The PENTEC (Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic) Steering Committee is offering to provide guidance to young investigators interested in studying aspects of long-term adverse normal tissue effects following pediatric radiation therapy. The goal of this initiative is to assist investigators in developing research projects with strong potential for successful implementation.

Potential investigations may include:

• Retrospective or prospective studies
• Concepts that are not yet fully defined
• Single-institutional or multi-institutional projects (e.g., collaborations involving the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort or the CCSS – Childhood Cancer Survivor Study)
• Projects that may or may not currently have identified funding sources

A list of possible endpoints can be downloaded here. These endpoints have been preliminarily scored by the PENTEC group based on their estimated significance. However, the committee welcomes discussions about any research idea investigators may wish to pursue, including initiatives aimed at establishing a late-effects research program.

For many endpoints, significant knowledge gaps remain, including limited data on:

• Quantitative radiation dose–response relationships
• Time to onset of late effects
• Whether effects plateau, continue to progress, or improve over time
• Age-related influences
• Interactions with systemic therapies, including emerging immunobiologic agents

The PENTEC Steering Committee strongly recommends that investigators engage a local experienced mentor to participate in the project. The committee will aim to provide guidance to both the young investigator and their local mentor.

Investigators interested in learning more are encouraged to contact:

Louis S. Constine, MD

louis_constine@urmc.rochester.edu

Laura Finger

laura_finger@urmc.rochester.edu

To assist interested investigators, please download the PENTEC Introduction and User’s Guide.

Additional resources:

RED Journal PENTEC Issue:

PENTEC Website

The PENTEC Steering Committee looks forward to supporting the development of new research initiatives in this important area.

📅 When: Every third Tuesday of the month, 16:00 CET
🎓 Who can attend: Available only for PROS members

“Ewing Sarcoma: Modern Era Perspectives”

Speaker: Dr Safia Ahmed
Tuesday, March 17, 16:00 – 16:45 CET

Webinar objectives:
-Review the natural history, diagnosis, workup, treatment, and prognosis of Ewing sarcoma
-Appreciate the nuances of Ewing sarcoma treatment in the modern era, particularly as they relate to radiation therapy

Register [HERE] - Available only to PROS members

The Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) is pleased to open the nomination period for the following Executive Committee positions for the term 2026-2028:

• Treasurer
• Education Representative for North America
• Allied Health Professional Representative
• Website Representative
• Membership Representative

We encourage all members to take part in this process, either by nominating qualified colleagues or by accepting a nomination themselves. Leadership within PROS is strengthened when our members are actively engaged, and your participation ensures that our Society continues to reflect the dedication and expertise of its community.

Role of the Executive Committee

 As defined in the PROS Statutes, the Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the Society's overall affairs. Its duties include:

• Conducting the General Assembly and supervising the Society’s activities;
• Defining PROS policies and proposing or reviewing membership applications;
• Proposing and/or reviewing the format and themes of the biennial Congress;
• Proposing amendments to the Statutes and By-Laws;
• Filling vacancies by appointment until the next General Assembly;
• Determining membership fees annually;
• Overseeing the work of the Scientific Committee; and
• Appointing ad hoc committees, working groups, or commissions as needed.

Specific role responsibilities

Treasurer
The Treasurer is a member of the Executive Committee and is responsible for monitoring the Society’s financial accounts. This includes maintaining detailed financial records, reporting on the accounts at each General Assembly (or upon request by the Executive Committee), and arranging an annual audit of the Society’s accounts.

Nomination details:

• Eligibility: All nominees must be current PROS members.

• Application materials: Short biography, photograph, and motivation letter.

• Nomination period: Open from today until April 28, 2026
• Submission: Please send nominations to the PROS Secretariat at prosmembership@kenes.com

We count on your involvement in this important occasion and look forward to receiving your nominations.

📅 When: Every third Tuesday of the month, 16:00 CET
🎓 Who can attend: Available only for PROS members

“Radiotherapy in Pediatric and AYA Ependymoma: Current Practice and Future Perspectives”

Speaker: Prof Anne Laprie
Tuesday, February 17, 16:00 – 16:45 CET

Join us for a comprehensive overview of radiotherapy management in pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) ependymoma. We'll explore current indications and techniques for first-line therapy, discuss treatment strategies at recurrence, review both acute and long-term side effects, and emerging perspectives that may shape the future of ependymoma care. Whether you're looking to refine your clinical practice or stay current with evolving evidence in this challenging tumor type, this webinar will provide practical insights grounded in the latest research and clinical experience.

Register [HERE] - Available only to PROS members

The Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) is pleased to announce the election of Prof Dr Beate Timmermann as the Society’s Secretary for the 2026–2028 term. 

Professor Timmermann has been an active member of the PROS leadership and has served as the Society’s Membership Representative, contributing significantly to member engagement and community development. Building on this experience, she will now take on a key governance role within the Executive Committee.

Her term as Secretary will begin in 2026.

PROS warmly congratulates Prof Dr Beate Timmermann on her election and thanks all members who participated in the nomination and voting process.

Registration for the PROS 2026 Conference in Cancun, Mexico (June 3–6, 2026) is officially open.

Secure your spot and join us in Cancun for an inspiring and impactful meeting.

Visit the Conference website and register today:
http://pros2026.org/

Update:

The 50% deadline has been extended to the end of February 2026.

Dear PROS members,

We are pleased to announce a forthcoming special issue of the European Journal of Cancer Paediatric Oncology (EJCPED) dedicated to “Radiotherapy for Children and Young People.” This special issue aims to highlight the latest research, clinical advancements, and innovative approaches in this vital area of paediatric oncology. There is an emphasis on the importance of multi‑professional team working in paediatric radiation oncology, and international efforts to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Given the expertise and significant contributions to the field by PROS members, we warmly invite you to submit your work for consideration. This may include review articles, as well as original research papers. All submissions will be subject to rigorous peer review, and acceptance is not guaranteed.

