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Brothwell M, Slevin F, Pawsey A, Radhakrishna G, E Troost, Suresh P, Cooper R. Radiology Training for Clinical Oncology Trainees. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2024; 36:537-540. [PMID: 38876806 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2024.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- M Brothwell
- University College London Hospitals, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU, UK.
| | - F Slevin
- University of Leeds, UK; Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - A Pawsey
- University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | | | - E Troost
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany; Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - P Suresh
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
| | - R Cooper
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
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2
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Clough A, Chuter R, Hales RB, Parker J, McMahon J, Whiteside L, McHugh L, Davies L, Sanders J, Benson R, Nelder C, McDaid L, Choudhury A, Eccles CL. Impact of a contouring atlas on radiographer inter-observer variation in male pelvis radiotherapy. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2024; 55:281-288. [PMID: 38609834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of a MR-based contouring atlas for male pelvis radiotherapy delineation on inter-observer variation to support radiographer led real-time magnetic resonance image guided adaptive radiotherapy (MRgART). MATERIAL/METHODS Eight RTTs contoured 25 MR images in the Monaco treatment planning system (Monaco 5.40.01), from 5 patients. The prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder, and rectum were delineated before and after the introduction of an atlas developed through multi-disciplinary consensus. Inter-observer contour variations (volume), time to contour and observer contouring confidence were determined at both time-points using a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse both continuous and categorical variables. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Dice-Jaccard coefficient (DJC) and Hausdorff distance were used to calculate similarity between observers. RESULTS Although variation in volume definition decreased for all structures among all observers post intervention, the change was not statistically significant. DSC and DJC measurements remained consistent following the introduction of the atlas for all observers. The highest similarity was found in the bladder and prostate whilst the lowest was the seminal vesicles. The mean contouring time for all observers was reduced by 50% following the introduction of the atlas (53 to 27 minutes, p=0.01). For all structures across all observers, the mean contouring confidence increased significantly from 2.3 to 3.5 out of 5 (p=0.02). CONCLUSION Although no significant improvements were observed in contour variation amongst observers, the introduction of the consensus-based contouring atlas improved contouring confidence and speed; key factors for a real-time RTT-led MRgART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigael Clough
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Chuter
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie B Hales
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqui Parker
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - John McMahon
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Whiteside
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Louise McHugh
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Davies
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rebecca Benson
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Nelder
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa McDaid
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ananya Choudhury
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Cynthia L Eccles
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Le Bao V, Haworth A, Dowling J, Walker A, Arumugam S, Jameson M, Chlap P, Wiltshire K, Keats S, Cloak K, Sidhom M, Kneebone A, Holloway L. Evaluating the relationship between contouring variability and modelled treatment outcome for prostate bed radiotherapy. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:085008. [PMID: 38471173 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad3325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Objectives.Contouring similarity metrics are often used in studies of inter-observer variation and automatic segmentation but do not provide an assessment of clinical impact. This study focused on post-prostatectomy radiotherapy and aimed to (1) identify if there is a relationship between variations in commonly used contouring similarity metrics and resulting dosimetry and (2) identify the variation in clinical target volume (CTV) contouring that significantly impacts dosimetry.Approach.The study retrospectively analysed CT scans of 10 patients from the TROG 08.03 RAVES trial. The CTV, rectum, and bladder were contoured independently by three experienced observers. Using these contours reference simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE) volumes were established. Additional CTVs were generated using an atlas algorithm based on a single benchmark case with 42 manual contours. Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans were generated for the observer, atlas, and reference volumes. The dosimetry was evaluated using radiobiological metrics. Correlations between contouring similarity and dosimetry metrics were calculated using Spearman coefficient (Γ). To access impact of variations in planning target volume (PTV) margin, the STAPLE PTV was uniformly contracted and expanded, with plans created for each PTV volume. STAPLE dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were exported for plans generated based on the contracted/expanded volumes, and dose-volume metrics assessed.Mainresults. The study found no strong correlations between the considered similarity metrics and modelled outcomes. Moderate correlations (0.5 <Γ< 0.7) were observed for Dice similarity coefficient, Jaccard, and mean distance to agreement metrics and rectum toxicities. The observations of this study indicate a tendency for variations in CTV contraction/expansion below 5 mm to result in minor dosimetric impacts.Significance. Contouring similarity metrics must be used with caution when interpreting them as indicators of treatment plan variation. For post-prostatectomy VMAT patients, this work showed variations in contours with an expansion/contraction of less than 5 mm did not lead to notable dosimetric differences, this should be explored in a larger dataset to assess generalisability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viet Le Bao
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Annette Haworth
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason Dowling
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Walker
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Sankar Arumugam
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Jameson
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- GenesisCare, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip Chlap
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kirsty Wiltshire
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Keats
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kirrily Cloak
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Sidhom
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Lois Holloway
- South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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4
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Baroudi H, Brock KK, Cao W, Chen X, Chung C, Court LE, El Basha MD, Farhat M, Gay S, Gronberg MP, Gupta AC, Hernandez S, Huang K, Jaffray DA, Lim R, Marquez B, Nealon K, Netherton TJ, Nguyen CM, Reber B, Rhee DJ, Salazar RM, Shanker MD, Sjogreen C, Woodland M, Yang J, Yu C, Zhao Y. Automated Contouring and Planning in Radiation Therapy: What Is 'Clinically Acceptable'? Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13040667. [PMID: 36832155 PMCID: PMC9955359 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13040667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Developers and users of artificial-intelligence-based tools for automatic contouring and treatment planning in radiotherapy are expected to assess clinical acceptability of these tools. However, what is 'clinical acceptability'? Quantitative and qualitative approaches have been used to assess this ill-defined concept, all of which have advantages and disadvantages or limitations. The approach chosen may depend on the goal of the study as well as on available resources. In this paper, we discuss various aspects of 'clinical acceptability' and how they can move us toward a standard for defining clinical acceptability of new autocontouring and planning tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Baroudi
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kristy K. Brock
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Imaging Physics, Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wenhua Cao
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xinru Chen
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Caroline Chung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Laurence E. Court
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Mohammad D. El Basha
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maguy Farhat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Skylar Gay
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary P. Gronberg
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aashish Chandra Gupta
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Imaging Physics, Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Soleil Hernandez
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David A. Jaffray
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Imaging Physics, Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rebecca Lim
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Barbara Marquez
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kelly Nealon
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tucker J. Netherton
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Callistus M. Nguyen
- Department of Imaging Physics, Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brandon Reber
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Imaging Physics, Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dong Joo Rhee
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ramon M. Salazar
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mihir D. Shanker
- The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia 4072, Australia
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carlos Sjogreen
- Department of Physics, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA
| | - McKell Woodland
- Department of Imaging Physics, Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jinzhong Yang
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cenji Yu
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yao Zhao
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Cheon W, Jeong S, Jeong JH, Lim YK, Shin D, Lee SB, Lee DY, Lee SU, Suh YG, Moon SH, Kim TH, Kim H. Interobserver Variability Prediction of Primary Gross Tumor in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235893. [PMID: 36497374 PMCID: PMC9741368 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This research addresses the problem of interobserver variability (IOV), in which different oncologists manually delineate varying primary gross tumor volume (pGTV) contours, adding risk to targeted radiation treatments. Thus, a method of IOV reduction is urgently needed. Hypothesizing that the radiation oncologist’s IOV may shrink with the aid of IOV maps, we propose IOV prediction network (IOV-Net), a deep-learning model that uses the fuzzy membership function to produce high-quality maps based on computed tomography (CT) images. To test the prediction accuracy, a ground-truth pGTV IOV map was created using the manual contour delineations of radiation therapy structures provided by five expert oncologists. Then, we tasked IOV-Net with producing a map of its own. The mean squared error (prediction vs. ground truth) and its standard deviation were 0.0038 and 0.0005, respectively. To test the clinical feasibility of our method, CT images were divided into two groups, and oncologists from our institution created manual contours with and without IOV map guidance. The Dice similarity coefficient and Jaccard index increased by ~6 and 7%, respectively, and the Hausdorff distance decreased by 2.5 mm, indicating a statistically significant IOV reduction (p < 0.05). Hence, IOV-net and its resultant IOV maps have the potential to improve radiation therapy efficacy worldwide.
