The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has been chosen as the inaugural location for the mentorship and training program of the International Gynecologic Radiation Oncology Consortium.
Among the 30 institutions that submitted applications, UCI stood out as one of the four finalists selected for comprehensive interviews, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process.
The radiotherapy department at UCI handles over 2,500 cancer cases each year, predominantly focusing on cervical cancer patients.
The institute is working to advance from traditional 2D techniques to more accurate CT-guided brachytherapy, while also seeking enhancements in External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) contouring and dosimetry.
Dosimetry involves correlating the amount of radioactivity administered with the radiation dose absorbed by tumors, organs, or the entire body.
Research is a fundamental priority for UCI, and the institute is also aiming to implement electronic data collection systems.
The educational program features a blend of self-directed and guided learning, group discussions, and personalized mentoring.
Additionally, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) has generously offered complimentary registration for their 3D brachytherapy course.
The mentoring team made their first in-person visit to UCI from September 10-12, fostering connections with local faculty and collaborating to customize the program according to the center’s unique resources.
The traveling mentoring team for UCI was Dr. Alexandra Taylo IGRO Consortium Chair Clinical Oncologist Royal Marsden Hospital (UK), Dr. Anuja Jhingran Radiation Oncologist from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA), Dr. Taran Annette Paulsen Hellebust Medical Physicist Oslo University Hospital Norway and Dr. Surendra Prajapati, and Medical Physicist the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA.
The International Gynecologic Radiation Oncology Consortium was established in 2023 to enhance and formalize education and mentorship in radiotherapy for specialists providing gynecologic care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Through collaboration, these organizations utilize their extensive global networks, resources, and expertise. This partnership promotes a more effective allocation of resources, including funding, research data, and technological advancements, which is particularly beneficial in settings with limited resources.
The consortium includes several key organizations: the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS), and the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO).
Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is not an official member of the consortium, it has formed a practical partnership with the IGCS to collaborate on the IAEA’s Rays of Hope Initiative, providing support to the IAEA Anchor Centers.
The primary goal of this partnership is to integrate radiation oncology into training programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), following IAEA guidelines, and to develop educational and training resources that enhance the professional aspects of radiation oncology, imaging, and medical physics.
In addition to in-person mentorship at the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Danang Oncology Hospital in Vietnam and Black Lion Hospital in Ethiopia have been chosen to receive virtual support. Each team will engage with IGRO mentors on a quarterly basis.
