IAEA Technical Meeting in Japan Helps Strengthen Radiotherapy Expertise

To meet the projected surge in cancer cases, the global cancer workforce must expand by more than 60 percent from its 2022 levels, the IAEA-led Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics has noted. In concrete terms, this amounts to over 84?000 radiation oncologists, 47?000 medical physicists and 141?000 radiotherapy technologists by 2050 — all of whom must be well-equipped and well-trained to face this demand.  

In supporting the development of a well-trained global radiation oncology workforce, the IAEA organized a four-day technical meeting in August — supported by extrabudgetary contributions from Japan — at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), one of the 16 institutes which comprise Japan’s Anchor Centre.  

“QST’s mission is to advance quantum and radiological sciences and technologies through its strong commitment to research and development in quantum science and technology,” said Keiko Nakayama, Executive Director of QST. “We have high hopes that this technical meeting will play a vital role in the success of the IAEA Rays of Hope project, help enhance radiation therapy for patients with various types of cancer, and support the improvement of medical care in low- and middle-income countries.” 

Through hands-on sessions and lectures led by QST’s experts, radiation oncologists and medical physicists from the IAEA’s Anchor Centres in Algeria, Argentina, India, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, South Africa, Thailand and Türkiye strengthened their clinical knowledge of advanced treatment techniques. The technical meeting covered key topics including: 

• stereotactic body radiation therapy (which utilises very high doses of radiation from several beams at different angles to target well-defined, small tumours over a few treatment sessions) 
• image-guided radiation therapy (which utilises real-time imaging to accurate pinpoint the tumour’s location either before or during each treatment session) 

Participants also explored the radiobiology of light ion therapy, gaining insights into the underlying biological mechanisms of how carbon ions and protons interact with cancer cells. Dedicated sessions on the physics behind these advanced therapies similarly enabled attendees to enhance their understanding of effective beam delivery, related quality assurance processes and equipment performance audits. Special sessions on clinical applications underscored the value of these techniques by demonstrating real-world outcomes.  

Visits to QST’s various treatment rooms provided participants with a first-hand look at the clinical integration of these techniques. In learning from Japan’s experience and sharing their own practices, participants reflected on their own approaches in implementing such treatments. As a result of the technical meeting, Anchor Centres are now better equipped to support neighbouring countries, institutes and facilities in adopting, applying and advancing these cutting-edge radiotherapy techniques. 

“My stay in Chiba, Japan, for the advanced radiotherapy techniques workshop was an inspiring and enriching experience,” said Ajra ?e?erov Ermenc, a radiation oncologist from the lnstitute of Oncology Ljubljana, the Rays of Hope Anchor Centre in Slovenia. “I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from all over the world, exchange ideas, and learn from true experts in the field.”