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Koo J, Caudell JJ, Latifi K, Jordan P, Shen S, Adamson PM, Moros EG, Feygelman V. Comparative evaluation of a prototype deep learning algorithm for autosegmentation of normal tissues in head and neck radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2022; 174:52-58. [PMID: 35817322 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To introduce and validate a newly developed deep-learning (DL) auto-segmentation algorithm for head and neck (HN) organs at risk (OARs) and to compare its performance with a published commercial algorithm. METHODS A total of 864 HN cancer cases were available to train and evaluate a prototype algorithm. The algorithm is based on a fully convolutional network with combined U-Net and V-net. A Dice loss plus Cross-Entropy Loss function with Adam optimizer was used in training. For 75 validation cases, OAR sets were generated with three DL-based models (A: the prototype model trained with gold data, B: a commercial software trained with the same data, and C: the same software trained with data from another institution). The auto-segmented structures were evaluated with Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance (HD), voxel-penalty metric (VPM) and DSC of area under dose-volume histograms. A subjective qualitative evaluation was performed on 20 random cases. RESULTS Overall trend was for the prototype algorithm to be the closest to the gold data by all five metrics. The average DSC/VPM/HD for algorithms A, B, and C were 0.81/84.1/1.6 mm, 0.74/62.8/3.2 mm, and 0.66/46.8/3.3 mm, respectively. 93% of model A structures were evaluated to be clinically useful. CONCLUSION The superior performance of the prototype was validated, even when trained with the same data. In addition to the challenges of perfecting the algorithms, the auto-segmentation results can differ when the same algorithm is trained at different institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Koo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Physics, University of South Florida, FL, USA.
| | - Jimmy J Caudell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Kujtim Latifi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Eduardo G Moros
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Vladimir Feygelman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
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Walls GM, Giacometti V, Apte A, Thor M, McCann C, Hanna GG, O'Connor J, Deasy JO, Hounsell AR, Butterworth KT, Cole AJ, Jain S, McGarry CK. Validation of an established deep learning auto-segmentation tool for cardiac substructures in 4D radiotherapy planning scans. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2022; 23:118-126. [PMID: 35941861 PMCID: PMC9356270 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiotoxicity is a common complication of lung cancer radiotherapy. Segmentation of cardiac substructures is time-consuming and challenging. Deep learning segmentation tools can perform this task in 3D and 4D scans. Performance is high when assessed geometrically, dosimetrically and clinically. Auto-segmentation tools may accelerate clinical workflows and enable research.
Background Emerging data suggest that dose-sparing several key cardiac regions is prognostically beneficial in lung cancer radiotherapy. The cardiac substructures are challenging to contour due to their complex geometry, poor soft tissue definition on computed tomography (CT) and cardiorespiratory motion artefact. A neural network was previously trained to generate the cardiac substructures using three-dimensional radiotherapy planning CT scans (3D-CT). In this study, the performance of that tool on the average intensity projection from four-dimensional (4D) CT scans (4D-AVE), now commonly used in lung radiotherapy, was evaluated. Materials and Methods The 4D-AVE of n=20 patients completing radiotherapy for lung cancer 2015–2020 underwent manual and automated cardiac substructure segmentation. Manual and automated substructures were compared geometrically and dosimetrically. Two senior clinicians also qualitatively assessed the auto-segmentation tool’s output. Results Geometric comparison of the automated and manual segmentations exhibited high levels of similarity across parameters, including volume difference (11.8% overall) and Dice similarity coefficient (0.85 overall), and were consistent with 3D-CT performance. Differences in mean (median 0.2 Gy, range −1.6–0.3 Gy) and maximum (median 0.4 Gy, range −2.2–0.9 Gy) doses to substructures were generally small. Nearly all structures (99.5 %) were deemed to be appropriate for clinical use without further editing. Conclusions Cardiac substructure auto-segmentation using a deep learning-based tool trained on a 3D-CT dataset was feasible on the 4D-AVE scan, meaning this tool is suitable for use on 4D-CT radiotherapy planning scans. Application of this tool would increase the practicality of routine clinical cardiac substructure delineation, and enable further cardiac radiation effects research.