The Guest Editors – Cathy Dunlea, Callum Gillies, and Mark Gaze – are very grateful for your potential contribution and look forward to your involvement. Please consider submitting original research articles, reviews, or short communications that align with the theme and overall aims and scope of the journal.

Publication fees and discounts:

• �A 50% discount on the open access fee is available for articles submitted by February 28, 2026 (deadline has been extended) and accepted after peer review.
• Additionally, SIOP‑E members are eligible for an extra 50% discount on the open access fee.
• Please note: manuscripts submitted in January or February 2026 are not eligible for the calendar‑year discount; however, the SIOP‑E member discount remains valid.

For more details, please see here.

Key deadline:

• Full manuscript submission: ideally no later than 28 February 2026.

Important: When submitting your manuscript, please choose the Special Issue title “Paediatric Radiotherapy” in the system to ensure the paper is correctly tagged and handled.

For detailed submission guidelines and further information, please visit the journal’s Guide for Authors, or contact us directly at mgaze@nhs.net.

Thank you very much for your consideration. We hope you will join us in making this special issue a significant contribution to the field of paediatric radiotherapy.

Yours faithfully,
Cathy Dunlea
Callum Gillies
Mark Gaze

We invite all PROS members, worldwide and without geographical restrictions, to submit their interest in hosting our next biennial conference. This event brings together radiation oncologists, clinical oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists, and the wider multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving radiotherapy for children and young adults.

Important requirement:
Every application must include the details of a local Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) who will support the planning and on-site delivery of the congress.

Why host a PROS Congress?
Hosting a PROS Congress is a unique opportunity to welcome the global pediatric radiation oncology community to your region, share local expertise, support professional development for your national and regional teams, and advance high-quality radiotherapy access worldwide.

Bidding Timeline – PROS 2028:

• By January 31st, 2026: Submission of Letter of Interest
• February 2026: PROS Executive Committee review and selection of up to three candidate hosts
• By April 30th, 2026: Submission of the Full Proposal, following the structure in the PROS 2028 Bid Manual, including confirmation of the local PCO

The bidding process is open to all interested PROS members, and we appreciate your commitment to advancing our shared mission through this important initiative. 

If you would like to participate, please consult the PROS 2028 Bid Manual for all instructions and requirements.

All files related to the PROS 2028 Conference should be submitted to: prossecretariat@kenes.com 

📅 When: Every third Tuesday of the month, 16:00 CET
🎓 Who can attend: Available only for PROS members

“Role of RT in Infant CNS Tumours”

Speaker: Prof Dr Beate Timmermann
Tuesday, December 16, 16:00 – 16:45 CET

Recording available [here] - Available only to PROS members

We are delighted to announce that the PROS 2025 pre-congress Education Day program is now available, and registration is open. The event will be hosted at UMC Utrecht in Utrecht, Netherlands, on 19 October  — just one day before the SIOP 2025 Congress.

Be part of this special event to gain insights from leading experts, explore real-world case examples, and connect with colleagues from around the globe!

See the program here

Register here

Congratulations to Dr. Arnold Paulino of MD Anderson Cancer Center on being selected as the next President of PROS! 

Dr. Arnold dela Cruz Paulino is a Professor of Radiation Oncology and Section Chief of Pediatric Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. After immigrating from the Philippines, he finished his premedical studies and attended medical school in Houston. This was followed by a radiation oncology residency at Loyola University Medical Center and a 1-year fellowship at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

He is a fellow of the American College of Radiology, American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and American Radium Society and was awarded Distinguished Alumnus at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School in 2021. He is the author of more than 250 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 40 book chapters dealing with pediatric radiation oncology. Many of his papers have included the initial experience of intensity modulated radiotherapy in children. He has also published extensively on late effects of radiotherapy,  proton therapy, and education of residents and pediatric radiation oncologists.

Dr. Paulino is the Radiation Oncology Lead for the Children’s Oncology Group Renal Tumor Committee and has been an active member of COG for the past 20 years.  His educational experience includes being a teacher at the ESTRO School for Paediatrics and Course Director for the MD Anderson Pediatric Radiation Oncology Course given annually to radiation oncology residents and fellows in the United States.

His teaching awards have included the International Radiotherapy Award from the Society of Neurooncology in Latin America (SNOLA), the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) Teacher of the Year 4 times, Distinguished Service award 2 times from the American Board of Radiology for being involved as a question writer and oral board examiner  for primary certification in Radiation Oncology, the Golden Apple Award from Houston Methodist Hospital in 2013, the Luis Delclos Excellence in Teaching Award in 2020, the Department of Radiation Oncology Excellence in Education Award in 2023 from MD Anderson as well as other memorial lectureships.

As President-Elect of PROS, his main goals include increasing the membership and non-congress activities through social media and increasing the value of being a PROS Member by providing activities exclusive to its members such as teaching sessions, invitation to speak and moderate in conferences as well as participation in working groups and publications.

One Voice for Radiotherapy: Creating World Radiotherapy Awareness Day

We all know that radiotherapy (or radiation therapy) is vital for curing cancer, alleviating symptoms, and improving quality of life. Access to radiotherapy is directly linked to improved survival for many cancers. Radiotherapy is also a highly cost-effective cancer treatment. However, around the world significant regional and national disparities persist. Reasons include inadequate services, geographical barriers, insufficient workforce and lack of awareness of modern radiotherapy amongst patients, the general community, healthcare professionals and policymakers.   The purpose of creating a radiotherapy awareness day is to provide a platform and opportunity for the global radiotherapy community to join in focusing the attention of the general public, media and government on the vital importance of radiotherapy. 

The theme for WRAD for the next three years is “One Voice for Radiotherapy”. WRAD will launch on 7^th September 2025, the date the first patient was treated on a linear accelerator.

