Heidelberg Ion Therapy Center: Reflections and Lessons From My ACRO HIT Experience
Faculty and Abstracts
Purpose: To disseminate the experience and knowledge I gained regarding heavy ion therapy from my experience in Heidelberg, Germany funded by the ACRO HIT (Heavy Ion Therapy) Scholarship.
Methodology: Upon receiving the ACRO HIT Scholarship, I traveled to Heidelberg, Germany in May 2023 for 4 weeks to work with and learn from the University of Heidelberg radiation oncology faculty and residents focusing on heavy ion therapy. This presentation would highlight the HIT Center’s unique workflows and clinical cases. This presentation would fulfil the ACRO Scholarship's requirement to present an account of my experience at the ACRO Annual Meeting.
Results: My experience at the HIT Center was incredibly valuable to my understanding of heavy ion therapy. This is a modality that the field of radiation oncology should recognize as an opportunity to address tumors that are otherwise deemed ‘radioresistant’ or ‘untreatable’ due to nearby OARs or other constraints. I plan to highlight several unique clinical cases that highlight how important and powerful this technology is and can be with further development.
Conclusions: I am so thankful to ACRO for the opportunity to spend a month at the HIT Center in Heidelberg. I hope this presentation educates those who want to learn more about heavy ion therapy and this wonderful opportunity sponsored by ACRO.