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8
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Leonardi MC, Pepa M, Luraschi R, Vigorito S, Dicuonzo S, Isaksson LJ, La Porta MR, Marino L, Ippolito E, Huscher A, Argenone A, De Rose F, Cucciarelli F, De Santis MC, Rossi F, Prisco A, Guarnaccia R, de Fatis PT, Palumbo I, Colangione SP, Mormile M, Ravo V, Fozza A, Aristei C, Orecchia R, Cattani F, Jereczek-Fossa BA. The dosimetric impact of axillary nodes contouring variability in breast cancer radiotherapy: an AIRO multi-institutional study. Radiother Oncol 2022; 168:113-120. [PMID: 35033602 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM To quantify the dosimetric impact of contouring variability of axillary lymph nodes (L2, L3, L4) in breast cancer (BC) locoregional radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS 18 RT centres were asked to plan a locoregional treatment on their own planning target volume (single centre, SC-PTV) which was created by applying their institutional margins to the clinical target volume of the axillary nodes of three BC patients (P1, P2, P3) previously delineated (SC-CTV). The gold standard CTVs (GS-CTVs) of P1, P2 and P3 were developed by BC experts' consensus and validated with STAPLE algorithm. For each participating centre, the GS-PTV of each patient was created by applying the same margins as those used for the SC-CTV to SC-PTV expansion and replaced the SC-PTV in the treatment plan. Datasets were imported into MIM v6.1.7 [MIM Software Inc.], where dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were extracted and differences were analysed. RESULTS 17/18 centres used intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). The CTV to PTV margins ranged from 0 to 10 mm (median 5 mm). No correlation was observed between GS-CTV coverage by 95% isodose and GS-PTV margins width. Doses delivered to 98% (D98) and 95% (D95) of GS-CTVs were significantly lower than those delivered to the SC-CTVs. No significant difference between SC-CTV and GS-CTV was observed in maximum dose (D2), always under 110%. Mean dose ≥ 99% of the SC-CTVs and GS-CTVs was satisfied in 84% and 50%, respectively. In less than one half of plans, GS-CTV V95% was above 90%. Breaking down the GS-CTV into the three nodal levels (L2, L3 and L4), L4 had the lowest probability to be covered by the 95% isodose. CONCLUSIONS Overall, GS-CTV resulted worse coverage, especially for L4. IMRT was largely used and CTV-to-PTV margins did not compensate for contouring issues. The results highlighted the need for delineation training and standardization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Pepa
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Rosa Luraschi
- Unit of Medical Physics, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Sabrina Vigorito
- Unit of Medical Physics, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Samantha Dicuonzo
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
| | - Lars Johannes Isaksson
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Lorenza Marino
- Radiotherapy Unit, REM Radioterapia, Viagrande, (CT), Italy
| | - Edy Ippolito
- Department of Radiotherapy, Campus Bio-Medico University, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Angela Argenone
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale San Pio, Benevento, Italy
| | - Fiorenza De Rose
- Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Cucciarelli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radiotherapy Institute, Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, G.M. Lancisi, G. Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Carmen De Santis
- Radiotherapy Unit 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (INT), Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Radiotherapy Unit, Usl Toscana Centro, Ospedale Santa Maria Annunziata, Firenze, Italy
| | - Agnese Prisco
- Department of Radiotherapy, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy
| | - Roberta Guarnaccia
- Radiotherapy Unit, Ospedale Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Isabella Palumbo
- Radiation Oncology Section, University of Perugia and Perugia General Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sarah Pia Colangione
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Maria Mormile
- Unit of Medical Physics, ASL Napoli 1 Centro - Ospedale del Mare, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ravo
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fozza
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Nazionale SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Cynthia Aristei
- Radiation Oncology Section, University of Perugia and Perugia General Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Orecchia
- Scientific Direction, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Cattani
- Unit of Medical Physics, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
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- Division of Radiation Oncology, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, IRCCS, Milano, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
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9
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Charlier F, Descamps T, Lievens Y, Geets X, Remouchamps V, Lambrecht M, Moretti L. ProCaLung - Peer review in stage III, mediastinal node-positive, non-small-cell lung cancer: How to benchmark clinical practice of nodal target volume definition and delineation in Belgium ☆. Radiother Oncol 2021; 167:57-64. [PMID: 34890738 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Quality Assurance project for stage III non-small cell lung cancer radiotherapy ProCaLung performed a multicentric two-step exercise evaluating mediastinal nodal Target Volume Definition and Delineation (TVD) variability and the opportunity for standardization. The TVD variability before and after providing detailed guidelines and the value of qualitative contour reviewing before applying quantitative measures were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The case of a patient with stage III NSCLC and involved mediastinal lymph nodes was used as a basis for this study. Twenty-two radiation oncologists from nineteen centers in Belgium and Luxembourg participated in at least one of two phases of the project (before and after introduction of ProCaLung contouring guidelines). The resulting thirty-three mediastinal nodal GTV and CTV contours were then evaluated using a qualitative-before-quantitative (QBQ) approach. First, a qualitative analysis was performed, evaluating adherence to most recent guidelines. From this, a list of observed deviations was created and these were used to evaluate contour conformity. The second analysis was quantitative, using overlap and surface distance measures to compare contours within qualitative groups and between phases. A 'most robust' reference volume for these analyses was created using the STAPLE-algorithm and an averaging method. RESULTS Five GTV and seven CTV qualitative groups were identified. Second step contours were more often in higher-conformity groups (p = 0.012 for GTV and p = 0.024 for CTV). Median Residual Mean Square Distances improved from 2.34 mm to 1.36 mm for GTV (p = 0.01) and from 4.53 mm to 1.58 mm for CTV (p < 0.0001). Median Dice coefficients increased from 0.81 to 0.84 for GTV (p = 0.07) and from 0.82 to 0.89 for CTV (p ≤ 0.001). Using HC-contours only to generate references translated in more robust quantitative evaluations. CONCLUSION Variability of mediastinal nodal TVD was reduced after providing the ProCaLung consensus guidelines. A qualitative review was essential for providing meaningful quantitative measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Charlier
- Radiation Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Descamps
- Radiation Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yolande Lievens
- Radiation Oncology Department, Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Geets
- Radiation Oncology Department, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vincent Remouchamps
- Radiation Oncology Department, CHU UCL Namur - site Sainte Elisabeth, Namur, Belgium
| | - Maarten Lambrecht
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luigi Moretti
- Radiation Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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10
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Mercieca S, Belderbos JSA, van Herk M. Challenges in the target volume definition of lung cancer radiotherapy. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:1983-1998. [PMID: 34012808 PMCID: PMC8107734 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy, with or without systemic treatment has an important role in the management of lung cancer. In order to deliver the treatment accurately, the clinician must precisely outline the gross tumour volume (GTV), mostly on computed tomography (CT) images. However, due to the limited contrast between tumour and non-malignant changes in the lung tissue, it can be difficult to distinguish the tumour boundaries on CT images leading to large interobserver variation and differences in interpretation. Therefore the definition of the GTV has often been described as the weakest link in radiotherapy with its inaccuracy potentially leading to missing the tumour or unnecessarily irradiating normal tissue. In this article, we review the various techniques that can be used to reduce delineation uncertainties in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Mercieca