Reaching this Point

We announced the concept of World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) in November, 2024, at an event during London Global Cancer Week.  The support from the radiotherapy community (societies, professional bodies, patient advocate groups and individuals) was overwhelming. A subsequent planning meeting was held in March, 2025, during which the WRAD date, logo, theme and campaign messages were announced.  Surveys before and throughout the events encouraged widespread input on decisions about these key campaign features. The planning events were both in-person and virtual, running over two time periods to enhance global accessibility.   We had over 800 registrants at the two meetings from all parts of the globe, a testament to the enthusiasm for the WRAD initiative. Various society representatives, radiotherapy professionals and patient advocates were invited to speak to the importance of WRAD and showcase engagement initiatives. All major professional radiotherapy societies have been approached to understand their goals for joining the WRAD movement and how they’ll get involved. We’ve also secured significant sponsorship from industry supporters, but of course we need more to ensure WRAD’s sustainability!

Moving Forward

The next steps will include building the WRAD website, social media channels and providing resources and inspiration for others to get involved. We’re planning events and promotion of WRAD at major radiotherapy conferences. We ask all readers to please sign up to this important initiative via the link or QR code in this article to receive updates. We hope you and your teams will get involved to make the first (and subsequent) WRADs an overwhelming success. Please talk about WRAD, share with your colleagues and think about what you/your group will do to mark the launch of WRAD on the week starting September 7^th.

We believe that WRAD’s global reach and inclusive approach position it as a unifying movement to champion the lifesaving and life-improving potential of radiotherapy.

Please join us!  Together, let’s raise One Voice for Radiotherapy.

Acknowledgement

The WRAD Committee:
Sandra Turner - Co-Chair, Radiation Oncologist, Australia
Katie Wakeham - Co-chair, Clinical Oncologist, UK
Darien Laird - Executive Director Global Coalition for Radiotherapy, Switzerland
Lucinda Morris - Radiation Oncologist, Australia
Michelle Leech - Radiation Therapist, Ireland
Sarah Quinlan - Charity Director Radiotherapy UK, UK

Contact
Email: contact@worldradiotherapy.org
Website: www.worldradiotherapy.org 
Social Media: X | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook

World Radiotherapy
Awareness Day Website

University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust is comprised of a cluster of hospitals in central London, providing acute general and specialist services for patients of all ages. With the neighbouring Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for Children NHS Foundation Trust, which provides only highly specialist paediatric care, UCLH forms the PTC for cancer in children and young people across much of London and the adjacent counties to the East and North. While the age cut off varies to some extent between different specialties, for the most part GOSH focuses on those aged 12 years and under, while UCLH works with teenagers from 13 years, young adults, and older patients. Radiotherapy for all ages, however, is delivered only at UCLH, although clinical oncology staff work across both sites for multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and outpatient clinics.

In addition to providing radiotherapy for patients whose oncological treatment started at GOSH or UCLH, all patients from the PTC in Southampton and Oxford are treated here, as paediatric radiotherapy is not available locally. The patients aged under 16 currently treated at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey will from next year, 2026, also be treated at UCLH, as the paediatric oncology service there is relocating to the Evelina Hospital in Central London.

Since 2021, UCLH has been one of the two UK proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) centres, the other is in Manchester. UCLH therefore treats patients requiring PBT from the whole of southern England and South Wales. In addition, we provide a four nations service for paediatric brachytherapy and molecular radiotherapy. Some international patients are also treated. This large and extended referral base makes UCLH by far the biggest radiotherapy service for children and young people in the UK.

This practice requires a large, dedicated paediatric multiprofessional team. We have five consultant clinical oncologists who each have pretty much an exclusive paediatric practice. We are supported by a number of junior doctors, paediatric radiotherapy play specialists, an exceptional anaesthetic team, radiotherapy physics clinical scientists and dosimetrists, therapeutic radiographers, and paediatric oncology doctors and nurses. In addition, we could not care adequately for this patient cohort without a broad range of allied health professionals including dieticians, speech and language specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a psychology team.

As so many patients travel from far away, we have a range of accommodation options for families, and we spend much time attending remote MDT meetings, and liaising with colleagues in other PTC to ensure optimal care for our patients.

As radiotherapy is about a balance between achieving effective cancer treatment while minimising the adverse consequences, we have an interest in late effects management, and recording of outcomes.

Staff members in different professional groups are involved in a broad range of national and international research, clinical trial, and radiotherapy quality assurance groups, including EpSSG; SIOPEN; Euro Ewings consortium; SIOPE brain tumour group; SIOPE Radiation Oncology Working Group; PROS and QUARTET. Wherever possible, patients are offered entry into appropriate clinical trials, with the aim of strengthening the evidence base for the future.

We are fortunate to have all radiotherapeutic modalities available, up-to-date equipment, and excellent colleagues who are each focused on delivering the best treatment for every patient. We try to be a beacon of good practice, and improve care in the wider world through our educational activities.

Further reading

Tom Boterberg T, Dieckmann K, and Gaze M, editors. Radiotherapy and the Cancers of Children, Teenagers and Young Adults. Oxford University Press, 2021. ISBN: 9780198793076.

Boterberg T, Dunlea C, Harrabi S, Janssens G, Laprie A, Whitfield G, Gaze M; SIOP-Europe Radiation Oncology Working Group. Contemporary paediatric radiation oncology. Arch Dis Child. 2023 Apr 19;108(5):332-337. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-323059.

Gaze MN, Smeulders N, Ackwerh R, Allen C, Bal N, Boutros M, Cho A, Eminowicz G, Gill E, Fittall MW, Humphries PD, Lim P, Mushtaq I, Nguyen T, Peet C, Pendse D, Polhill S, Rees H, Sands G, Shankar A, Slater O, Sullivan T, Hoskin PJ. A National Referral Service for Paediatric Brachytherapy: An Evolving Practice and Outcomes Over 13 Years. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2023 Apr;35(4):237-244. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.12.008. Epub 2022 Dec 31.

