Physics Topics At ESTRO 27 (European Society For Therapeutic Radiology And Oncology)

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 22 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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This years Physics programme includes several symposia covering a number of state-of-the-art topics including respiratory and other organ movements, basic dosimetric considerations for beams delivered by new technology units such as Cyberknife and TomoTherapy Hi-Art as well as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) from conventional linear accelerators. Scientists and medical physicists from all continents are contributing to make this meeting a great success. From the large number of abstracts submitted (390), the ESTRO physics committee have selected the five that were considered rapidly emerging topics or novel contributions to the field. The topics selected are:

- A novel and fast method for temporal 3D imaging of lung tumours prior treatment based on cone beam CT will be presented by Rit et al.

- Van Herk et al will present a method for considering the differential motion pattern between target volumes and organs at risk when treating lesions in the lung.

- A new and objective method for evaluation of treatment techniques and/or treatment planning system resulting from a Scandinavian co-operation will be presented by Ottosson et al. They have applied the Pareto concept for evaluation of treatment modalities. The concept has previously been explored by other groups for selecting the optimum patient specific plan.

- A mathematical learning algorithm using Principle

Component Analysis is applied, to create a deformable patient model that predicts organ motion in the pelvic area, is explored to improve treatment planning will be presented by Sobotta et al.

- Reinvention of intensity modulated arc therapy in the form of VMAT and RapidArc. The paper by Zimmerman et al discusses dosimetric verification of the later technology.

The ESTRO Physics Committee believes these five presentations give a measure of the high quality of the papers submitted to the ESTRO 27 in Göteborg. It is of interest to note that several abstracts are submitted by groups with participants from more than one country, an indication of how science advances with modern technologies.

Tommy Knöös, Chairperson
Dag-Rhune Olsen and Brendan McClean
Scientific Advisory Committee Radiation Physics

About ESTRO 27

ESTRO 27 (September 14th to 18th, 2008) offered an outstanding scientific programme combining lectures from eminent invited speakers, proffered papers and poster discussions, teaching lectures on a wide range of topics including clinical issues, brachytherapy, radiobiology, physics and technology as well as debates on controversial topics and clinical case discussions, a special poster reception, poster discussion sessions and electronic poster viewing.

ESTRO 27 hosted the largest European exhibition in Radiotherapy with participation from all the leading manufacturers.

ESTRO 27

ESTRO (European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)