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

 

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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.

Program Format

This is a 2 ½ day symposium with 2 full days of didactic lectures, panels and “how-to” sessions on IGRT technology and a ½ day of didactic lectures and panels on SBRT technology.

Travel Grants
To encourage participation in this symposium, ASTRO has established a fund to subsidize meeting attendance. ASTRO will award $1,000 for domestic travel and $1,500 for international travel. The application deadline is March 24, 2009.

Access the travel grant application with full instructions and criteria.

Registration and Housing
Registration and housing will open in late January. Please check back for more information.