Colori A, Ackwerh R, Chang YC, Cody K, Dunlea C, Gains JE, Gaunt T, Gillies CMS, Hardy C, Lalli N, Lim PS, Soto C, Gaze MN. Paediatric radiotherapy in the United Kingdom: an evolving subspecialty and a paradigm for integrated teamworking in oncology. Br J Radiol. 2024 Jan 23;97(1153):21-30. doi: 10.1093/bjr/tqad028.

Publication Title: Twenty Years of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society

Abstract: "In 2005, the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS), a multi-professional association to promote radiotherapy for children and young people, was created. Its mission has been to educate those involved in this field, and to improve the standards of radiation oncology care for children, adolescents, and young adults across the globe, not least in less privileged settings where the majority of the world's children, and most with cancer, live. Through regular congresses, and joint meetings with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), PROS has facilitated a focus on this treatment modality, and advocated on behalf of those who might benefit from it."

Full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pbc.31764 

The Latin American Society of Pediatric Oncology (SLAOP) and the Colombian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ACHOP) are organising a congress in Cali, Colombia from June 11 to 14, 2025.

Read More  

After a detailed selection process and reviewing three excellent proposals, Cancun was chosen as the ideal destination for this important event. This vibrant city offers a perfect backdrop for fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advancing paediatric radiation oncology.

Mark your calendars for June 3-6, 2026, and stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for an unforgettable congress.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Cancun in 2026!

We are delighted to share the PROS 2023 pre-congress education day program. Hosted by the University of Ottawa and held on October 10, the program features the management of paediatric tumours in base of skull location. 

Join us for this unique opportunity to learn from renowned experts, listen to case examples and network with colleagues!

See the program here

REGISTER HERE 

The SIOP-PROS Ottawa preliminary program is now available

The preliminary program is available on the PROS website : Discover it now

Please note that this document is provisional and subject to change. The program page is frequently updated with the latest version of the document.

Registration for the SIOP - PROS 2023 Congress
 is officially open!

Register now and take advantage of the early registration savings, available until July 18, 2023.

There are only five days left to submit your abstract to SIOP 2023 and to share your topic proposal for SIOP 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Deadline: March 22, 2023.

The constant development of the pediatric oncology field is crucial for the advancement of cancer treatment. Get ready for four days of cutting-edge science, engaging debates, and networking with world-renowned experts in the area!

Join us on our mission to improve the health and welfare of childhood cancer patients worldwide. 

See you in Ottawa,
https://siop-congress.org/

PROS Essen abstracts - Red journal publication

The PROS abstracts from the Essen congress have been published on the Red Journal. You can access them here: PROS Essen Abstracts on the Red Journal

In memoriam of Audrey Evans

Dr. Audrey E. Evans, Philadelphia, a professor emerita of pediatrics at Penn, the first chief of the division of oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and cofounder of the Ronald McDonald house, passed away on Sept. 29, 2022.

 In 1969 she was recruited to become CHOP’s first chief of oncology, as well as an associate professor of pediatrics at Penn. She became a renowned figure in the world of childhood cancer, developing a protocol for assessing which children with neuroblastoma need aggressive treatments and which can be aided with less invasive methods. The Evans Staging System was used for decades, and during her tenure at CHOP, the mortality rate for children with neuroblastoma dropped by 50 percent according to some accounts. She was also one of the first researchers to recognize the importance of nursing, psychology, and social work in the care of children with cancer, advocating for a “total care” approach. In 1974, she cofounded, with Philadelphia Eagles general manager Jimmy Murray, the first Ronald McDonald House. The house, which offered a home away from home for families while their children received hospital treatment, became a model for more than 375 other Ronald McDonald Houses in 45 countries. “A family with a sick child is a sick family”, she was known to say. Among many accolades, she received the William Osler Patient Oriented Research Award from Penn in 1997. She retired from her leadership positions at Penn in 1989 but continued to work on neuroblastoma in the lab for another decade, retiring from teaching in 2001 and from CHOP in 2009. In her retirement, she helped found the St. James School in Philadelphia in 2011. A biopic about her life, Audrey’s Children, recently began filming.
 
From The Pennsylvania Gazette, The Alumni Magazine of the University of Pennsylvania, March/April 2023

Registration for the SIOP - PROS 2023 Congress is officially open! Register now and take advantage of the early registration savings, available until July 18, 2023.

There are only two weeks left to submit your abstract to SIOP 2023 and to share your topic proposal for SIOP 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Deadline: March 22, 2023.

The constant development of the paediatric oncology field is crucial for the advancement of cancer treatment. Get ready for four days of cutting-edge science, engaging debates, and networking with world-renowned experts in the area!

Join us on our mission to improve the health and welfare of childhood cancer patients worldwide.

See you in Ottawa!

https://siop-congress.org/

 The SIOP-PROS Ottawa preliminary program is now available! 

Please note that this document is under adjustments and can still be corrected by the SIOP-PROS scientific committee.

Click here to download the PDF version of the preliminary program

PROS EC Elections results

• Treasurer – to succeed Geert Janssens
• Allied HP – to succeed Susan Awrey
• LMIC – to succeed Jeanette Parkes
• Educational Chair – to succeed Mark Gaze

• Anne Laprie as Treasurer
• Ingrid Fagerstrom Kristensen as Allied HP
• Pauline Njoki Njiraini as LMIC representative
• Yasmin Lassen as Educational Chair

Essen 2022 
PROS Congress
 

The latest PROS congress, that took place from June 9^th to June 11^th in Essen (Germany), attracted 135 experts, mainly radiation oncologists, from around 30 countries who treat children with cancer from all over the world.

Most participants came from Europe, followed by North and South America, as well as Africa and Asia.

Among them were 62 PROS members, who benefitted from the rich exchange of knowledge, data, research and education. Feedback from the conference were very positive and confirmed that this edition was a success.

We hope the same for the Sydney Congress 2024  !

 

Barcelona SIOP 2022

The 54^th annual SIOP Congress took place from September 28 to October 1, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

After two years of Covid-19, it was the first onsite congress, with a virtual access to some of the sessions. This 2022 edition was a big success, with a rich program, covering diverse topics and expertise. 

