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ESTRO Communication Team

Founding Vision (Late 1970s)

In the late 1970s, a group of visionary radiation oncology specialists—Klaas Breur, Jerzy Einhorn, Michael Peckham, Maurice Tubiana, and Emmanuel van der Schueren—began discussing the creation of a new multidisciplinary scientific society. Their ambition was to unite all members of the radiation oncology team—clinicians, physicists, biologists, and later radiation therapists (RTTs)—under one European umbrella. At the time, radiation oncology was not widely recognised as an independent specialty and was often marginalised within radiology, a field dominated by diagnostics.

The founders’ primary goal was to establish radiation oncology as a specialty distinct from radiology. Historically, radiologists were expected to master both diagnostic and therapeutic radiology, leaving a small minority of specialists focused solely on radiotherapy. Jean-Claude Horiot, appointed Professor of Radiation Oncology in Dijon in 1972, recalled that radiotherapy was performed predominantly by radiologists, and only a few professionals committed to full-time radiation oncology. The advent of chemotherapy further fueled the perception that radiotherapy was a declining field, and investment in radiotherapy departments decreased in some hospitals.

Despite this challenging environment, a small but determined group of specialists recognised the untapped potential of radiation oncology. Pierre Scalliet, a trainee in internal medicine and medical oncology in the early 1980s, described radiotherapy as a “dying specialty” at the time, which only later emerged as a booming and essential field in cancer treatment.

European Context and Seeds of Change

The late 1970s presented a fragmented European landscape. Jens Overgaard, a young research fellow in Aarhus, Denmark, recalled that aside from the Benelux countries and Scandinavia, cross-border communication was uncommon. The continent was divided by the Iron Curtain, limiting exchanges between Western and Eastern Europe. Yet, glimmers of a shared European consciousness were emerging: Portugal and Spain were transitioning from authoritarian regimes, and in 1979, European citizens voted for the first directly elected European Parliament.

Technological advancements also catalysed interest in radiation oncology. Linear accelerators became more efficient, computer systems enabled improved dosimetry, and the first CT scanners enhanced imaging accuracy. These innovations attracted high-caliber trainees, many of whom had strong internal medicine backgrounds, producing highly rounded specialists.

Early European Collaborations and Foundations

Although the European Association of Radiology (EAR) was founded in 1962, it primarily served radiologists and could not fully address the unique needs of radiotherapists. Radiation oncologists had begun collaborating on research through the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), but participation was limited geographically. Parallel initiatives such as the Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie (GEC) and the Groupe Européen de Radiothérapie (GER) demonstrated the potential of European cooperation, yet their informal structures and French-language focus limited wider engagement.

The founders of ESTRO were largely young, internationally trained specialists with a shared vision to integrate the disciplines of radiation oncology—clinical, physics, and biology—into a cohesive European platform. Their international experience shaped a forward-looking perspective on the specialty, and they recognised the importance of establishing a common language across disciplines to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and collaborative research.

From Idea to Reality: The Formation of ESTRO

Discussions among the founders began to crystallise at the 1978 GER meeting in Strasbourg. While there was debate about creating a broader “European Society of Oncology,” the founders concluded that focusing on radiotherapy would be more practical for the small group of specialists. Further meetings—including the GER meeting in Helsinki and the Gray Conference in Oxford (1979)—solidified the decision to establish a dedicated European Radiotherapy Society.

The founding meeting took place on 18 September 1980 at the National Cancer Institute in Milan, transforming the GER gathering into ESTRO’s birth. An initial list of 80 potential members grew to 300 by the time of the meeting. Scientific sessions covered clinical radiation oncology, biology, and physics, and reflected ESTRO’s inclusive ethos by featuring international speakers, including the U.S. radiation oncologist Berta Jereb as well as contributors from different disciplines, such as the medical oncologist Gianni Bonadonna.

At this meeting, key organisational decisions were made:

• First ESTRO Congress: London, 1982, chaired by Michael Peckham.
• First President: Klaas Breur (Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
• President-Elect: Jerzy Einhorn (Stockholm, Sweden).
• Executive Secretary: Emmanuel van der Schueren (Leuven, Belgium). The founders’ dual vision was to:

1. Establish radiation oncology as an independent specialty.
2. Promote multidisciplinary collaboration within cancer care.