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,The University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - José S A Belderbos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel van Herk
- University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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11
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Patrick HM, Souhami L, Kildea J. Reduction of inter-observer contouring variability in daily clinical practice through a retrospective, evidence-based intervention. Acta Oncol 2021; 60:229-236. [PMID: 32988249 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2020.1825801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inter-observer variations (IOVs) arising during contouring can potentially impact plan quality and patient outcomes. Regular assessment of contouring IOV is not commonly performed in clinical practice due to the large time commitment required of clinicians from conventional methods. This work uses retrospective information from past treatment plans to facilitate a time-efficient, evidence-based intervention to reduce contouring IOV. METHODS The contours of 492 prostate cancer treatment plans created by four radiation oncologists were analyzed in this study. Structure volumes, lengths, and DVHs were extracted from the treatment planning system and stratified based on primary oncologist and inclusion of a pelvic lymph node (PLN) target. Inter-observer variations and their dosimetric consequences were assessed using Student's t-tests. Results of this analysis were presented at an intervention meeting, where new consensus contour definitions were agreed upon. The impact of the intervention was assessed one-year later by repeating the analysis on 152 new plans. RESULTS Significant IOV in prostate and PLN target delineation existed pre-intervention between oncologists, impacting dose to nearby OARs. IOV was also present for rectum and penile-bulb structures. Post-intervention, IOV decreased for all previously discordant structures. Dosimetric variations were also reduced. Although target contouring concordance increased significantly, some variations still persisted for PLN structures, highlighting remaining areas for improvement. CONCLUSION We detected significant contouring IOV in routine practice using easily accessible retrospective data and successfully decreased IOV in our clinic through a reflective intervention. Continued application of this approach may aid improvements in practice standardization and enhance quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. M. Patrick
- Medical Physics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - L. Souhami
- Department of Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - J. Kildea
- Medical Physics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
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12
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Thomas M, Mortensen HR, Hoffmann L, Møller DS, Troost EGC, Muijs CT, Berbee M, Bütof R, Nicholas O, Radhakrishna G, Defraene G, Nafteux P, Nordsmark M, Haustermans K. Proposal for the delineation of neoadjuvant target volumes in oesophageal cancer. Radiother Oncol 2020; 156:102-112. [PMID: 33285194 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To define instructions for delineation of target volumes in the neoadjuvant setting in oesophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Radiation oncologists of five European centres participated in the following consensus process: [1] revision of published (MEDLINE) and national/institutional delineation guidelines; [2] first delineation round of five cases (patient 1-5) according to national/institutional guidelines; [3] consensus meeting to discuss the results of step 1 and 2, followed by a target volume delineation proposal; [4] circulation of proposed instructions for target volume delineation and atlas for feedback; [5] second delineation round of five new cases (patient 6-10) to peer review and validate (two additional centres) the agreed delineation guidelines and atlas; [6] final consensus on the delineation guidelines depicted in an atlas. Target volumes of the delineation rounds were compared between centres by Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and maximum/mean undirected Hausdorff distances (Hmax/Hmean). RESULTS In the first delineation round, the consistency between centres was moderate (CTVtotal: DSC = 0.59-0.88; Hmean = 0.2-0.4 cm). Delineations in the second round were much more consistent. Lowest variability was obtained between centres participating in the consensus meeting (CTVtotal: DSC: p < 0.050 between rounds for patients 6/7/8/10; Hmean: p < 0.050 for patients 7/8/10), compared to validation centres (CTVtotal: DSC: p < 0.050 between validation and consensus meeting centres for patients 6/7/8; Hmean: p < 0.050 for patients 7/10). A proposal for delineation of target volumes and an atlas were generated. CONCLUSION We proposed instructions for target volume delineation and an atlas for the neoadjuvant radiation treatment in oesophageal cancer. These will enable a more uniform delineation of patients in clinical practice and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Thomas
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Oncology - Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Belgium; University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Radiation Oncology, Belgium.
| | - Hanna R Mortensen
- Aarhus University Hospital, Danish Center of Particle Therapy, Denmark
| | - Lone Hoffmann
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Oncology, Denmark
| | - Ditte S Møller
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Oncology, Denmark
| | - Esther G C Troost
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany; Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
| | - Christina T Muijs
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike Berbee
- Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology, the Netherlands
| | - Rebecca Bütof
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
| | - Owen Nicholas
- Swansea NHS Trust, Department of Clinical Oncology, Swansea, UK
| | - Ganesh Radhakrishna
- Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Clinical Oncology, Manchester, UK
| | - Gilles Defraene
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Oncology - Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Belgium
| | - Philippe Nafteux
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Belgium
| | | | - Karin Haustermans
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Oncology - Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Belgium; University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Radiation Oncology, Belgium
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13
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Batumalai V, Burke S, Roach D, Lim K, Dinsdale G, Jameson M, Ochoa C, Veera J, Holloway L, Vinod S. Impact of dosimetric differences between CT and MRI derived target volumes for external beam cervical cancer radiotherapy. Br J Radiol 2020; 93:20190564. [PMID: 32516544 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20190564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The use of MRI is becoming more prevalent in cervical cancer external beam radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of dosimetric differences between CT and MRI-derived target volumes for cervical cancer external beam RT. METHODS An automated planning technique for volumetric modulated arc therapy was developed. Two automated planning plans were generated for 18 cervical cancer patients where planning target volumes (PTVs) were generated based on CT or MRI data alone. Dose metrics for planning target volumes and organs at risk (OARs) were compared to analyse any differences based on imaging modality. RESULTS All treatment plans were clinically acceptable. Bladder doses (V40) were lower in MRI-based plans (p = 0.04, 53.6 ± 17.2 % vs 60.3 ± 13.1 % for MRI vs CT, respectively). The maximum dose for left iliac crest showed lower doses in CT-based plans (p = 0.02, 47.8 ± 0.7 Gy vs 47.4 ± 0.4 Gy MRI vs CT, respectively). No significant differences were seen for other OARs. CONCLUSIONS The dosimetric differences of CT- and MRI-based contouring variability for this study was small. CT remains the standard imaging modality for volume delineation for these patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE This is the first study to evaluate the dosimetric implications of imaging modality on target and OAR doses in cervical cancer external beam RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikneswary Batumalai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Siobhan Burke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dale Roach
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Lim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glen Dinsdale
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Jameson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cesar Ochoa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Lois Holloway