PROS had dedicated sessions during the Educational day, as well as Free paper sessions during the congress. All sessions benefited from a good attendance from participants.

ASTRO-PROS 2022 joint meeting 

The ASTRO meeting took place on October, 22 to 26 2022, in San Antonio, Texas.

This congress was also a great success, broadling focused on the topic “ AI & EI: caring for the patient in a wireless world”.

PROS participated in of this congress with a joint session on “Lessons Learned form Treating Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The PROS President, Natia Esiashvili, and Daniel Indelicato, the PROS Educational representative for North America, participated to this session.

Both had  received enthusiastic feedback on this session from the audience, and the ASTRO committee. New PROS topics will be included in the ASTRO 2023 program.

More information on the ASTRO Congress

It is my pleasure to reach out to you to share exciting updates on PROS activities.

After having two virtual congresses jointly with SIOP, we succeeded in having our first in-person PROS congress since the beginning of the pandemic in Essen, Germany, from June 23-26, 2022. First, I would like to thank an executive committee, our local organizers, and an entire membership for making this congress possible despite many ongoing uncertainties and adversities. We had 135 members from 123 countries attend the congress. We put forth a robust educational and social program without exceeding our budget. The success of this congress was evident by the highly engaged audience, erudite presentations, and positive feedback received from attendees during the congress and the post-congress survey.

Essen PROS 2022 Participants 

Moreover, the atmosphere in Essen was genuinely joyful. On behalf of PROS, I would like to express our immense gratitude to our local organizer Dr. Beate Timmermann and her team for their hard work and hospitality. They provided an excellent meeting venue and invited noteworthy local speakers and dignitaries like the Mayor of Essen and Rector of the University of Essen. The social programs were superb, creating an unforgettable experience by sharing great food, local music, and each other's company. 

In addition to our usual themes, which included a contouring workshop, presentations on scientific abstracts, clinically relevant topics, technological advancements, and challenges in LMIC, we first heard a very emotional and uplifting talk from a parent representative. As in previous congresses, we provided support allowing LMIC colleagues to attend and present their important work. I want to take this opportunity and thank our LMIC officer, Dr. Jeannette Parkes, for securing sponsorship from the Global Access to Cancer Care Foundation.

Many of you have learned about PROS' ongoing activities and collaborations during the general assembly in Essen. Please join me in my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Gaze, who we nominated as PROS' next President-elect. He received unanimous support from the general assembly.

We have announced several positions opening for elections to serve on the PROS Executive Committee. If interested, please submit your letter of intent/ personal statement and CV. The PROS EC will review these qualifications to endorse your candidacy for the vote, which will be held electronically in late October 2022. 

Members who could not attend PROS Congress will be able to view some presentations, our general assembly point slides, and pictures on the PROS website. PROS oral abstracts will also be published in an upcoming IJROBP issue.

I hope many of you will attend SIOP Congress in Barcelona from September 28-October 1, 2022. PROS has arranged an exciting joint program with SIOP, including PROS' full-day education program on September 28th. In addition, Dr. Jeannette Parkes will deliver the traditional Dr. D'Angio Keynote symposium on Global Pediatric Radiotherapy this year.

I am happy to share that we are restarting our joint PROS/ASTRO sessions at ASTRO annual meetings. This year, we picked the topic “Lessons Learned from Treating Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” These clinical challenges is still affecting us in clinics and will hopefully be engaging good audience. Session is scheduled on October 25, 12:45-2 pm.

Please continue to visit the PROS website for the forum, publication updates, and announcements. Also, check the recorded interviews with luminaries in pediatric radiotherapy, including Dr. Paulino’s recent interview with Dr. Halperin.  

I will close with the exciting news that the PROS EC has selected Sydney, Australia as the host for PROS 2024 Congress. Dates will be forthcoming but we are confident this meeting will build on past success and prove to be the most robust and engaging congress yet.

Please continue to support and grow PROS' mission in setting the worldwide standard of excellence in the care of children and adolescents with cancer through your active engagement in PROS. We hope our membership grows as we build on the momentum of our Essen congress. 

Sincerely,

Natia Esiashvili, MD

The discounted registration rates for the SIOP 2022 Congress are still open. Save your spot for 4 outstanding days of state-of-the-art science, prolific debates and networking with world-renowned experts.

Take advantage of the early bird rates available until July 7, 2022.

If you also have high-quality research with recently available data, you can submit your late-breaking abstract and have the chance to present it at SIOP 2022.

The Late-Breaking Abstract Submission Deadline is August 15, 2022.

Advance your Paediatric Oncology career, connect with like-minded people and contribute to a world where no child should die of cancer!

See you there!

https://siop-congress.org/

Dear Colleagues, 

We are heartbroken by the violence and devastation caused by war in Ukraine. The international Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) is joining the world community in condemning the killing of civilians, including children.  We are hearing the devastating stories from our colleagues that children with cancer from all over Ukraine are hiding in basements, hospitals and medical convoys are bombed, hospital are running out of critical supplies, medical staff is working tirelessly in  life-threatening conditions, and as a result, children and adolescent with cancer are not receiving life-saving treatments, including radiotherapy. 

Several radiotherapy centers in Europe and elsewhere have been asked to  help and some have already accepted children for radiation treatments. We anticipate that there will be additional need for medical assistance in coming days and months, both within Ukraine and in places where refugees find shelter.   

PROS is working with the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), International Society of Pediatric Surgical Oncology (IPSO), Childhood Cancer International (CCI), St. Jude Global and other stakeholders to find the ways we can coordinate our assistance to children from Ukraine.  

To every colleague and friend who has devoted their career to the welfare of children, PROS encourages you to address this humanitarian crisis by volunteering your time to provide concrete support for children from Ukraine. In your professional capacity, this may involve advocating for radiotherapy access or drawing attention to the double tragedy that is childhood cancer amidst war. For those who are directly impacted, please let us know about your needs so we can engage partner organizations and stakeholders. PROS has worldwide contacts who share similar values. We may be able to assist your young patients, who confront enduring hardship from this senseless war. We attribute cancer in children to cruel fate. We attribute war on children to cruel men.

