Zoom Webinar
Extranodal extension (ENE) is widely recognized as one of the most relevant prognostic factors in head and neck oncology, with a direct impact on staging, treatment selection, and oncologic outcomes. In recent years, the growing role of imaging-derived extranodal extension (iENE) has progressively transformed pre-treatment evaluation, making radiological assessment a potentially decisive element in the choice between surgical and non-surgical treatment strategies.
Despite its increasing clinical importance, iENE remains characterized by substantial variability in terminology, grading systems, interpretation criteria, and multidisciplinary application. Differences in radiological interpretation and clinical integration continue to influence therapeutic decision-making across institutions and specialties. For these reasons, the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS), the Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG), the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology (ESHNR), and the Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Cervico-Cefalica – Italian Head and Neck Society (AIOCC-IHNS) have joined forces to develop this international educational initiative within the framework of the EHNS Academy.
The course has been conceived as a highly multidisciplinary educational event involving surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, and trainees, with the aim of promoting a shared international culture of iENE interpretation and clinical application. Particular attention will be dedicated to the implementation of common decision-making processes within multidisciplinary tumor boards, where iENE increasingly represents a critical determinant of treatment planning. Through lectures, case-based discussions, interactive polling sessions, and multidisciplinary debate, the course will provide participants with a practical and updated overview of current evidence, diagnostic challenges, prognostic implications, and future perspectives, including artificial intelligence, biomarker integration, possible role of IO in advanced disease treatment.
Beyond the scientific content itself, the initiative also represents a pilot model of structured international collaboration among leading scientific societies in head and neck oncology and radiology, with the ambition of reaching a broad worldwide audience and fostering multidisciplinary cultural growth across the global head and neck cancer community.
Digital Platform
The course will be delivered through a dedicated Zoom webinar platform, ensuring high-quality live streaming, interactive partici-pation, and real-time discussion.
Audienceengagement, polling, and self-assessment activities will be conducted through a dedicated electronic voting system,allowing structured interaction during case-based sessions and final evaluation.
Target Audience and CME Accreditation
The course is addressed to:
- Radiologists,
- Head & Neck Surgeons,
- Maxillo-facial Surgeons,
- Radiation Oncologists,
- Medical Oncologists,
- Pathologists
- Residents and Fellows.
The course will be CME accredited according to current Italian and European CME regulamentations.
Training objective:Technical-professional content (knowledge and skills) specific to each profession, each specialization, and each ultra-specialized activity, including rare diseases and gender-specific medicine.
Registration Fees
Single participation: €100
Multipleparticipations from the same MTB: €50 per participant
Programme
⇒ 08:30 – 08.50
Joint Institutional Welcome and Opening Remarks
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Giovanni Succo
Opening remarks from the President of the European Head and Neck Society
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Hisham Mehanna
Address from the Chair of the Head and Neck Cancer International Group
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Soraya Robinson
Address from the President of the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology
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Giuseppe Sanguineti
Institutional remarks from the resident of Italian Head and Neck Society
⇒ 08:50 – 09.00
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Eugene Yu, Davide Farina, Andrew McQueen
3 case quiz
⇒ 09:00 – 11.00
Session 1 – Foundations of ENE
Chair: René Leemans
-
Soraya Robinson
Introduction and course objectives
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Mario Fernandez Fernandez
History of ENE
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Mererid Evans
ENE in the TNM staging system - unanswered questions
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Ahmad Abou-Foul
Clinical ENE: definition and terminology
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Laura Peferoen
Pathological ENE: definition, terminology, and challenges after neo-adjuvant IO
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Q/A online chat session
⇒ 11:00 – 13.00
Session 2 – Imaging ENE: Concepts and Evidence
Chair: Andrew McQueen
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Barton F Branstetter
iENE: definition, terminology and grading
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Eugene Yu
Imaging modalities (CT, MRI, US,PET-CT)
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Barton F Branstetter
Proper imaging techniques
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Roberto Maroldi
Grade 2 iENE: selecting the appropriate imaging techniques for unequivocal assessment
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Christina Henson
Evidence from literature
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Giuseppe Sanguineti
Prognostic impact in HPV+ and HPV− disease, and future perspectives in IO era
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Q/A online chat session
⇒ 13:00 – 13.10
Case quiz statistics
⇒ 13:10 – 14.00
Lunch Break
⇒ 14:00 – 17.00
Session 3 – Case-based Discussion
Chair: Şefik Hoşal
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Eugene Yu
Negative iENE
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Barton F Branstetter
Grade 1–3 iENE
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Maartje de Win
Equivocal grade 1-3 iENE
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Alexandra Borges
Multiple patterns and pitfalls
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Roberto Maroldi
Standardization challenges
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Q/A online chat session
Session 4 – Challenging cases
Chair: Prav Praveen
-
Maartje de Win
Challenging Case 1
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Davide Farina
Challenging Case 2
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Caterina Giannitto
Challenging Case 3
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Q/A online chat session
⇒ 17:00 – 18.00
Session 5 – Future Perspectives
Chair: Wojciech Golusinski
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Christian Simon
Artificial Intelligence
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Sophie Huang
Biomarkers
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Paolo Bossi
Precision oncology integration and possible role for immunotherapy
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Q/A online chat session
⇒ 18:00 – 18.30
Session 6 – Conclusions
Chair: Andreas Dietz
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Hisham Mehanna
Hisham Mehanna
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Eugene Yu, Barton F Branstetter, Caterina Giannitto
Case quiz immediate statistics
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Giovanni Succo, Barton F Branstetter, Roberto Maroldi
Closing remarks
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Q/A online chat session