greatly to maintain the intensive workflow during the whole day. A particular attraction of these breaks were the intensive discussions between participants representing a wide range of specialties (radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists and physicists) from all over the world.
At the end of the day we had a fascinating dinner accompanied by beautiful music in the lovely „Piano Bar” with excellent local cuisine. But of course the main attraction of this evening was the talk around the tables, jokes and toasts.
The third day was the last but without doubt not the least. It started with a lecture about new indications for prostate brachytherapy and continued with interesting talks about QA, radiation protection and the history brachytherapy in Poland. Future developments and salvage therapy gave us insights into a beautiful future. The last lecture devoted to comparative analysis of permanent seeds and HDR brachytherapy was among the most interesting and was recognised as the valuable final accord.
It is special pleasure to thank all the teachers who prepared and performed in this wonderful event: P. Hoskin, B. Al.-Qaisieh, J.M. Cosset, S. Machtens, F.A. Siebert and M. van Vulpen. Special recognition must also go to course co-ordinator G. Francois for the excellent organisation and management of the course, and again many thanks to the local organisers under the leadership of J. Skowronek.
I think that ESTRO members can be very proud and happy that our organisation provides such excellent opportunities to develop our specialty, improve professional skills and study new techniques and methods. Good Luck!