Please find also here after SIOP Statement on Ukraine: link. 

Thank you, 

Natia Esiashvili 

President of PROS

On behalf of the PROS Executive Committee  

ISPNO is by far the largest international scientific meeting of multidisciplinary professionals in research, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with tumors of the Central Nervous System. Since its first edition in 1986, ISPNO has enjoyed consistent growth as a bi-annual meeting.  ISPNO 2022 will be the first ISPNO Meeting to be held in Germany.

More information here. 

Download the flyer here.

The ambition of ESTRO to further reinforce radiation oncology as a core partner in multidisciplinary cancer care, and to guarantee accessible and high-value radiation therapy for all cancer patients who need it, is expressed in the society’s vision statement for 2030: ‘Radiation Oncology. Optimal Health for All, Together.’. After a difficult couple of years, this is more poignant than ever as, in 2022, we expect to again be able to freely get together and connect.

The conference theme is “Learning from every patient”, from the individual to large cohorts, and will be incorporated throughout the programme. Additionally, two over-arching topics will be tackled in the six programme tracks. These are Squamous Cell Carcinomas - what makes them special - and Time - the importance of it in radiotherapy.

For any further information, please click-here. 

Join us also on ESTRO-PROS joint session on May 9th. Consult the program here.

#ICARO-3 virtual meeting will be held from 16-19 february 2021. Participation is free and paediatric radiation oncology is one the many interesting topics discussed during this conference.
 
More information on https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/register-for-virtual-radiotherapy-conference.
 
Important links :
Program
Registration
Online  Registration for Observers
LinkedIn page
Facebook page
 

Last month I had the honor of accepting the appointment to PROS President during our joint SIOP/PROS virtual congress. I am thrilled and most honored to lead a society I feel the most passionately dedicated to.

PROS is thriving as an active and engaged organization, poised to help further our mission to set a world-wide standard of excellence with respect to radiation oncology aspects of the care of children and adolescents with cancer. Just to highlight some of our achievements, we have seen a substantial increase in PROS membership over the course of 15 years, with more colleagues joining us from low- and middle-income countries ; we have engaged more colleagues from the LMIC, more medical physicists and allied health professionals, as well as more young colleagues and trainees. The PROS collaborations with SIOP, COG, ESTRO, ASTRO, IAEA and WHO have grown stronger over the past years. We held very memorable congresses, where we shared exciting scientific ideas and education, and enjoyed networking and making long-lasting friendships.

I am grateful for the support and guidance of past President Dr. Karen Marcus, who helped to advance the PROS mission during her tenure. I would like to thank our outgoing executive committee members Dr. Rolf Kortmann and Dr. Karen Dieckmann for their great service to PROS and wish them well on their next endeavors.

We welcome newly elected EC members Dr. Indelicato (Education /America), Dr. Gaze (education /Europe), Dr. Timmermann (membership), and Mr. Beldjoudi (allied Professionals), and I am very excited to be working with them.

We will continue the PROS mission and hope to grow and extend our reach to all colleagues throughout the world.  This year, we will focus on:

1. Continuing preparation for our next PROS congress in Essen Germany;

2. Continuing engagement with WHO, IAEA and SIOP and St. Jude Global to increase our activities in WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer Projects;

3. Focusing on advocacy for our profession and for the role of radiotherapy in curative and palliative treatments of childhood cancer;

4. Increasing educational content on our website;

5. Increasing communications through PROS forum;

And Finally, 6.Continuing our joint activities with SIOP, ESTRO and COG.

I welcome your feedback and engagement in these initiatives.

It is a great privilege to serve as your president and I look forward to productive and exciting years ahead.

Natia Esiashvili

PROS President

More information here.

October, 23^rd to 26^th, 2019

The PROS educational session will be on October 23^rd in the same venue.

Important Date to remember:

April 2^nd, 2019: Deadline for abstract Submission (link to submit)

July 31st, 2019: Early Registration Deadline

September 24th, 2019: Regular Registration Deadline

Registration through SIOP

Fees for PROS members

Before or on July 31st:                                        540 €

Between July 31st and September 24th:            815 €

From September 25th and onsite:                     1020 € 

In order to apply for this category, please ensure your membership is approved and fees are paid for 2018 before you start the registration process. Registration will not be confirmed otherwise.

For details (hotel booking, transport, what to see...) and register, log on to the SIOP website!

We would like to invite you to join an exciting initiative, the SIOP Global Mapping of Paediatric Oncology Services.

The main objective of this effort is to collect information via a survey on the current landscape of paediatric oncology services around the world, and the resources available in each individual country.

The survey includes questions regarding your practice and environment and should take less than 10 minutes of your time.

This information can help SIOP, National groups and individuals in each country. By collecting this information, we will be able to describe accurately the disparity of resources available to treat children with cancer and use this data to advocate for more resources at different levels. By having regular updates, we will be able to measure the impact of our collective efforts to improve access to optimal care for children and their families. This global mapping also offers other opportunities, such as the possibility to develop collaborations between institutions or networks, to initiate twinning initiatives between centres, and to share protocols.

Our aim is to start with data collection limited to the African continent. Once this part of the project is completed, we will present the results to the SIOP community to see whether to extend this project to other continents.

We hope you will help us with this initiative. This project has the potential to benefit everyone, especially the children for whom we care.

See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information about the global mapping program.

Please do not hesitate to email SIOP, should you have any questions.

