Advances in Technology: IGRT and SBRT Symposium
Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Miami
May 15-17, 2009

 

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Needs Statement
At least 60 percent of cancer patients receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment. The latest advances in imaging and computer technology have revolutionized how radiation therapy is delivered to these patients. Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) represent two high-precision technologies that are being rapidly transitioned to the clinic.

IGRT refers to frequent imaging during a radiation therapy course, to be used to improve the precision and accuracy of radiation delivery. With reduced setup error from IGRT, there is a higher likelihood of delivering doses as planned, from intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3-D conformal radiotherapy. With image guided radiotherapy techniques, new clinical applications of radiation therapy are made possible (e.g. radical treatment of paraspinal and liver cancers), and the volume of healthy tissue exposed to radiation therapy can be reduced. SBRT refers to the precise deliver of biologically potent doses of radiation therapy to be precisely delivered to tumors, in far fewer fractions than conventionally used. IGRT is a critical component of SBRT. IGRT and SBRT continue to evolve, and it will be several more years before we fully understand the optimal techniques, judicious use and how they may impact clinical outcomes.

For the adaptation of IGRT and SBRT, the successful clinic needs to review and decide on criteria such as patient selection, immobilization options, set-up uncertainties, multimodality imaging, image registration, motion evaluation and management, quality assurance and correction strategies. It is also necessary to consider image guidance systems, optimal work flow solutions, decision making processes for the acceptance of daily image guidance and storage and retrieval of image guidance for further adaptation of IGRT.

IGRT and SBRT have the potential to significantly improve the therapeutic ratio by reducing toxicity and improving control rates. They are hardware, software and labor intensive and continue to be refined with more efficient work flow solutions.

• Meeting Brochure

Program Objectives

• Present a snapshot of current IGRT and SBRT technologies.
• Discuss how to safely implement IGRT and SBRT.
• Acquire practical information on the basic tools for IGRT and SBRT.
• Become aware of pitfalls and cautions in IGRT, adaptive radiation therapy and SBRT.
• Highlight future directions of research in IGRT and SBRT.

Target Audience
This course is designed for radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology administrators, residents and early career faculty, and all other health professionals involved in the field of radiation oncology.

Travel Grants
ASTRO is pleased to offer travel grants for this symposium. ASTRO funds awards through the Radiation Oncology Institute (formerly the ASTRO Education and Development Fund). ASTRO will award $1,000 for domestic travel and $1,500 for international travel. The application deadline has passed.