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Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center

The Department of Radiation Oncology has partnered with Varian to develop a HyperArc^TM one-day clinical observation visit that includes observation of clinical cases and didactic sessions focused on treatment of CNS and spinal tumors. Note that this is distinct from the three-day course “Advanced Radiosurgery and SBRT with Eclipse and TrueBeam.” Topics covered include patient selection, simulation, VMAT/HyperArc treatment planning, quality assurance, small field dosimetry, frameless image guidance, and treatment delivery workflow. If you are not an Eclipse and HyperArc user, this course is likely not appropriate for you.

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Course Information

Who Should Attend

The course is ideally suited for individuals planning to deliver advanced therapies with Eclipse and HyperArc, including CNS radiosurgery and sterotactic body radiation therapy. Curriculum is suitable for radiation physicists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, and dosimetrists. If you are not an Eclipse and HyperArc user, this course is likely not appropriate for you.

Duration and Location

The conference is a one-day course hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Radiation Oncology at the Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Course Content

Course content is taught by a multidisciplinary team from UAB, including subspecialty surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists. The content is specifically focused on the treatment of CNS and spinal tumors, and there is some opportunity to have clnical exposure to other SBRT sites including lung, liver, and prostate. The course is a complete “how to” with didactic, laboratory, and clinical demonstrations for advanced therapies with TrueBeam including:

• Commissioning and QA
• Simulation with frameless systems 
• RapidArc and HyperArc Radiosurgery
• High Intensity Mode (flattening filter free @2400 MU/min)
• Clinical implementation of advanced procedures in brain and spine

The course includes laboratory experiences that mimic the clinical process, contouring, and treatment planning.

Includes: Tuition includes course material. Travel and lodging is NOT included. Participants are responsible for all travel expenses and incidentals.

Goals

To increase the clinical understanding, preparedness and uptake of SRS and SBRT on Varian’s HyperArc™ platform across the user community, by creating a taught environment where existing best practice can be shared and replicated.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Training Course, it is intended that course participants will:

• Understand the rationale, clinical advantages, and risks associated with SRS/SBRT
• Have a clear view of a typical SRS/SBRT clinical workflow, including: selection of patient, pre-planning considerations, patient immobilization, imaging and motion management, SRS/SBRT treatment planning with IMRS/VMAT, QA checks, treatment delivery and follow-up
• Know the clinical basis for using SRS/SBRT for the clinical disease sites presented by University of Alabama at Birmingham during the clinical school
• Understand the salient differences between frame-based and frameless treatments
• Understand the salient differences between conical applicator and IMRS/VMAT approaches
• Know how to evaluate SRS/SBRT treatment plans with reference to the technical and clinical guidelines used by University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Have been given opportunities to understand, with hands-on experience where feasible, the processes associated with immobilization of the patient, and localization of the tumor used at University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Have been shown all of the functionality within HyperArc™ which is of clinical relevance to SRS/SBRT treatments at University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Have hands-on experience of setting-up and delivering an SRS/SBRT test plan on the HyperArc™ platform
• Have witnessed the delivery of both SRS and SBRT plans to a patient, or in cases where this is not possible, to a phantom
• Know the relevant physics commissioning and routine QA procedures necessary to safely implement SRS/SBRT treatments
• Have had ample opportunity to ask questions of the local hosts at University of Alabama at Birmingham

NOTE: Technical product training on HyperArc™ by Varian will not be included as part of this clinical school. Medical Physicists attending this course are expected to have already received product training on HyperArc™ by attending Varian’s “HyperArc™ Administration and Physics course” in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Payment Policy

The cost for an individual to attend is $6,000. Please provide payment to us within 60 days prior to the Clinical Observation Day you are planning to attend. Receipt of payment will reserve your slot for the course.

Make checks payable to The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Send payment to:

Cancellation policy

Please provide us with a 40-day written notice should you wish to cancel. Cancellations should be in writing, via email, fax, or mail to the attention of Valeria Glenn. Upon receipt of a notice to cancel within 40 days, we will work with you to reschedule. Cancellations received less than 40 days in advance will be subject to non-refunding of tuition and non-rescheduling of the visit.

In the event UAB has to reschedule the course, we will work with you to reschedule at a later date.

Once scheduled for a course, there are no refunds of tuition.

Lodging

Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown
Telephone: 205.254.0004
Steps away from UAB. Attached to the Sky Lobby of the 4th Avenue Parking Deck and the North Pavilion.
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Marriott SpringHill Suites
Telephone: 205.322.8600
Miles from UAB: 0.4
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Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown UAB
Telephone:205.732.9595
Miles from UAB: 0.5
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Renaissance Birmingham - Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa
Telephone:205.916.7677
Miles from UAB: 10.8
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The Westin Birmingham
Telephone:205.307.3600
Miles from UAB:1.8
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