For the latest news on the survey please visit this page:

https://siop-online.org/globalmapping/

Many thanks,

• Eric Bouffet, President of SIOP (International Paediatric Oncology Society)
• Scott Howard, Secretary General of SIOP
• Alan Davidson, Co-chair SIOP PODC (Paediatric Oncology in Developing Countries)
• Neil Ranasinghe, Co-chair SIOP PODC Education and Training Working Group
• Jennifer Geel, Co-chair SIOP PODC Education and Training Working Group
• Susanne Wollaert, Executive Director at SIOP
• Julia Challinor, SIOP Advocacy Officer
• Lorna Renner, SIOP Continental President for Africa
• Laila Hessissen, SIOP Continental President Elect for Africa

On Friday 14 Sept, 2018 we lost a mentor, teacher, colleague and friend, Dr Giulio D’Angio - the Father of Paediatric Radiation Oncology. Our society was his dream. We and all of our patients are beneficieries of his pioneering work.

Dr Christian Carrie and Dr Joel Goldwein shared their touching personal tribute.

Dr Joel Goldwein

I worked very closely with Dr. D'Angio for over a decade while I was at Penn/CHOP.  Soon after I finished my residency in Radiation Oncology there, I was his "second" running the pediatric radiation oncology practice and then eventually took it over from him though we still worked closely together.  I can't imagine bigger shoes to fill.   He touched so many live both directly via what he did for his patients, but also indirectly via the many hundreds of his students whom he taught the craft and art of pediatric radiation oncology.   In addition, through countless clinical trials and studies, he very positively impacted the outcome of many pediatric cancers.  Ones that come to mind most are Wilms Tumor (a pediatric kidney tumor), and Medulloblastoma (a pediatric brain tumor), but there are others such as some of the pediatric leukemias where great progress was made by virtue of his influence.   I even once heard that he was among the initial designers of what today we consider a modern clinical trial, though that one needs to be fact checked.

In terms of his personality, Dan had the combination of smarts, warmth, sincerity and caring that made it hard to argue against any idea he had (plus, he was always correct).  He was so thoughtful to all of his patients, students, interns, residents and fellows, that many would come from very far away just to spend a week following Dan around.  I recall visitors from the mid-East, Europe, Asia and of course across North America - all professionals in training or beyond who wanted to learn from the gentle giant.  Many careers (medical and otherwise), my own included, are credits to Dan and his influence.

I still have a letter from him that I will cherish forever with a personal note and a picture of a patient from Italy that we took care of together probably in the late 90's when she was an infant.  She is carrying her own child in the photo - a testament to his and our success..  Dan must have received hundreds of these over the years.   Wow!

I really can't say enough about Dan.  They don't make them like him any more and as I said in my comment, he will be sorely missed.

Dr Christian CARRIE

HE WAS THE GREATEST

Some years ago in Philadelphia, thanks to Joel Goldwein, was the first meeting entirely dedicated to pediatric oncology.

I was a young fellow and I was hesitating between medical pediatric oncology and radiation therapy. My head of department, Maud Brunat Mentigny, co-founder with Odile Schweiguth and Audrey Evans of SIOP, sent me to this meeting. I was fortunate enough to meet there THE Professor D’Angio.

When you are a young student meeting the Professor D’Angio was like seeing God: you have read his articles and attended his conferences but he did not seem like a real human being. In fact Dan was, as he was always, so kind and convincing that 24 hours later I decided to become a pediatric radiation oncologist.

Throughout the course of my career I was in touch with him to discuss difficult cases, philosophical problems regarding conservative treatment, including mutilating surgical procedure versus a conservative radiotherapeutic approach whilst keeping in mind the potential side effects. He recognized the importance of late effects and their impact on the future of pediatric oncology. At that time radiation therapy was seen as unacceptable for children: the source of terrible sequelae and a therapy which would no longer be used with the improvements from chemotherapy.

The evidence that radiation therapy cannot be excluded from all childhood cancer treatment, the dramatic improvement of the techniques, knowledge of risk factors, and the capacity now to spare more normal tissue, helped to change the use of radiotherapy in the eyes of pediatric oncologists.

I remember a long discussion with Dan when a radiation oncologist demonstrated the importance of the quality of radiotherapy treatment for Medulloblastoma. Dan was enthusiastic about the results and encouraged me to pursue this area.

Some years later, in 2004, we decided to create the PROS (Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society). The first meeting was in Lyon in 2004 under the name of the international congress pediatric radiation oncology (ICPRO) and the first PROS meeting followed in 2006 in Barcelona. Obviously I think it was one of the best days for Dan: the birth of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society was a dream for him and I am proud to have been one of the founding members together with Carolyn Freeman, Rolf Kortmann, Karen Marcus, Patrick Thomas, Shiao Woo, Anita Mahajan and Edward Halperin, and the first president of PROS.

For all of us it is an deep loss and Dan will be always with us and the children. Wherever you are Dan I know you see us and are proud of what is now the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society due to you.

Thanks Dan!

The «ESTRO meets Asia» conference has the objective to bring radiation oncology collaboration between Europe and Asia to a new level - regarding science, education, technology and professional development, targeting all professionals working in the discipline (clinicians, medical physicists, RTTs and radiobiologists).

The interactive conference format is designed to enable participants share experiences on practices/operations from both regions and discuss how to facilitate collaboration. The conference will be a platform where participants will learn from each other by embracing the diversity of clinical practices and exploring the development of common solutions to optimise radiotherapy treatment and care for all patients.

More information on https://www.estro.org/congresses-meetings/items/estro-meets-asia-2018

Consult the programme

The Congress will cover many aspects of Clinical Oncolgy and Cancer Research.