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shalini Vinod
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Dose planning variations related to delineation variations in MRI-guided brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Brachytherapy 2020; 19:146-153. [PMID: 32067884 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the variability in prescribed dose due to contouring variations in intracavitary image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer. To identify correlations between dosimetric outcomes and delineation uncertainty metrics. METHODS AND MATERIALS A data set from an EMBRACE sub-study on contouring uncertainties was used, consisting of magnetic resonance images of six patients with cervical cancer delineated by 10 experienced observers (target volumes and organs at risk). Two gold standard contours were generated, an expert consensus and the simultaneous truth and performance level estimation. Plans were individually optimised to all of the contour sets (12 in total). Plans were applied to the gold standard contour sets, and dose volume histogram parameters including D90, D98 and D2cm3 were determined. The variability between plans was assessed. Dose volume histogram parameters and delineation uncertainty metrics were correlated using the Spearman's non-parametric rank correlation. RESULTS There is a dosimetric variability between observers, patients and the gold standard contour used for analysis. Approximately 3 Gy D90 EQD210 variability (SD) was observed for the CTVHR and 1.2-3.6 Gy D2cm3 EQD23 for the organs at risk. The maximum geometric dimensions of the delineations are most commonly correlated with dosimetry changes. Although the correlations are similar across gold standards, the direction of these correlations differs, indicating that the dosimetric outcomes are dependent on the contour that the plan is optimised to. CONCLUSION This study highlights the dosimetric differences interobserver uncertainty in contouring can have for cervical cancer brachytherapy. The importance of carefully choosing a gold standard from which to benchmark is reiterated.
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15
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Qureshi BM, Mansha MA, Karim MU, Hafiz A, Ali N, Mirkhan B, Shaukat F, Tariq M, Abbasi AN. Impact of Peer Review in the Radiation Treatment Planning Process: Experience of a Tertiary Care University Hospital in Pakistan. J Glob Oncol 2019; 5:1-7. [PMID: 31393752 PMCID: PMC6733206 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.19.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate and report the frequency of changes in radiation therapy treatment plans after peer review in a simulation review meeting once a week. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between July 1 and August 31, 2016, the radiation plans of 116 patients were discussed in departmental simulation review meetings. All plans were finalized by the primary radiation oncologist before presenting them in the meeting. A team of radiation oncologists reviewed each plan, and their suggestions were documented as no change, major change, minor change, or missing contour. Changes were further classified as changes in clinical target volume, treatment field, or dose. All recommendations were stratified on the basis of treatment intent, site, and technique. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and are presented descriptively. RESULTS Out of 116 plans, 26 (22.4%) were recommended for changes. Minor changes were suggested in 15 treatment plans (12.9%) and a major change in 10 (8.6%), and only one plan was suggested for missing contour. The frequency of change recommendations was greater in radical radiation plans than in palliative plans (92.3% v 7.7%). The head and neck was the most common treatment site recommended for any changes (42.3%). Most of the changes were recommended in the technique planned with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (50%). Clinical target volume (73.1%) was identified as the most frequent parameter suggested for any change, followed by treatment field (19.2%) and dose (0.08%). CONCLUSION Peer review is an important tool that can be used to overcome deficiencies in radiation treatment plans, with a goal of improved and individualized patient care. Our study reports changes in up to a quarter of radiotherapy plans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Asim Hafiz
- The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nasir Ali
- The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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16
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Konert T, Vogel WV, Paez D, Polo A, Fidarova E, Carvalho H, Duarte PS, Zuliani AC, Santos AO, Altuhhova D, Karusoo L, Kapoor R, Sood A, Khader J, Al-Ibraheem A, Numair Y, Abubaker S, Soydal C, Kütük T, Le TA, Canh NX, Bieu BQ, Ha LN, Belderbos JSA, MacManus MP, Thorwarth D, Hanna GG. Introducing FDG PET/CT-guided chemoradiotherapy for stage III NSCLC in low- and middle-income countries: preliminary results from the IAEA PERTAIN trial. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:2235-2243. [PMID: 31367906 PMCID: PMC6717604 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continue to have a poor prognosis. It is known that FDG PET/CT improves staging, treatment selection and target volume delineation (TVD), and although its use has grown rapidly, it is still not widely available in LMIC. CRT is often used as sequential treatment, but is known to be more effective when given concurrently. The aim of the PERTAIN study was to assess the impact of introducing FDG PET/CT-guided concurrent CRT, supported by training and quality control (QC), on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with stage III NSCLC. Methods The study included patients with stage III NSCLC from nine medical centres in seven countries. A retrospective cohort was managed according to local practices between January 2010 and July 2014, which involved only optional diagnostic FDG PET/CT for staging (not for TVD), followed by sequential or concurrent CRT. A prospective cohort between August 2015 and October 2018 was treated according to the study protocol including FDG PET/CT in treatment position for staging and multimodal TVD followed by concurrent CRT by specialists trained in protocol-specific TVD and with TVD QC. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to assess OS and PFS in the retrospective and prospective cohorts. Results Guidelines for FDG PET/CT image acquisition and TVD were developed and published. All specialists involved in the PERTAIN study received training between June 2014 and May 2016. The PET/CT scanners used received EARL accreditation. In November 2018 a planned interim analysis was performed including 230 patients in the retrospective cohort with a median follow-up of 14 months and 128 patients in the prospective cohort, of whom 69 had a follow-up of at least 1 year. Using the Kaplan–Meier method, OS was significantly longer in the prospective cohort than in the retrospective cohort (23 vs. 14 months, p = 0.012). In addition, median PFS was significantly longer in the prospective cohort than in the retrospective cohort (17 vs. 11 months, p = 0.012). Conclusion In the PERTAIN study, the preliminary results indicate that introducing FDG PET/CT-guided concurrent CRT for patients with stage III NSCLC in LMIC resulted in a significant improvement in OS and PFS. The final study results based on complete data are expected in 2020. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00259-019-04421-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Konert
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - W V Vogel
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D Paez
- Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Polo
- Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - E Fidarova
- Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - H Carvalho
- Department of Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo - Institute of Cancer of Sao Paulo State, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P S Duarte
- Department of Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo - Institute of Cancer of Sao Paulo State, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A C Zuliani
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital das Clínicas, Campinas University, Campinas, Brazil
| | - A O Santos
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital das Clínicas, Campinas University, Campinas, Brazil
| | - D Altuhhova
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiology Department, North Estonia Medical Center, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - L Karusoo
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiology Department, North Estonia Medical Center, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - R Kapoor
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - A Sood
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - J Khader
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - A Al-Ibraheem
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Y Numair
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Abubaker
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - C Soydal