ESTRO as an Independent Specialty

The separation from radiology occurred gradually. While international radiology congresses continued including therapy sessions until 1989, Europe recognised the division earlier. In 1981, EAR created an autonomous Radiotherapy Section. ESTRO 2 in 1983 was held jointly with the 5th Congress of EAR, and ESTRO members began meeting independently from 1984 onwards.

By the first London Annual Congress in 1982, ESTRO had 530 members, expanding to nearly 1,700 by 1999. Emmanuel van der Schueren played a pivotal role in growing membership across Northern, Southern, and later Eastern Europe, carefully balancing representation and fostering a pan-European community.

Building an Inclusive Scientific Platform

From the outset, ESTRO prioritised multidisciplinary integration. Associate membership was initially granted to physicists and biologists, with full membership achieved in 1982, while radiotherapists (RTTs) gained full membership in 2000. English was chosen as ESTRO’s official language to ensure inclusivity and clarity, overcoming French-centric traditions in European radiotherapy.

Administration: The administrative secretariat was formalised in 1982 in Leuven.

Meetings: ESTRO’s Annual Congress, first held in London in 1982, set a precedent for high-quality, multidisciplinary scientific meetings. Sessions encompassed clinical, biological, and physical aspects of radiation oncology, and the society emphasised a convivial, enjoyable atmosphere alongside scientific rigor. Early awards, such as the Klaas Breur Gold Medal and Claudius Regaud Award, celebrated excellence and reinforced ESTRO’s commitment to historical roots and scientific achievement.

Education: Recognising the lack of formal training, ESTRO established its Education and Training Committee in 1985. Modular, rotating teaching courses began in Leuven in 1985 and expanded across Europe, covering physics, radiobiology, and brachytherapy. This initiative formed the foundation of the ESTRO School, shaping generations of radiation oncologists and specialists.

Journal: Radiotherapy and Oncology, ESTRO’s official journal launched in 1983, provided a dedicated European platform for research and fostered a sense of community. Emmanuel van der Schueren served as its first Editor, rapidly positioning it alongside the U.S. “Red Journal” as a leading publication in the field.

Firm Foundations and Lasting Legacy

Despite initial challenges, ESTRO’s founders were committed to their vision of a pan-European, multidisciplinary, and scientifically rigorous society. By its 10th anniversary, ESTRO had firmly established radiation oncology as an independent specialty and had built a platform integrating education, research, clinical practice, and international collaboration.

The Society’s early successes laid the groundwork for its current status as one of the world’s leading oncology societies, recognised for promoting excellence in all aspects of radiation oncology while fostering inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration across Europe and beyond.

ESTRO Presidents — Institution at the time of presidency

1982–1983 — Jerzy Einhorn
Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

1983–1984 — Maurice Tubiana
Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France

1984–1986 — Michael Peckham
Institute of Cancer Research & Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom

1986–1988 — Brigit van der Werf-Messing
Department of Radiotherapy, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

1988–1990 — Dominique Chassagne
Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France

1990–1992 — Emmanuel van der Schueren
University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

1992–1993 — Jean-Claude Horiot
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Dijon, Dijon, France

1993–1995 — Horst Sack
University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany

1995–1997 — Jens Overgaard
Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

1997–1999 — Ann Barrett
Beatson Oncology Centre, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom

1999–2001 — Jean-Pierre Gérard
Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France

2001–2003 — Harry Bartelink
Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2003–2005 — Michael Brada
Institute of Cancer Research & Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, United Kingdom

2005–2007 — Michael Baumann
University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

2007–2009 — Vincent Grégoire
Institut Jules Bordet / Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

2009–2011 — Jean Bourhis
Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France

2011–2014 — Vincenzo Valentini
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy

2014–2016 — Yolande Lievens
Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

2016–2018 — Philip Poortmans
Department of Radiation Oncology, Tilburg University / Netherlands Cancer Institute, Tilburg, The Netherlands

2018–2020 — Umberto Ricardi
University of Turin / AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

2020–2022 — Ben Slotman
Amsterdam UMC (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2022–2024 — Anna Kirby
Royal Marsden Hospital & Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom

2024–2026 — Matthias Guckenberger
University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

2026–2028 — Barbara Jereczek-Fossa
European Institute of Oncology & University of Mila