More information on http://isobm-conference.org/ 

The Hospital de Amor held the first edition of its "International Congress of Pediatric Radiotherapy". The event, hosted by IRCAD Latin America on April 28 and supported by the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) - the largest organization in the world in this area - was marked by the presence of big names in the national scene and internationally, such as: President of PROS and medical radio-oncologist at Dana Farber Institute and Harvard University (Boston - USA), Dr. Karen Marcus; the Secretary General of PROS and also a medical radio-oncologist at Emory University (Atlanta, USA), Dr. Natia Esiashvili; and the radio-oncologist at the University of Florida (Jacksonville - USA) and specialist in lymphomas, Dr. Bradford Hoppe. "The congress was a great milestone for pediatric radio-oncology in Brazil, being the largest event in the area already held in the country. We believe that this event was an opportunity to strengthen the ties of Brazilian radio-oncologists with PROS, because the people who gain from this exchange of information and learning is the population", commented the medical coordinator of the radiotherapy department of Hospital de Amor and one of the organizers of the event, Dr. Daniel Grossi Marconi. In addition to international participation, professionals from important Brazilian pediatric cancer hospitals were also present, among them: the GRAAC Hospital, the Boldrini Children's Center (Campinas – São Paulo), the “Liga Cearense de Combate ao Câncer”, the University of São Paulo - USP, the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital, the Sirio Libanês Hospital, the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), among others. Representatives of the Brazilian Society of Radiotherapy also attended the event and discussed ways to improve pediatric radio-oncology in its various aspects: from the training of residents to acting in clinical practice. Besides the important professional interaction, the event was also a pioneer in the country in the use of a specific international software for technical training in radio-oncology, the so-called EduCase. "This software is used in the major radio-oncology events in the world and allows an active interaction between the participants and also a technical evaluation done by experts from different areas," added Marconi.

The ambition of ESTRO to further reinforce radiation oncology as a core partner in multidisciplinary cancer care, and to guarantee accessible and high-value radiation therapy for all cancer patients who need it, is expressed in the society’s vision statement for 2030: ‘Radiation Oncology. Optimal Health for All, Together.’. After a difficult couple of years, this is more poignant than ever as, in 2022, we expect to again be able to freely get together and connect.

The conference theme is “Learning from every patient”, from the individual to large cohorts, and will be incorporated throughout the programme. Additionally, two over-arching topics will be tackled in the six programme tracks. These are Squamous Cell Carcinomas - what makes them special - and Time - the importance of it in radiotherapy.

For any further information, please click-here. 

Join us also on ESTRO-PROS joint session on May 9th. Consult the program here.

More information on http://intpros.org/congress/next-pros-congress/

The theme of this meeting is Teamwork: The Key to Clinical Excellence in Paediatric Neuro-Oncology.

More information on http://btw.brainchild.org.za/. You could also find this link on PROS website.

Registration is opened at http://btw.brainchild.org.za/registration/.

More info here

We will use the Cure4Kids platform for conducting monthly web meetings for the following purpose :  1. network with colleagues from LMIC; 2. facilitate collaborations and twinning; 3. plan projects; 4. create guidelines for radiotherapy treatment for children in a setting of low- and middle-income countries.

Name of the person coordinating the meetings (create the event, send the invitation, adding members, moderating the meetings, etc.): Natia Esiashvili (nesiash@emory.edu); Jeannette Parkes (jeannette.parkes@uct.ac.za).

Who is eligible: 1. pediatric radiation oncologist, physicist, allied health professionals practicing in LMIC. 2. pediatric radiation oncologist, physicist, allied health professionals practicing from HIC interested in LMIC activities.

Process: 1. register at www.Cure4Kids website (free); 2. email Drs. Esiashvili and Parkes your request to join; 3. Will received the meeting invitation; 4. join the meeting by logging into Cure4Kids and  selecting "meetings" tab; 5. Check updates on ongoing activities, review documents, etc. through the link "groups/SIOP - PODC Pediatric Radiation Oncology in Low- and Middle-Income Countries" 

Schedule: first Thursday of every month at 8 am US EST.

Be a part of SIOP 2017 by adding your research to the scientific program.

Submit your abstract here!

Submission deadline: March 28, 2017

The next congress of PROS Association will be held in New-York from 24-24 June 2017. The meeting will be hosted by Drs Suzanne Wolden and  Edward  Halperin.

 New York, the largest city in the U.S., is an architectural marvel with plenty of historic  monuments, magnificent buildings and countless dazzling skyscrapers. Besides the  architectural  delights, New York is an urban jungle that has everything to offer to visitors.  The city is home to  numerous museums, parks, trendy neighborhoods and shopping streets.  June is a wonderful  time  to visit New York City -- the weather is warm, but not usually very  hot.

 The meeting will be held at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center which is located at the heart of the city.

We are confident that it will be a great meeting and hope to see you there.

 See more.

Rolf-Dieter Kortmann

R.-D. Kortmann, C. Freeman, K. Marcus, L. Claude, K. Dieckmann, E. Halperin, N. Esiashvili, A. Paulino, A. Mahajan, K. Seiersen, V. Ahern, U. Ricardi, C. Carrie: "Paediatric radiation oncology in the care of childhood cancer: A position paper by the International Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS)", Radiotherapy and Oncology (2016)

Please note that access to the full text of this article will depend on your personal or institutional entitlements. We hope to be able to give full open access in the near future.

Submit your abstract here!

Submission deadline: April 5, 2016

More info here

The newsletter can be found here.

The Annual General Meeting (General Assembly) of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) will be held in June at our congress in Ljubljana at the Grand Hotel Union.

The date, time and location are as follows:
> Thursday, June 26 2015
> 5.30pm-6.30pm
> White Hall

Grand Hotel Union****

Miklošiceva cesta 1,

1000 Ljubljana

Slovenia

Looking forward to seeing you in Ljubljana!

The PROS secretariat

Several years of preparation and many months of implementation has been completed, and the new PROS website is now online. We hope you enjoy it.

We are still testing some features, so we do apologize if you encounter any problems. Please report any errors to the webmaster.

- President: Rolf-Dieter Kortmann 
- Immediate Past President: Carolyn Freeman 
- General Secretary: Karen Marcus
- Treasurer: Line Claude 
- SIOP Liaison (ex officio): Christian Carrie 
- Newsletter  (ex officio): Edward Halperin 
- Emerging Nations: Natia Esiashvili 
- Education (North America): Arnold Paulino 
- Education (Europe): Karin Dieckmann 
- Membership: Anita Mahajan 
- Allied Professionals: Klaus Seiersen 
- Local organizer for 2015: Lorna Zadravec-Zaletel

Congratulations to all!