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Ankara University School of Medicine, Mamak/Ankara, Turkey
| | - T Kütük
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Ankara University School of Medicine, Mamak/Ankara, Turkey
| | - T A Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Cho Ray Hospital, University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - N X Canh
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Cho Ray Hospital, University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - B Q Bieu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiosurgery, Tran Hung Dao Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - L N Ha
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiosurgery, Tran Hung Dao Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - J S A Belderbos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M P MacManus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - D Thorwarth
- Section for Biomedical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - G G Hanna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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17
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Mercieca S, Belderbos JSA, van Baardwijk A, Delorme S, van Herk M. The impact of training and professional collaboration on the interobserver variation of lung cancer delineations: a multi-institutional study. Acta Oncol 2019; 58:200-208. [PMID: 30375905 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2018.1529422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the impact of training and interprofessional collaboration on the interobserver variation in the delineation of the lung gross tumor volume (GTVp) and lymph node (GTVln). MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight target volume delineations courses were organized between 2008 and 2013. Specialists and trainees in radiation oncology were asked to delineate the GTVp and GTVln on four representative CT images of a patient diagnosed with lung cancer individually prior each course (baseline), together as group (interprofessional collaboration) and post-training. The mean delineated volume and local standard deviation (local SD) between the contours for each course group were calculated and compared with the expert delineations. RESULTS A total 410 delineations were evaluated. The average local SD was lowest for the interprofessional collaboration (GTVp = 0.194 cm, GTVln = 0.371 cm) followed by the post-training (GTVp = 0.244 cm, GTVln = 0.607 cm) and baseline delineations (GTVp = 0.274 cm, GTVln: 0.718 cm). The mean delineated volume was smallest for the interprofessional (GTVp = 4.93 cm3, GTVln = 4.34 cm3) followed by the post-training (GTVp = 5.68 cm3, GTVln = 5.47 cm3) and baseline delineations (GTVp = 6.65 cm3, GTVln = 6.93 cm3). All delineations were larger than the expert for both GTVp and GTVln (p < .001). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that image interpretational differences can lead to large interobserver variation particularly when delineating the GTVln. Interprofessional collaboration was found to have the greatest impact on reducing interobserver variation in the delineation of the GTVln. This highlights the need to develop a clinical workflow so as to ensure that difficult cases are reviewed routinely by a second radiation oncologist or radiologist so as to minimize the risk of geographical tumor miss and unnecessary irradiation to normal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Mercieca
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Malta. Msida, Malta
- Academisch Medisch Centrum Geneeskunde Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - José S. A. Belderbos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Angela van Baardwijk
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Delorme
- German Cancer Research Center (Dkfz), Department of Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel van Herk
- Manchester Academic Health Centre, University of Manchester, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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18
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Roach D, Holloway LC, Jameson MG, Dowling JA, Kennedy A, Greer PB, Krawiec M, Rai R, Denham J, De Leon J, Lim K, Berry ME, White RT, Bydder SA, Tan HT, Croker JD, McGrath A, Matthews J, Smeenk RJ, Ebert MA. Multi-observer contouring of male pelvic anatomy: Highly variable agreement across conventional and emerging structures of interest. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2019; 63:264-271. [PMID: 30609205 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study quantified inter-observer contouring variations for multiple male pelvic structures, many of which are of emerging relevance for prostate cancer radiotherapy progression and toxicity response studies. METHODS Five prostate cancer patient datasets (CT and T2-weighted MR) were distributed to 13 observers for contouring. CT structures contoured included the clinical target volume (CTV), seminal vesicles, rectum, colon, bowel bag, bladder and peri-rectal space (PRS). MR contours included CTV, trigone, membranous urethra, penile bulb, neurovascular bundle and multiple pelvic floor muscles. Contouring variations were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and multiple additional metrics. RESULTS Clinical target volume (CT and MR), bladder, rectum and PRS contours showed excellent inter-observer agreement (median ICC = 0.97; 0.99; 1.00; 0.95; 0.90, DSC = 0.83 ± 0.05; 0.88 ± 0.05; 0.93 ± 0.03; 0.81 ± 0.07; 0.80 ± 0.06, respectively). Seminal vesicle contours were more variable (ICC = 0.75, DSC = 0.73 ± 0.14), while colon and bowel bag contoured volumes were consistent (ICC = 0.97; 0.97), but displayed poor overlap (DSC = 0.58 ± 0.22; 0.67 ± 0.21). Smaller MR structures showed significant inter-observer variations, with poor overlap for trigone, membranous urethra, penile bulb, and left and right neurovascular bundles (DSC = 0.44 ± 0.22; 0.41 ± 0.21; 0.66 ± 0.21; 0.16 ± 0.17; 0.15 ± 0.15). Pelvic floor muscles recorded moderate to strong inter-observer agreement (ICC = 0.50-0.97), although large outlier variations were observed. CONCLUSIONS Inter-observer contouring variation was significant for multiple pelvic structures contoured on MR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale Roach
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lois C Holloway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael G Jameson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason A Dowling
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angel Kennedy
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter B Greer
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michele Krawiec
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Robba Rai
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jim Denham
- School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeremiah De Leon
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Lim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Megan E Berry
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rohen T White
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sean A Bydder
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hendrick T Tan
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Alycea McGrath
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Matthews
- Radiation Oncology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Smeenk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin A Ebert
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Physics and Astrophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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19
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Interobserver variability in the delineation of the primary lung cancer and lymph nodes on different four-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions. Radiother Oncol 2018; 126:325-332. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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20
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Roach D, Jameson MG, Dowling JA, Ebert MA, Greer PB, Kennedy AM, Watt S, Holloway LC. Correlations between contouring similarity metrics and simulated treatment outcome for prostate radiotherapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 63:035001. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aaa50c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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21
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Chang ATY, Tan LT, Duke S, Ng WT. Challenges for Quality Assurance of Target Volume Delineation in Clinical Trials. Front Oncol 2017; 7:221. [PMID: 28993798 PMCID: PMC5622143 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, new radiotherapy techniques have emerged that aim to improve treatment outcome and reduce toxicity. The standard method of evaluating such techniques is to conduct large scale multicenter clinical trials, often across continents. A major challenge for such trials is quality assurance to ensure consistency of treatment across all participating centers. Analyses from previous studies have shown that poor compliance and protocol violation have a significant adverse effect on treatment outcomes. The results of the clinical trials may, therefore, be confounded by poor quality radiotherapy. Target volume delineation (TVD) is one of the most critical steps in the radiotherapy process. Many studies have shown large inter-observer variations in contouring, both within and outside of clinical trials. High precision techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiotherapy have steep dose gradients, and errors in contouring may lead to inadequate dose to the tumor and consequently, reduce the chance of cure. Similarly, variation in organ at risk delineation will make it difficult to evaluate dose response for toxicity. This article reviews the literature on TVD variability and its impact on dosimetry and clinical outcomes. The implications for quality assurance in clinical trials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tien Yee Chang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Li Tee Tan
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Duke
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Wai-Tong Ng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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22
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Niethammer M, Pohl KM, Janoos F, Wells WM. ACTIVE MEAN FIELDS FOR PROBABILISTIC IMAGE SEGMENTATION: CONNECTIONS WITH CHAN-VESE AND RUDIN-OSHER-FATEMI MODELS. SIAM JOURNAL ON IMAGING SCIENCES 2017; 10:1069-1103. [PMID: 29051796 PMCID: PMC5642306 DOI: 10.1137/16m1058601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Segmentation is a fundamental task for extracting semantically meaningful regions from an image. The goal of segmentation algorithms is to accurately assign object labels to each image location. However, image-noise, shortcomings of algorithms, and image ambiguities cause uncertainty in label assignment. Estimating the uncertainty in label assignment is important in multiple application domains, such as segmenting tumors from medical images for radiation treatment planning. One way to estimate these uncertainties is through the computation of posteriors of Bayesian models, which is computationally prohibitive for many practical applications. On the other hand, most computationally efficient methods fail to estimate label uncertainty. We therefore propose in this paper the Active Mean Fields (AMF) approach, a technique based on Bayesian modeling that uses a mean-field approximation to efficiently compute a segmentation and its corresponding uncertainty. Based on a variational formulation, the resulting convex model combines any label-likelihood measure with a prior on the length of the segmentation boundary. A specific implementation of that model is the Chan-Vese segmentation model (CV), in which the binary segmentation task is defined by a Gaussian likelihood and a prior regularizing the length of the segmentation boundary. Furthermore, the Euler-Lagrange equations derived from the AMF model are equivalent to those of the popular Rudin-Osher-Fatemi (ROF) model for image denoising. Solutions to the AMF model can thus be implemented by directly utilizing highly-efficient ROF solvers on log-likelihood ratio fields. We qualitatively assess the approach on synthetic data as well as on real natural and medical images. For a quantitative evaluation, we apply our approach to the icgbench dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Niethammer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC)
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23
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Bell LR, Pogson EM, Metcalfe PE, Holloway LC. Defining and assessing an anisotropic delineation margin for modern radiotherapy. Med Phys 2017; 43:6644. [PMID: 27908181 DOI: 10.1118/1.4967942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Uncertainty in target volume delineation for modern radiotherapy impacts dosimetry and patient outcomes. Delineation uncertainty is generally overlooked in practice as a source of error, potentially since historically, other uncertainties have been the main focus. This work defined and assessed an anisotropic delineation margin in both polar and spherical coordinate systems in order to account for the spatially varying nature of this uncertainty using a whole breast radiotherapy cohort as a proof of concept. METHODS A cohort of 21 whole breast radiotherapy patient datasets with clinical target volumes delineated by eight independent observers was utilized. Patients were divided into categories based on target volume and laterality. An anisotropic delineation margin for each category was determined by multiplying the average standard deviation in observer contours in each category by a factor of two. Standard deviation was determined in both polar and spherical coordinates at angular increments. This anisotropic approach was compared to a conventional clinical approach, where the delineation margin was applied in the cardinal directions only. The assessment of the delineation margin was undertaken by comparing the encompassment of the observer volumes by the target volume with added margin. The extra, presumed healthy tissue included in the margin and the malignant tissue missed by the margin were determined. RESULTS The proposed delineation margin is effective at accounting for inter-observer variation, producing >95% coverage of all CTVs for polar, spherical, and Cartesian margins in 82%, 79%, and 92% of cases, respectively. Additionally, <1% malignant tissue was missed for 65%, 70%, and 91% of cases and <37% healthy tissue was included in 95%, 89%, and 97% of cases. A conventional delineation margin approach is most appropriate for small and gold standard target volumes. However, for large target volumes, an anisotropic margin is necessary, producing significantly greater coverage of CTVs, including significantly less presumed healthy tissue and missing significantly less malignant tissue. CONCLUSIONS All delineation margin methods that account for target volume and laterality proved to be adequate, with appropriate encompassment of interobserver variation and minimal inclusion of extra excess healthy tissue and exclusion of possible malignant tissue. The anisotropic approach was found to be superior to a conventional approach for target volumes >1400 cm3 only with significantly greater encompassment of interobserver variation, less missed malignant tissue and less included healthy tissue. This methodology has been validated for a whole breast radiotherapy cohort as a proof of concept, however could be applied to other anatomical sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Bell
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia and Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Ingham Institute, Liverpool 2170, Australia
| | - E M Pogson
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia; Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Ingham Institute, Liverpool 2170, Australia; and Institute of Medical Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - P E Metcalfe
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia and Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Ingham Institute, Liverpool 2170, Australia
| | - L C Holloway
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia; Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Ingham Institute, Liverpool 2170, Australia; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool 2170, Australia; and Institute of Medical Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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24
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Vinod SK, Jameson MG, Min M, Holloway LC. Uncertainties in volume delineation in radiation oncology: A systematic review and recommendations for future studies. Radiother Oncol 2016; 121:169-179. [PMID: 27729166 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Volume delineation is a well-recognised potential source of error in radiotherapy. Whilst it is important to quantify the degree of interobserver variability (IOV) in volume delineation, the resulting impact on dosimetry and clinical outcomes is a more relevant endpoint. We performed a literature review of studies evaluating IOV in target volume and organ-at-risk (OAR) delineation in order to analyse these with respect to the metrics used, reporting of dosimetric consequences, and use of statistical tests. METHODS AND MATERIALS Medline and Pubmed databases were queried for relevant articles using keywords. We included studies published in English between 2000 and 2014 with more than two observers. RESULTS 119 studies were identified covering all major tumour sites. CTV (n=47) and GTV (n=38) were most commonly contoured. Median number of participants and data sets were 7 (3-50) and 9 (1-132) respectively. There was considerable heterogeneity in the use of metrics and methods of analysis. Statistical analysis of results was reported in 68% (n=81) and dosimetric consequences in 21% (n=25) of studies. CONCLUSION There is a lack of consistency in conducting and reporting analyses from IOV studies. We suggest a framework to use for future studies evaluating IOV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini K Vinod
- Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Australia; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Australia; Western Sydney University, Australia.
| | - Michael G Jameson
- Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Australia; Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Myo Min
- Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Australia; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Australia
| | - Lois C Holloway
- Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Australia; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Australia; Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Australia
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25
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Vinod SK, Min M, Jameson MG, Holloway LC. A review of interventions to reduce inter-observer variability in volume delineation in radiation oncology. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2016; 60:393-406. [DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shalini K Vinod
- Cancer Therapy Centre; Liverpool Hospital; Liverpool New South Wales Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School; University of NSW; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Western Sydney University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Myo Min
- Cancer Therapy Centre; Liverpool Hospital; Liverpool New South Wales Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School; University of NSW; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Michael G Jameson
- Cancer Therapy Centre; Liverpool Hospital; Liverpool New South Wales Australia
- Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research; Liverpool Hospital; Liverpool New South Wales Australia
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics; University of Wollongong; Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Lois C Holloway
- Cancer Therapy Centre; Liverpool Hospital; Liverpool New South Wales Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School; University of NSW; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Western Sydney University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research; Liverpool Hospital; Liverpool New South Wales Australia
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26
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Eminowicz G, Rompokos V, Stacey C, McCormack M. The dosimetric impact of target volume delineation variation for cervical cancer radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2016; 120:493-499. [PMID: 27162158 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer inter-observer delineation variation has been demonstrated. This article addresses its dosimetric impact. METHODS 21 centres outlined two INTERLACE trial quality assurance test cases. A gold standard clinical target volume (GSCTV) was created from a consensus and STAPLE outline. RapidArc plans were created for all centres' planning target volumes (PTVs; PTV1+2). Gold standard PTVs (GSPTVs) were created for each plan by applying each centre's CTV-PTV margins to GSCTV. DVH parameters including D95% and Dmean for each PTV1+2 and GSPTV were compared, representing planned versus GSPTV delivered dose. PTV1+2 and GSPTV V95% was also calculated. RESULTS Reviewing all parameters, no plans achieved acceptable GSPTV coverage. GSPTV V95%⩾95% was not achieved for any plan. GSPTV V95%<90% in 15/21 (case 1) and 14/22 (case 2) and <80% in 2 plans from both cases. GSPTV V95% is on average 10-15% lower than planned and GSPTV D95% is 10-20% lower than planned. Most common GSCTV anatomical areas not receiving 95% dose were vagina, obturator and external iliac nodes and, in case 1, the superior nodal aspect. CONCLUSION Cervical cancer CTV delineation variation leads to significant reductions in dose delivered to GSPTV. This highlights the ongoing importance of standardising delineation in the IMRT era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Eminowicz
- Radiotherapy Department, University College London Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Rompokos
- Radiotherapy Department, University College London Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Stacey
- Radiotherapy Department, University College London Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Mary McCormack
- Radiotherapy Department, University College London Hospital, United Kingdom
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27
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Jameson MG, McNamara J, Bailey M, Metcalfe PE, Holloway LC, Foo K, Do V, Mileshkin L, Creutzberg CL, Khaw P. Results of the Australasian (Trans-Tasman Oncology Group) radiotherapy benchmarking exercise in preparation for participation in the PORTEC-3 trial. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2016; 60:554-9. [PMID: 27059658 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.12447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protocol deviations in Randomised Controlled Trials have been found to result in a significant decrease in survival and local control. In some cases, the magnitude of the detrimental effect can be larger than the anticipated benefits of the interventions involved. The implementation of appropriate quality assurance of radiotherapy measures for clinical trials has been found to result in fewer deviations from protocol. This paper reports on a benchmarking study conducted in preparation for the PORTEC-3 trial in Australasia. METHODS A benchmarking CT dataset was sent to each of the Australasian investigators, it was requested they contour and plan the case according to trial protocol using local treatment planning systems. These data was then sent back to Trans-Tasman Oncology Group for collation and analysis. RESULTS Thirty three investigators from eighteen institutions across Australia and New Zealand took part in the study. The mean clinical target volume (CTV) volume was 383.4 (228.5-497.8) cm(3) and the mean dose to a reference gold standard CTV was 48.8 (46.4-50.3) Gy. CONCLUSIONS Although there were some large differences in the contouring of the CTV and its constituent parts, these did not translate into large variations in dosimetry. Where individual investigators had deviations from the trial contouring protocol, feedback was provided. The results of this study will be used to compare with the international study QA for the PORTEC-3 trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Jameson
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jo McNamara
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Cancer & Haematology Network, Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Bailey
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Cancer & Haematology Network, Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter E Metcalfe
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lois C Holloway
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kerwyn Foo
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Viet Do
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Linda Mileshkin
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carien L Creutzberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pearly Khaw
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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28
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Pogson EM, Begg J, Jameson MG, Dempsey C, Latty D, Batumalai V, Lim A, Kandasamy K, Metcalfe PE, Holloway LC. A phantom assessment of achievable contouring concordance across multiple treatment planning systems. Radiother Oncol 2015; 117:438-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2015.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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29
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Peulen H, Belderbos J, Guckenberger M, Hope A, Grills I, van Herk M, Sonke JJ. Target delineation variability and corresponding margins of peripheral early stage NSCLC treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2015; 114:361-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Valentini V, Boldrini L, Damiani A, Muren LP. Recommendations on how to establish evidence from auto-segmentation software in radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2014; 112:317-20. [PMID: 25315862 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Valentini
- Radiation Oncology Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Boldrini
- Radiation Oncology Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Ludvig P Muren
- Department of Medical Physics, Aarhus University/Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
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